Happy HOLIDAYS!!!!!
Ohhhh my gosh I cannot even contain my excitement. It's DECEMBER!!! This is the time of year that excitable summer loving Southern Hemisphere dwelling people like me thrive on. First we get Josh's birthday (see, Christmas doesn't get in the way!) then Christmas, New Year and then 3 beautiful months of summer weather! YAYYYYYY!!!
But firstly, Christmas. And now I finally don't look like the total weirdo that I do tend to look like when I'm baking Christmas cookies in October. The actual time has come. Finally!
So obviously, it's only sensible to start of our Christmas holiday baking season with something that makes a super special Christmas morning breakfast - sweet, sticky cinnamon rolls - with maple glaze of course!
Start with a simple sweet bread dough. Don't be afraid of the yeast element - if you need a long winded explanation of how it works, go here! Let it rise and then roll out and sprinkle with a generous amount of sugar and cinnamon. The raisins are optional but I think they make them extra delicious. You can even just put them in half of the rolls which is what I usually do.
These cinnamon rolls with maple glaze really are the best. The rolls are soft and fluffy, the filling is delicious and the glaze takes them to a whole new level.
The rolls can be made ahead and heated through in the oven first thing in the morning before smothering in glaze and devouring. They are perfect for any time of year, but there is something about the cinnamon-y goodness that just screams Christmas. And what better way to start an exciting day!
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Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 Tablespoon active yeast
- ¼ cup sugar (divided)
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2 ½ cups high grade flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup warm milk
- 25 grams butter melted
- 1 egg
Topping
- 25 grams butter softened
- ½ cup sugar (brown or white)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- Optional: raisins or chopped walnuts or pecans
Maple glaze
- 1 cup icing sugar sifted
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl (the bowl for your stand mixer if using) add the yeast, 1 Tablespoon of sugar and warm water and whisk gently to combine. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is foamy.
- Add the remaining sugar, flour, salt, milk, butter and egg and knead using the dough hook on low speed, or by hand for about 10 minutes, or until the dough forms a soft ball that springs back when lightly pressed. The dough will be reasonably sticky but you should be able to handle it, so add slightly more flour if you need. Transfer into a large clean bowl and cover in gladwrap or a clean tea towel and put in a warm place to rise for 1 hour or until almost doubled in size.
- Tip the dough out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface and gently roll out into a rectangle that is 45cm x 25cm (approx).
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread the softened butter all over the dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture and raisins if using.
- With the longest edge close to you, tightly roll the dough up into a roll, pinching the edge slightly to seal.
- Using a sharp knife, slice into 10 pieces and place in a well greased baking dish leaving about 1cm gap between each roll.
- Cover the baking dish in gladwrap or the same tea towel and leave in a warm place to rise again for 30 minutes while the oven is heating.
- Pre-heat the oven to 180°C and bake for 15-20 minutes, checking after 12 minutes and covering with tinfoil if they are already looking brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before glazing and eating. If you are not eating the rolls immediately, skip the glaze step, cover the rolls and store at room temperature overnight or in the fridge for a couple of days until you are ready to use them. Heat through in the oven when you are ready to eat and then glaze them.
Glaze
- Mix all ingredients together in a small jug and pour over hot cinnamon rolls.
- Cinnamon rolls are best eaten the same day. They will keep covered for a couple of days but will need to be warmed first.
Lara Yamamoto says
Delicious! A nice spongy texture and no soggy uncooked bits.
Carrie says
I am not a skilled bread maker and feel like the dough is not coming out quite the right texture - if mixing with a stand mixer is the 10 minute timing the guideline or just for mixing by hand? Thank you so much! They were super yum anyway but would love to be even better next time!
Laura says
I usually do around 8 minutes with the stand mixer but sometimes if the dough feels a little tough, you might need to add slightly more water. You want the dough to be still kind of sticking to the base of the mixing bowl but clearing the sides!
Emma says
Fantastic easy to follow recipe that turns out perfectly. So delicious, a big hit with the family
Michelle says
Have made these twice now and they are so delicious. I am going to make these for Christmas morning but wondered at what point I can leave them so I only have to cook them xmas morning?
Laura says
Hi Michelle, I like to get them ready right up to the point of putting them in the oven (so shaping, slicing and letting them do their second rise in the baking tin) then covering and putting in the fridge overnight. The next morning I get them out of the fridge and let them warm up to room temperature before baking. They are awesome!
Leonia says
Hi Lauren. Love the recipe. Following up on Michelle’s question - does the fridge have to be in a certain temperature before taking it out to bake the next day?
Laura says
Hi Leonia, no specific temperature, I just make sure that the rolls have a good chance to come to room temperature before baking
Lauren says
Do you reckon this recipe would work in a bread maker (dough cycle of course)? I’m on the hunt for a new/better one. 😊
Laura says
Hi Lauren, I don't use a bread maker so I'm not sure, but it would definitely be worth a try!
Demi says
The best cinnamon rollls you will ever bake🤍
Jo says
Just made these for the 3rd time; Mr 5yo loves them (well, we all do but he requests them)!! I dropped the sugar content a bit and we still think they're great. As for your love of Christmas... I can vouch for you having been excited about Christmas for years... I remember a certain time you were supposed to wait till 6 to open your stocking; I'm not sure how many times between 5 and 6 you asked what the time was ;o)
Laura says
Hey Jo!! Haha that is so funny, we were just talking over Christmas about having Christmas with you guys when we were younger and I remember that too!! So glad you guys love these as well! Laura
Roneima says
Wow so delicious and scurmptatious. Absolutely exquisite. So wonderfully made. tysm
Laura says
I am so happy you enjoyed them!
Claire @ My Pink & Green Life says
These look scrumptious! We just made GF cinnamon rolls for the first time last week and I realized I hadn't had a cinnamon roll in forever--they're so delicious. Happy holidays to you, too, Laura! 🙂
Laura says
Thanks Claire! Yay that you made gluten free ones! I bet they were just as delicious 🙂
Kendel says
Oh my YUM. I think I just found my recipe to master for Christmas lunch!
Laura says
They're perfect for Christmas Kendel! You'll nail them! 🙂