For many people, tea and coffee times are life's little pleasures.
If accompanied by freshly-baked tea-time treats, this routine pleasure acquires the aura of a ceremony.
We never thought that we could make Cinnamon Rolls at home till Dhanya's mum sent us a sample from her first batch. They were gone in minutes and we followed it with a request for the recipe. She immediately obliged and we made our own batch the very next day.
These sinful spirals of sweetness are a perfect treat if you, dear readers, are planning a children's playdate or a tea/coffee with friends.
Here is Dhanya's mum's recipe with tweaked measurements:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
salt to taste
3 cups all purpose flour / maida
250 ml warm water
1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
Filling:
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 teaspoons cinnamon powder
1 cup walnuts, raisins, dates, etc. (optional, tastes better with walnuts though)
Icing:
1 cup caster sugar/icing sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder (of course!)
1-2 tablespoons milk
Method:
Mix butter and sugar.
Add egg and mix.
Add salt.
Dissolve yeast separately in warm water.
Add this water to the egg mixture alternately with the flour.
When perfectly mixed, knead on a well-floured board for 1-2 minutes.
Place the dough ball in a large, greased bowl and allow to rise till doubled in size.
When ready, punch down, knead, and roll out into a large oval.
Brush with melted butter.
Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon powder mixture.
Spread nuts.
Roll up tightly from the longest side and pinch the seams.
Slice at 1 inch intervals.
Place spirals in a greased baking tray, 1 inch apart.
Allow to rise for about 1 hour.
Bake in a preheated oven at 190 degree Celsius for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
Pour icing over hot rolls.
Enjoy your tea-time!
We tried making these with our favourite chappati atta once but they turned out neither delicious nor sinful.
As you know, dear reader, in this world, it is the sinful things which are most tempting. ;)
