Most of the time, I try to create recipes that aren't quite as sugar-packed as these little beauties, but one thing I really want to stress on my blog is that EVERY food is okay in a healthy diet. You can indulge in sweet treats in moderation. Just please don't eat all these rolls in one sitting...although I know it will be hard.
I adopted this recipe with some slight alterations to make it my own from the website A Beautiful Mess. Here's the original recipe link: http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/09/whiskey-cinnamon-rolls.html
2 1/4 teaspoon (1 package) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup + a pinch of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup softened butter
1 cup hot milk
1 egg
1 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
For the Glaze:
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons whiskey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
Stir together the warm water plus a pinch of sugar. Stir the yeast into the water and allow this to sit and bubble for a 5-8 minutes until it starts to look foamy.
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, salt, butter and milk. I simply warmed the milk in the microwave--you just need it warm enough to help melt the butter.
Stir everything together and then allow to cool to room temperature.
Stir in the egg (make sure the mixture is cool first, otherwise it will coagulate and start to cook the egg). Stir in the flour, 1 cup at a time until a very soft dough forms. Continue to knead for a few minutes, but DO NOT over-knead or the cinnamon roll dough will turn out tough after baking. The dough should be very soft but should hold together pretty well. If it doesn't hold together add another tablespoon of flour.
Healthy Recipe Makeover Ideas
- Substitute all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour (I used 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 all-purpose for this recipe attempt--but you could certainly do all whole wheat flour)
- Use Stevia as the sugar with the cinammon/sugar sprinkled on the inside of the cinnamon rolls
- Instead of topping with the whiskey glaze, top with a good quality honey or 100% pure maple syrup
- Leave out the whiskey for a more kid-friendly treat and just use all milk for the liquid in the glaze