Cottage Cheese Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup Cottage cheese (Blended completely smooth)
• 0.5 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1.25 cup All-purpose flour (Plus more as needed; add gradually until the dough is soft, springy, and not sticky)
• 0.75 cup Oat flour
• 1 tbsp Baking powder
• 0.25 tsp Salt (For the dough)
• 2 tbsp Butter or coconut oil (Melted)
• 4 tbsp Brown sugar or coconut sugar (Brown sugar gives a classic cinnamon-roll flavor; coconut sugar has a more caramel-like flavor)
• 3 tsp Ground cinnamon
• Salt (Pinch, for the filling)
• 2 tbsp Cream cheese (Softened; optional glaze)
• 3 tbsp Powdered sugar (For the optional glaze)
• 1 tsp Milk (Use as needed to make the glaze smooth and pourable)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

2. 2

   Blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until completely smooth. Transfer it to a large mixing bowl and stir in the vanilla extract.

3. 3

   Add the all-purpose flour, oat flour, baking powder, and dough salt. Stir just until a dough forms. Add additional all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon at a time only as needed, until the dough feels soft and springy rather than wet or sticky.

4. 4

   Lightly flour the work surface and gently roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Avoid overworking the dough, which can make the rolls dense.

5. 5

   In a small bowl, mix the melted butter or coconut oil, brown sugar or coconut sugar, cinnamon, and the pinch of filling salt into an even paste.

6. 6

   Spread the cinnamon-sugar paste evenly over the rolled dough using an offset spatula or butter knife, reaching close to the edges.

7. 7

   Starting at a long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log. Slice the log into small rolls approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Unflavored dental floss or a sharp serrated knife can be used for clean cuts.

8. 8

   Arrange the rolls snugly in the prepared baking dish, cut side up.

9. 9

   Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, checking at 20 minutes, until the rolls are golden and cooked through. Remove from the oven and let them cool for 5 minutes.

10. 10

    For the optional glaze, whisk the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and enough milk to make a smooth, pourable mixture.

11. 11

    Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls and serve.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in the oven until warm. The rolls may be frozen glazed or unglazed for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature or warm gently in a low oven. For make-ahead preparation, assemble the rolls, cover, refrigerate overnight, and bake straight from the refrigerator. Whole-wheat flour can replace the oat flour, or the oat flour can be replaced with additional all-purpose flour. Cottage cheese moisture varies, so add flour gradually.

Nutrition per serving

• breakfast
• dessert
• vegetarian
• high-protein
• baked
• no-yeast
• quick
• make-ahead