Homemade Cinnamon Rolls: Delicious Food Made Easy

After what felt like an eternity of gloomy weather, we’ve finally been blessed with a week of sunshine and pleasant temperatures. The warmth has been a welcome change, allowing us to spend more time outdoors, tending to the garden and soaking up the Vitamin D. While the good weather is a treat, the desire for comforting, delicious food never really goes away, does it? Sometimes, the best way to satisfy a craving for Delicious Food Near Me is to bring the deliciousness right into your own kitchen.

Even before the shift in weather, life had been a whirlwind. Between finalizing Karin’s cookbook, “Elegant Pie,” launching its website, and managing the boundless energy of our German Shepherd puppy, Halgrim, things were quite hectic. Just as we started to find a rhythm, the Covid-19 situation emerged, adding another layer of complexity to daily life.

For us, staying home has been a comfortable adjustment. We’re fortunate to have a beautiful home that we love, and we are healthy. Our hearts go out to those facing hardships during this time, especially those in confined spaces or directly impacted by the virus. Like everyone, we hope for a swift resolution to this challenging situation.

During the recent period of staying indoors, we found ourselves with more time to explore culinary creations. Karin, while continuing her artistry with decorated pies, felt a pull towards her baking roots. She decided to revisit her grandmother’s yeast dough recipe, a cherished family staple. This isn’t just any yeast dough; it’s remembered for its exceptional quality, especially when enjoyed fresh from the oven. Whether it’s for soft bread rolls, flavorful pizza bases, or irresistible sticky buns, this dough is simply unmatched.

To ensure the dough rises perfectly regardless of kitchen temperature fluctuations, Bruce ingeniously constructed a proofing box. You can find his DIY instructions on YouTube. Alternatively, a warm spot near a heater or a slightly warmed oven (door ajar and on the lowest setting) can also work wonders for proofing.

With yeast dough in mind, Karin decided to indulge in a classic sweet treat: Cinnamon Rolls. These aren’t just any cinnamon rolls; they are sticky, sweet, and utterly delicious – the kind of comfort food that truly hits the spot when you’re looking for delicious food near me, but want to enjoy it in the comfort of your home.

A Taste of Comfort: Grandma’s Cinnamon Roll Recipe

This recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a taste of nostalgia, passed down through generations. It’s surprisingly simple to make, yet yields incredibly flavorful and satisfying cinnamon rolls that rival anything you might find at a bakery. Forget searching for “delicious food near me”; with this recipe, you can create deliciousness in your own kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Delicious Cinnamon Rolls

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delectable homemade cinnamon rolls:

For the Dough:

• 750 g (6 cups) pastry flour (or all-purpose flour) – Using pastry flour will result in a more tender roll, but all-purpose works perfectly well.
• 125 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter – Adds richness and flavor to the dough.
• 125 g (2/3 cup) sugar – Provides sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
• 300 ml (1-1/4 cup) milk – Warms to create the perfect environment for yeast to thrive.
• 1 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• 1 cube fresh yeast (50 g) or 2 packets of dry yeast (14 g) – The leavening agent that makes the rolls light and fluffy.

For the Filling:

• 225 g (2 sticks) butter (softened, but not melted) – Creates a rich and gooey cinnamon filling.
• 2 Tablespoons of ground cinnamon – The star spice that gives cinnamon rolls their signature flavor.
• 300 g (1-1/4 cup) dark brown sugar – Adds a deep molasses flavor and sweetness to the filling.

For the Glaze:

• 1 cup (200 g) confectioner’s sugar – The base for a sweet and smooth glaze.
• 2-3 Tablespoons lemon juice, milk, or water – Used to adjust the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency. Lemon juice adds a touch of tang, while milk or water creates a classic sweet glaze.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste (optional) – Enhances the glaze with a warm vanilla note.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

Follow these instructions to bake a batch of warm, gooey, and utterly delicious cinnamon rolls:

1. Prepare the Yeast Sponge: In a large bowl, place the flour and create a well in the center. Warm half of the milk until it’s lukewarm to the touch. Pour the warm milk into the well, crumble in the fresh yeast (or sprinkle in dry yeast), and add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Cover the bowl and let it sit in a warm place for 30 minutes. This allows the yeast to activate and create a bubbly sponge.

2. Prepare the Baking Pan: Butter or spray the bottom and sides of a 28 cm (approximately 11-inch) springform pan. This prevents the rolls from sticking and ensures easy removal after baking.

3. Make the Dough: After 30 minutes, add the remaining dough ingredients to the bowl with the yeast sponge. Knead the mixture until a smooth and elastic dough forms. This may take 5-7 minutes by hand or less if using a stand mixer. Cover the bowl again and place it in a warm place for 1 hour to rise. The dough should double in size.

4. Prepare the Filling: While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. In a separate medium bowl, place the softened butter. Gradually add the sugar mixture to the butter, mixing with a fork until fully incorporated and creamy. Set aside at room temperature. Do not refrigerate, as you want the filling to be spreadable.

5. Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls: Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down gently to release air. Place the dough on a lightly floured work surface and roll it out into a rectangle approximately 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick and 30 cm wide x 40 cm (12 x 15 inches) long.

   Using a long palette knife or spatula, evenly spread the cinnamon-butter filling over the rolled-out dough, leaving a clean edge of about 1 cm (1/2 inch) along one long side.

6. Roll and Cut: Starting from the long side closest to you, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Cut the log into sections roughly 4.5 cm (1.5 inches) thick.

7. Second Rise: Place the cinnamon roll sections in the prepared springform pan, cut side up. Cover the pan with a tea towel and let them rise in a warm place for another 30 minutes. This second rise will make the rolls even lighter and fluffier.

8. Bake: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Place the pan of cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

9. Cool and Glaze: Let the baked cinnamon rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes before glazing.

10. Make the Glaze: While the rolls are cooling, prepare the glaze. In a bowl, whisk together the confectioner’s sugar and liquid (lemon juice, milk, or water), adding the liquid gradually until you reach your desired consistency. It should be liquid enough to drizzle but not too runny. Stir in vanilla extract or paste, if using.

11. Glaze and Serve: Generously drizzle the glaze over the slightly cooled cinnamon rolls.

Tips for Extra Delicious Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

• Flour Power: For the most tender rolls, use pastry flour. If you only have all-purpose flour, that will work too, but the texture might be slightly denser.
• Yeast is Key: Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise. If using dry yeast, check the expiration date.
• Knead it Well: Proper kneading develops gluten, which gives the rolls their structure and chewiness. Don’t skimp on this step!
• Warmth for Rising: Yeast thrives in warm environments. Find a consistently warm spot in your kitchen for proofing the dough. A slightly warmed oven (turned off!) or a warm corner can work wonders.
• Glaze Consistency: Adjust the amount of liquid in the glaze to achieve your preferred thickness. For a thinner glaze, add more liquid; for a thicker glaze, use less.
• Vanilla Variation: If you’re concerned about the slight discoloration vanilla extract can cause in white glaze, you can omit it or look for clear vanilla extract.
• Serving Suggestion: Cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed warm, when they are still slightly gooey and the glaze is perfectly sticky. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet treat any time of day.

These homemade cinnamon rolls are truly irresistible. Once you take a bite of these warm, sticky, and flavorful rolls, you’ll understand why searching for “delicious food near me” might just lead you back to your own kitchen. They are incredibly moreish – it’s hard to stop at just one!

Guten Appetit!