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Healthy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe - Cinnamon Buns

By Stephanie Gallagher, About.com

cinnamon rolls recipe

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

Stephanie Gallagher
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:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.

  2. Place the ricotta cheese, tofu, buttermilk, 2 tablespoons of the melted butter and sugar in a food processor. Puree until smooth.

  3. 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.

  4. Turn dough out onto a lightly-floured surface, and knead 5 to 6 times.

  5. Roll dough out into a 12 x 14 rectangle.

  6. 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.

  7. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice. Sprinkle evenly over the dough, again, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

  8. Top with walnuts, if desired

  9. 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.

  10. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool 10 minutes.

  11. In a small bowl, beat the powdered sugar and milk together until smooth. Drizzle over the cinnamon rolls.
Serve warm.
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