Normally, cinnamon rolls take several hours to prepare. But this easy cinnamon rolls recipe takes less than an hour (45 to 50 minutes from start to finish).
Even better: These cinnamon buns are a bit healthier than the typical cinnamon rolls. This recipe has with less butter and sugar than typical cinnamon rolls. And I use whole wheat pastry flour, too.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup silken lite tofu
- 1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
- 4 Tbsp. butter, melted and divided
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole grain pastry flour
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. allspice
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp. milk
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.
- Place the ricotta cheese, tofu, buttermilk, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter and sugar in a food processor. Puree until smooth.
- Add the flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pulse 10 to 12 times until the mixture forms a soft dough. Do not overprocess; just pulse until the dough comes together in a ball.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly-floured surface, and knead 5 to 6 times.
- Roll dough out into a 12 x 14 rectangle.
- Using a pastry brush, spread the remaining two tablespoons of melted butter over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border all the way around.
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice. Sprinkle evenly over the dough, again, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
- Top with walnuts, if desired
- Roll dough up tightly, jelly roll style, from the long end. Slice crosswise into 1-inch wide rolls. Place in prepared cake pan with cinnamon swirl side up. It's okay if the buns are touching.
- Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, beat the powdered sugar and milk together until smooth. Drizzle over the cinnamon rolls.
