Cinnamon rolls

VEGAN CINNAMON ROLLS

Ok, so this time it's not something you reach out for health reasons. 

It's not super healthy but also won't do you harm enjoying it once in a while.

The story of it starts something like that....

Once I wanted something sweet and decided trying to make cinnamon rolls. I never liked "dealing" with the dough. But, it worked well and I kept the recipe.

One day the covid-19 pandemics started. Me and my family had to stay at home for about 6-7 weeks without going out. I know, crazy. So it was tough. I am used to walking, talking, doing things. But not being at home all the time. My body started to hurt, I didn't know where to put myself. Don't ask about my kids... Tough. 

So one would think: "how on Earth covid-19 and cinnamon rolls are connected?" :) Well.. Let me tell you, that just climbing the walls didn't help me much. So I needed to find more activities and movement for me and my kids. Here comes the cooking part :) It was a good activity. And in order to make it nice, you have to "work"/exercise with the dough :)

From the time of pandemic I realized that I like kneading dough :) And not only that. I also like (to make and to eat) cinnamon rolls.

So what is good or interesting about/in cinnamon rolls?

Lets see:

Vegan butter has less saturated fat and no cholesterol compared with the "real thing" (butter). But the exact value of vegan butter/margarine you have to check on the exact product you choose.

Yeast can provide proteins and group B vitamins, potassium, zinc and other vitamins and minerals. It can help you absorb vitamins and minerals from your food, and even fight disease. But be aware that too much of it can also cause you health problems (just as always I will add that everything needs to be in balance and you need to find yours).

Almond milk has a nutty, creamy flavor and it is rich in vitamin E which helps to have your skin and eyes healthy. Almond milk is low in sugar and low in calories. It also often comes enriched with calcium, vitamin D and B12.

Creamy almond milk

Agave syrup. I avoid white refined sugar as much as possible and search for alternatives. One of those alternatives I use is agave syrup. It has lower glycemic index which means they are more slowly digested, absorbed and metabolized and cause a lower and slower rise in blood glucose and, therefore usually, insulin levels.

Salt. Salt (sodium chloride) It is the only family of rocks regularly eaten by people. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends less than 5 grams of salt per day, which is equal to one teaspoon.

Salty salt

All purpose flour is super popular/common. It is cheap and easy to use because of it's softer texture (than, for example, full grain). It is a a good source of selenium, copper, iron, zinc and vitamin B6. It provides with protein, vitamins and fiber.

Did you know that flour dust suspended in air is explosive (just as is any mixture of a finely powdered flammable substance with air)? :)

All purpose flour

Coconut sugar is lower than table sugar on the glycemic index. Coconut sugar, compared with white refined sugar, undergoes much less processing, so it is able to retain some of its natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Quantities are low, still there they are :)

Coconut Sugar is produced from the nectar of coconut flower. The nectar is an all year round produced material and therefore provides a continuous supply of coconut sugar. On top of this, coconut is a permanent crop and therefore makes it an environmentally friendly crop because it does not require to be cut and burnt down, which means none to a very minimum carbon is released from coconut farming.

Cinnamon is known for its medical properties for thousand of years. It can be used as a natural food preservative. Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It also has powerful anti-diabetic effect. Cinnamon helps fight fungal infections and has many other beneficial features to our bodies. So use and enjoy it if you can :) 

Helpful cinnamon

Olive oil can offer powerful health benefits. Extra virgin olive oil is considered to be the best option to buy. Olive oil is a powerful source of antioxidants, it can help to reduce risk of heart disease and protect against stroke. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and K. It is also said that olive oil has anti-inflammatory effects.

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp of vegan butter

2 1/2 tsp of yeast

1 cup vegan milk

1 Tbsp agave syrup

1/4 tsp salt

3 cups of flour

A bit of olive oil (for coating with)

 

Filling:

These norms are orentative. If you like it sweeter or less sweet, please adopt the recipe to your needs. I always try to use less sugar and other type of sweeteners and so I am used to less sweet food. What is sweet for me, it's really not for my partner and/or kids. 

3 Tbsp of vegan butter

1/4 cup of coconut sugar

1 Tbsp of cinnamon

How to make the dough:

1. Prepare a large bowl. Warm up vegan milk (do not reach boiling, it should be warm but not too hot not to kill yeast) and mix it in a bowl with vegan butter to melt down.

2. Add yeast. Mix it and leave it for 10-15 minutes to activate.

3. Add agave syrup and salt. Mix it again.

4. Slowly add flour. Mix it. And when you have added the whole amount of it start kneading.

5. Then coat it with olive oil and leave it in a covered bowl for around an hour. 

Preparing the rolls:

6. Roll out the dough in a shape of a rectangle. Cover it with vegan butter.

7. Add coconut sugar and cinnamon.

8. Roll up prepared dough and slice it with a knife (I slice into pieces of about 4 cm long). Brush it with melted vegan butter.

9. Preheat the oven 175C. And place the rolls in and bake it for around 20 min. The length of baking depends on the size of the rolls and if you like it more raw or not.

If I make more of it I like to freeze it so I can take it and enjoy it later.