Cinnamon Rolls

Learn how to make cinnamon rolls for a sweet treat. Substituting whole-wheat flour for some of the white flour makes these healthy cinnamon rolls more nutritious.

Cinnamon Rolls
Photo: Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Kady Wohlfarth / Kay Clarke
Cook Time:
35 mins
Additional Time:
2 hrs 25 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs
Servings:
12
Yield:
12 cinnamon rolls
Nutrition Profile:

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2-4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

  • 1 cup whole-wheat flour

  • 1 package active dry yeast, (1 tablespoon)

  • ½ cup nonfat cottage cheese

  • 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon nonfat milk, divided

  • cup granulated sugar

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

  • 1 large egg white

  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar

  • ¼ cup dark corn syrup

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ cup golden raisins

  • ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans

  • 1 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar

  • 1-2 tablespoons nonfat milk

  • 1 teaspoon corn syrup

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. To make dough: Combine 1 1/2 cups white flour, whole-wheat flour and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Place cottage cheese in a cheesecloth-lined sieve over a bowl. Gather cheesecloth into a ball and squeeze out moisture from cottage cheese. (You should have about 1/4 cup of solids remaining.)

  2. Transfer the cottage-cheese solids to the sieve and press them through the sieve into a small saucepan. Stir in 1 cup milk, granulated sugar, oil and salt; heat, stirring, until warm (120-130 degrees F). Stir into the flour mixture. Add eggs and egg white; beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping the sides of the bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon (or dough hook of mixer), stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour.

  3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, adding enough of the remaining flour to make a soft, smooth dough. (It will be slightly sticky.) Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and turn once. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

  4. To make filling and bake rolls: Combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup corn syrup and cinnamon in a small saucepan; heat gently, stirring, until smooth. Set aside to cool.

  5. Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll or pat into a 12-by-18-inch rectangle.

  6. Spread the brown-sugar mixture over the dough. Sprinkle with raisins and pecans. Starting at the long edge, roll up jelly-roll fashion. Pinch the edges of dough together along the length of the roll. With a sharp knife, slice the roll into 12 pieces. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and place the cinnamon rolls, cut-side up and slightly apart, in the dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled, about 45 minutes.

  7. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Brush rolls with remaining 1 tablespoon milk. Bake until light brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool slightly in the pan.

  8. To make glaze: Stir together confectioners' sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon corn syrup and vanilla in a small bowl. Add more milk, if necessary, to make a drizzling consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the rolls and serve them warm.

To make ahead

Prepare through Step 6 and refrigerate for 2 to 24 hours. Let stand in a warm place for 30 minutes before continuing with Step 7.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

363 Calories
5g Fat
72g Carbs
9g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 363
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 72g 26%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 37g
Protein 9g 17%
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Cholesterol 32mg 11%
Vitamin A 53IU 1%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Folate 24mcg 6%
Sodium 171mg 7%
Calcium 63mg 5%
Iron 2mg 13%
Magnesium 31mg 7%
Potassium 191mg 4%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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