Bringing it Back! DOUGH variety: Part 1- Cinnamon Buns

So remember that first post? The one with “The Most Versatile Recipe?” We’re circling back! We’re doing it again but it's gonna be sweeter and rounder!

As promised, this is part 1 of an unknown amount of ways you can use the simple bread dough form my first post. I'm still finding new ways and new flavours to mess around with so I really don't know how many parts this series will have which excited me!

This is one of my partner’s favourite foods and when I found this recipe and they told me I could make it we were both over the moon! And in addition to being able to create a classic you can add even more variety with different fillings! Even better you can make it sweet or savoury; I stuck with some sweet options this time but if you’re interested in how to make a dinner version let me know in the comments below!

So what are we making!? If you missed the title, it's Cinnamon rolls! (well, chai spice rolls, apple cinnamon rolls, cream cheese and jam rolls and maple and brown sugar rolls)

So before we get into the fun stuff, you need to flip back to the recipe. DOUGH For those of you comfortable with it already I’ll leave the short and gritty here:

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups Flour
1 tsp Salt

2 1/2 tsp Yeast
1 1/2 tsp Sugar

2 tbsp Oil
1 cup Warm water

Directions:

1. Mix first two ingredients.
2a. If you're using active cry yeast include the next two ingredients.
2b. If you're using traditional yeast mix last four ingredients together and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Add wet to dry, mix in the bowl until it comes together into a ball.
4. Turn out onto floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes adding small amounts of flour when it becomes too sticky.
5. Place in greased loaf pan and cover with a clean tea towel. Allow to rise for 40 minutes

CINNAMON ROLLS

1 batch Dough

2 tsp spices

sweetener to taste

and/or

1/4 filling

Okay, so once you have your dough made and you’ve proofed it that’s where we start getting fun with it!

Take your dough, turn it out on a lightly floured surface and grab your rolling pin.

Roll that bad boy out into a rectangle. (I forgot a picture of this step! But I have faith in you guys)

I then cut mine into four equal strips but this is not necessary. I only did this to do multiple flavours!

This is where things change up a bit but basically, spread your filling and sprinkle your spices across the whole thing.

** pro tip ** Brushing a little melted butter helps those spices stick if you haven't used a saucy filling

Start rolling it up.

** pro tip ** If you’re using something thicker like jam think more about folding than rolling so you don't squeeze out all that yummy goodness! If there's a little space that fine because were going to let them rise a little bit more before baking them

** witchy tip ** as you roll your dough envision your intention being rolled up with your ingredients and as you pinch it view it as sealing in your wishes

Once you have a log rolled, lightly pinch the edge together with the layer beneath it and then slice into smaller logs about 1.5 inches in height but change it up as you see fit for serving size or yield. I usually get 12 out of the dough recipe.

** pro tip ** A pizza cutter works surprisingly well to cut them. I prefer anything straight edge, you'd THINK a bread knife would be the best option but i find the dough too pliable and it moves around a lot. Of course, experiment and find out what works best for you. The outcome (and safety) is far more important than using the "right” tool.

This next part has some options. You can cook the rolls on a greased cookie sheet OR in a greased casserole dish. This depends on how much you want them to spread out and also if you mind them sticking together a bit. I usually do them in casserole dish and they end up being a little like pull apart bread but I like that I can control the size a bit better. let your rolls rise for 15 minutes while you preheat the oven to 360.

Place in the oven preheated to 360 and bake for 20-25 minutes (the juicier and closer together your rolls the longer you will need to bake them). Let sit for 5 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack. You can serve right away or pack them up for future breakfasts in an airtight container.

Now for some filling options besides just cinnamon!

(For the witchy part I’m gonna do something a little different since we’ve seen a lot of these ingredients already, if you’d be interested in me adding a growing list of correspondences to this blog let me know!)

Chai spice (or just cinnamon):

Brush a little melted butter and then simply sprinkle it on. If you wanna go for a chai spice over your classic cinnamon try adding some ginger, cloves, cardamom and nutmeg. Don't forget to sweeten them with a little sugar and a small pinch of salt.

I view chai (and cinnamon in general) as warm, inviting and cozy. I’d use this variety when you have family and friends coming over and you want to make sure everyone feels welcome or just during the winter and you want a little actual warmth!

Cream cheese and jam:

I mixed a little sugar into the cream cheese, placed it in the microwave for about 15 seconds to make it spreadable. Spread it across the dough, dollop some jam of your choosing and spread that across too! It really is that simple!

This will change a little depending on what kind of jam you're using but in general this match gives me a creative vibe. It's a little adventurous so if you're in a creative rut roll up some creativity intentions in this one!

Apple and cinnamon:

Spread a little applesauce and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.

This combination reminds me of childhood so if you're working on your inner child or needs a boost to nostalgia this is the variety for you!

Maple and brown sugar:

Because Canada! Spread out your brown sugar and then lightly drizzle with real maple syrup!

Soothing the psyche and sweetening your self vision. When you feel like you've been getting down on yourself lately throw some self love into your rolls with maple and brown sugar!

Try out some of your own spice and filling creations and let me know what you came up with! Tag me on Instagram @cooking_with_spirit, catch me over on Facebook, and follow me in the sidebar!

The Short and Gritty

Ingredients:

1 batch Dough

2 tsp spices

sweetener to taste

and/or

1/4 filling

Directions:

1. Follow the dough recipe right up until after you've proofed it

2. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and flatten into a rectangle with a rolling pin

3. Spread your choice of filling, sweetener and/or spices across the whole thing

4. Roll it up into a log

5. Cut into 1.5 inch thick rounds

6. Place on a greased pan or in a greased casserole container and

7. Allow to rise for 15 minutes while you preheat the oven to 360

8. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 360