Vegan & Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

When I first became vegan 4 years ago, I thought it meant saying goodbye to certain foods- cinnamon rolls being one- and so I lived without cinnamon rolls for 3 years. For me cinnamon rolls are nostalgic, they remind me of childhood- laughter, family and contentment. It wasn't until this past year that I experienced my first vegan cinnamon roll. I was surprised to find that it was just as gooey and sweet as I remembered. Since then I've played around in the kitchen, determined to unveil the ultimate Vegan and GF cinnamon roll recipe.

Through many trials and errors I found a recipe that works like a charm. This recipe creates the ultimate Vegan and GF cinnamon rolls, so get excited!

   * For this creation I use Gluten Free flour, you can use regular flour if you wish. Regular flour will allow the dough to rise more, and create a fluffier roll once complete. Both work, just is a matter of preference. 

Dough

1 Cup almond milk

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp maple syrup 

1/4 cup melted butter

1 packet active dry yeast

2 1/2 cups GF flour

Filling

1/3 Cup softened vegan butter

2/3 cup brown sugar (sub for other sugar if you'd like)

2 tsp cinnamon

Frosting

1/2 cup vegan cream cheese

1/4 cup vegan butter

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

How To

Start with the dough. Mix the maple syrup, melted vegan butter, salt and the almond milk together. Next dust the top of the mixture with the yeast and leave for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes, mix in the GF flour until dough starts to form. Keep the dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for an hour

Now that the dough rose, move it to a flowered surface for shaping. roll it into a rectangle ensuring 1/2 inch in height. After you will spread the butter, then sugar and finally the cinnamon covering the entirety of the dough. Carefuly roll it into a burrito like shape and cut into 8 different wheels. 

Move wheels into a baking dish, place a towel over them and let them rise for another 35 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350

Remove your towel, and place in the oven to bake for 30-35 minutes.

While the wheels are in the oven, create the frosting. Mix the vegan cream cheese, vegan butter and powdered sugar all together to create a delicious icing. 

Pull rolls out of the oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Apply frosting, and dig in!

With a full belly and happy heart,

RB