Cinnamon Buns

Anyone who gives you a cinnamon roll fresh out of the oven is a friend for life.

Daniel Handler

I love cinnamon buns but haven’t eaten them in years, thanks to the Pillsbury pre-made packages filled with dairy ingredients. I have finally mastered a dairy free recipe from scratch, and let me tell you, these were a HIT with my friends. Not too sweet, not overly cinnamon-y – these are the perfect addition to your next Sunday brunch.

Disclaimer: The dough needs about an hour to rise, so time your cooking accordingly. You don’t want your guests to wait until lunch to eat breakfast!

Me being an absolute nerd in my cow printed apron, coating the dough in cinnamon. P.S. The glass Corona bottle wasn’t consumed – it was used as a roller for the dough. (Was using someone else’s kitchen for brunch) College hacks, am I right?

INGREDIENTS

Dough

• 2-1/2 cups flour
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 package of active dry yeast (comes in .25 oz sizes)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 2-1/2 tbsp dairy free butter (used Smart Balance as usual)
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp SOFTENED BUT NOT MELTED dairy free butter
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Glaze

• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 2 tbsp almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

STEPS

1. Toss flour, sugar, salt, and yeast together in a bowl.
2. Heat the milk, water, and butter in the microwave for 30 seconds on high power. Then, stir into dry mixture.
3. Add the egg and mix well. Knead the dough for a few minutes, ensuring everything is evenly dispersed and the dough is sticky. (If it sticks too much to your fingers, add a little flour.
4. Let the dough chill out for a few. Meanwhile, mix together the cinnamon and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a separate bowl.
5. Flour your countertop a bit and roll out the dough into a long rectangle. It should be a little over a foot long and around 6-8 inches wide.
6. Spread the softened butter all over the dough, then evenly sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar. Roll up the dough hot-dog style (kinda like you’re making sushi!)
7. Slice the log into 10-12 rolls and place in a greased round pan. Now, let the dough rise for about an hour. Partly cover the pan in aluminum foil, but make sure some air can get in.
8. Once the dough has risen, preheat the oven to 375F. While it heats up, make the glaze! (Just mix the 3 ingredients listed above).
9. Cook your buns for about 20 – 25 minutes. I like mine gooey in the middle so I removed mine at 20, but to each their own. Pour the glaze on top, and there you go!