Holiday meals come with the unwanted gift of added pounds. Kacie Barnes, dietitian and Mommy Blogger in Dallas, is helping us make those holiday dessert staples, just a little healthier, without sacrificing the taste.
Barnes introduced us to Quick and healthy cinnamon rolls
Dough:
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour, plus more for flouring surfaces
- one ¼-oz package quick rise dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup warm milk (100-110°F)
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Filling:
- 2 packed tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Icing:
- 1 cup Greek plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, and lightly coat a 9”-round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare the dough: whisk together 1 cup of flour, yeast, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, stir together the milk, butter, and sugar. Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Continue to mix in the remaining flour, 2 tablespoons at a time.
- Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface, and knead for 3 minutes or until the dough springs back most of the way when you gently press your index finger into it. Let the dough rest while preparing the filling.
- Prepare the filling: stir together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- On a well-floured surface, roll the dough out into an approximately 16x10” rectangle. Brush with 1 tablespoon melted butter, leaving a 1” border on the two longer sides. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar, leaving a 1” border on the two longer sides again. Carefully roll up the dough into a long log, starting at one long edge and rolling tightly towards the other edge. Brush the free edge with water then pinch onto the roll to seal.
- Slice the log into 10-12 pieces using a sharp serrated knife. Place the rolls into the prepared pan. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 17-20 minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the sides feel firm. Cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before serving.
