Cinnamon Roll for One

Enjoy a delicious, homemade cinnamon roll with this make-ahead recipe. This recipe yields eight rolls, so you can make the rolls in advance and store them in the freezer, then just pop one out when you're ready to bake. These rolls are made with whole-grain flour and have less sugar than most cinnamon roll recipes, but they're packed with flavor and just as fun to eat.

a recipe photo for the Cinnamon Roll for One
Photo: Sara Haas
Active Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 55 mins
Servings:
8

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast

  • ½ cup nonfat milk, heated to 110-115℉

  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon, divided

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling

  • ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon whole-wheat flour

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 large egg, at room temperature

  • Cooking spray

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 3 tablespoons plus 1 3/4 teaspoons packed light brown sugar, divided

Directions

  1. Combine yeast, warm milk and 1 teaspoon sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitting with the dough hook attachment; let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, salt and egg. Mix on medium-low speed until just combined, about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl loosely with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let rest for 20 minutes.

  2. Uncover the bowl and knead the mixture at medium-low speed until a soft, tacky dough forms, 5 to 8 minutes. Coat a large bowl generously with cooking spray. Transfer the dough to the bowl; turn a few times to coat with the cooking spray. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

  3. Punch down the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out into a 10-by 8-inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over the top. Combine cinnamon and 2 tablespoons plus 2 3/4 teaspoons brown sugar in a small bowl; sprinkle over the butter. Starting from a long side, tightly roll up the dough. Cut the log into 8 portions by sliding a long strand of unflavored dental floss under the log, crossing the ends over the top and pulling to cut the dough.

  4. Place 7 rolls on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Lightly cover and place in the freezer. (Once the rolls are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.)

  5. Coat an 8-ounce soufflé dish or high-sided ramekin with cooking spray; dust the bottom with 1/4 teaspoon brown sugar. Place 1 roll in the prepared dish (or ramekin). Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

  6. When about 15 minutes remain in the second rise, preheat oven to 375°F.

  7. Bake the roll, uncovered, until light brown on top, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then invert the dish (or ramekin) to release the roll.

To make ahead

Prepare rolls through Step 4 and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding with Step 5.

Equipment

Unflavored dental floss, 8-ounce soufflé dish or high-sided ramekin, parchment paper

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

172 Calories
4g Fat
30g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 172
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 9g
Added Sugars 8g 16%
Protein 5g 10%
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Vitamin A 156IU 3%
Vitamin D 12IU 3%
Folate 66mcg 17%
Vitamin K 1mcg 1%
Sodium 137mg 6%
Calcium 36mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%
Magnesium 23mg 5%
Potassium 101mg 2%
Zinc 1mg 9%

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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