Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients

• 20 g Fresh yeast (For the yeast starter.)
• 100 ml Lukewarm milk (For the yeast starter.)
• 1 tbsp Brown sugar (For the yeast starter.)
• 500 g All-purpose flour (Spelt flour can also be used.)
• 50 g Brown sugar (For the dough.)
• 200 ml Lukewarm milk (For the dough.)
• 1 Egg yolk
• 60 g Softened butter (Cut into cubes.)
• Salt (A pinch.)
• 150 g Butter (Melted; for the filling.)
• 200 g Sugar (The author used natural brown sugar; approximate amount.)
• 2 tsp Cinnamon (For the filling.)
• 40 g White chocolate (Optional, chopped.)
• 40 g Pecans (Optional, chopped.)
• 150 ml Whipping cream (Pour over the rolls before baking.)
• 250 g Mascarpone (For the icing.)
• 60 g Powdered sugar (For the mascarpone icing.)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the yeast starter: mix the fresh yeast, 100 ml of lukewarm milk, and 1 tbsp of brown sugar. Leave it to activate for approximately 20 minutes.

2. 2

   Place the flour, 50 g of sugar, 200 ml of lukewarm milk, egg yolk, salt, and the prepared yeast starter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Begin kneading.

3. 3

   Once all the ingredients have combined, add the softened butter cut into cubes. Knead for several minutes, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

4. 4

   Briefly knead the dough by hand and shape it into a ball. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for approximately 1 hour in a warm place.

5. 5

   While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by mixing the melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon.

6. 6

   Roll the risen dough out into a thin rectangle and spread the prepared filling evenly over it.

7. 7

   If using the optional ingredients, sprinkle the dough with the chopped white chocolate and pecans.

8. 8

   Divide the dough into 12 strips. Roll up each strip and place the rolls in a baking pan.

9. 9

   Cover the pan with a kitchen towel and let the rolls rise for another 15–20 minutes.

10. 10

    Before baking, pour approximately 150 ml of whipping cream over the rolls.

11. 11

    Bake at 180 °C for approximately 25 minutes. The time may depend on the oven setting used.

12. 12

    After baking, mix the mascarpone with the powdered sugar and spread the icing over the rolls.

13. 13

    Ideally, serve warm.

Notes

The optional chocolate version is listed in the transcription with white chocolate and pecans; the spoken commentary also mentions the option of replacing the cinnamon with cocoa, without specifying the amount. The source does not specify the type or size of the baking pan. Do not omit the cream before baking; according to the author, it makes the rolls moist.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• sweet pastry
• cinnamon rolls
• yeast-raised
• baked
• vegetarian
• breakfast
• Christmas