cinnamon rolls

I made these cinnamon rolls for my son’s breakfast on a blustery October Saturday morning. He was headed out to work and needed something warm and filling. He works as an attendant at a beautiful park near our home, and the thought of being out in the cold morning air motivated me to crank out some comfort food for him.

Here’s what you need:

2 C flour

1 T baking powder

1 t salt

¼ t baking soda

¼ C vegetable oil

¾ C buttermilk

1 stick butter – softened. (1 T for greasing the pan)

½ C sugar

1 ½ t cinnamon

One comment regarding buttermilk: I never have it fresh in the fridge when I want it, but I have found that using powdered buttermilk for baking is a great solution. The proportion is 4 T + 1C water = 1 C fresh buttermilk. Couldn’t be easier…..

Here’s what you do:

Mix dry ingredients -flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda. If using powdered buttermilk, then add the dry buttermilk now.

Add the oil. If using powdered buttermilk, here is where you add the ¾ C water.

Mix until a ball forms, turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth – about 1 minute.

Roll out to a 15x8 rectangle (I use a measuring tape)

Smear the softened butter over the dough with a small rubber spatula. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the butter.

Roll the dough like a jellyroll starting on the long side. Slice into 1 ½ inch slices and place in buttered pan. Gather all the cinnamon that escapes and sprinkle it on the rolls. Bake for about 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

Turn out onto a plate for the prettiest presentation, but feel to eat them right from the pan – so good….. Today I drizzled the smallest bit of frosting over them, but they do not need it. (1/2 C powdered sugar and a few teaspoons of milk)

I packed 3 rolls in foil for Rob’s breakfast to go and also made a thermos of hot chocolate. He stood at the counter and ate a roll on the spot and also snuck another in the foil package for his breakfast. They are irresistible!

Now’s here the rest of the story……. Powdered buttermilk all over the floor…… I only said, “Shoot” because my kid was in the room…..Oh, there's nothing quite like washing the kitchen floor at 8:30 in the morning, is there?

(printable recipe)