web analytics

White Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

White Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon rolls aren’t the healthiest breakfast treat – but that’s probably why they’re considered to be a breakfast treat in the first place and not a breakfast staple. But homemade cinnamon rolls give you a little more control over what goes into your treats and you can do things like make them with a little bit less butter or, like these rolls, with some whole grain flour instead of all white flour. It’s not a huge change, but it can help cinnamon rolls work their way into the breakfast rotation a little more often.

A great substitution for all purpose flour in yeast breads is white whole wheat flour, as it has lots of whole grains but is close to the look and feel of all purpose flour. Regular whole wheat flour can make breads a little bit dense and, since it has less gluten in it than all purpose, breads can be a little bit crumbly. This isn’t really the case with the white whole wheat, which falls somewhere between the two extremes. The rolls aren’t too heavy, but are tender and soft, with a subtle nutty, whole grain flavor to them.

The dough was great, very easy to work with. It requires a slightly long first rise, then is rolled out and filled with butter, cinnamon and sugar. The dough is rolled up into a log, sliced into individual rolls and place in a baking dish. Once you reach this point, the dough can either be refrigerated overnight (my preference, so I can have the rolls in the morning) or let them rise and bake right away. I top mine with a simple glaze made with confectioners’ sugar, milk and vanilla extract. It adds just the right amount of sweetness without making the rolls too gooey or hard to handle. 

White Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
2 1/2 tsp (.25 oz) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water, about 100-110F
3 – 3 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 tsp salt

 

1/4 cup butter, room temperature
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp coarse sugar/regular sugar

In a large bowl, stir together active dry yeast and warm water. Let stand for about 5 minutes, until bubbly.
Add in 2 cups white whole wheat flour, sugar, buttermilk, butter, vanilla and salt. Stir well, until dough is smooth.
Gradually add in remaining white whole wheat flour until dough comes together into a slightly sticky ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until dough is smooth. Add additional flour if dough becomes too sticky. Dough should be “tacky” but not wet.
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 – 2 hours.

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Press dough gently into a rectangle. Roll dough out into a sheet about 12 x 16-inches.
Spread rolled out dough with softened butter, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Sprinkle evenly with cinnamon, brown sugar and coarse sugar.
Working with one of the long sides, roll dough up tightly into a log. Pinch the seam down to seal. Cut off any excess from the ends of the log. Divide log into 12 even pieces and cut with a very sharp knife, taking care not to smush the log. Transfer slices into the prepared pan, making rows three down and four across. Leave equal spacing between the rolls.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Place refrigerated rolls on the counter for about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 12

Vanilla Glaze
2/3 cup confectioners sugar
2-3 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk all glaze ingredients together in a small bowl. Add additional milk or confectioners’ sugar, as needed, to make glaze pourable.
Drizzle over cinnamon rolls while still warm.

Share this article

54 Comments
  • tracieMoo
    September 2, 2009

    I love cinnamon rolls.. and the sound of whole wheat makes it even better!

  • tracieMoo
    September 3, 2009

    I love cinnamon rolls.. and the sound of whole wheat makes it even better!
    BTW I love your blog!

  • Emily
    September 3, 2009

    Yummm. I go crazy for homemade cinnamon rolls.

  • Ashley
    September 5, 2009

    Ooo excellent healthier variation on one of my favourite treats!!

  • Jennifer
    September 6, 2009

    I made these this morning. They are so yummy! and it was my first time making cinnamon rolls! great recipes!

  • Terri
    September 11, 2009

    I’m anxious to try your version with the whole wheat flour. I just love cinnamon rolls, but ones that are a “little” better for you is making me itchy to get started on them!

  • Samoys
    October 3, 2009

    lot about you

  • Lothirabard
    October 6, 2009

    It is the coolest site, keep so!,

  • Frirari
    October 6, 2009

    Very cute :-)))),

  • Eoworid
    October 6, 2009

    Great site. Keep doing.,

  • LRXRmCMV
    October 6, 2009

    ss.txt;0;0

  • Adweraric
    October 7, 2009

    Great. Now i can say thank you!,

  • Afeawen
    October 16, 2009

    Very cute :-))))

  • Proimeth
    October 16, 2009

    It is the coolest site, keep so!

  • Lothendawen
    October 16, 2009

    Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!

  • Braulian
    October 16, 2009

    Perfect work!

  • Ledien
    October 16, 2009

    I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!

  • Ocywen
    October 16, 2009

    If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.

  • Corewien
    October 16, 2009

    It is the coolest site, keep so!

  • Drerralith
    October 16, 2009

    Great site. Keep doing.

  • Caeven
    October 16, 2009

    Perfect work!

  • Gwyn
    October 16, 2009

    Great. Now i can say thank you!

  • Rewia
    October 16, 2009

    It is the coolest site, keep so!

  • Edyvia
    October 16, 2009

    Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.

  • Oceven
    October 16, 2009

    I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!

  • Hebeth
    October 16, 2009

    I want to say – thank you for this!

  • Nydeliniel
    October 16, 2009

    Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.

  • Edilihar
    October 16, 2009

    It is the coolest site, keep so!

  • Cadia
    October 16, 2009

    Great site. Keep doing.

  • Tomader
    October 16, 2009

    Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!

  • Acerrac
    October 16, 2009

    If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.

  • Etedrican
    October 17, 2009

    Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!

  • Corewyth
    October 17, 2009

    Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.

  • Afoik
    October 17, 2009

    I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!

  • Deagord
    October 17, 2009

    If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.

  • Sela
    October 17, 2009

    Great site. Keep doing.

  • Derradon
    October 17, 2009

    Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!

  • Aleric
    October 17, 2009

    Perfect work!

  • Ceabard
    October 17, 2009

    If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.

  • cheap allegra
    November 30, 2009

    Very cute :-))))

  • allegra d
    November 30, 2009

    It is the coolest site, keep so!

  • acetaminophen
    November 30, 2009

    Perfect work!

  • Anonymous
    January 21, 2010

    wondering if i can use bread flour or all purpose flour to substitute?

  • Koren
    January 30, 2010

    I’m in search for white whole wheat.
    What are some namebrands available in the grocery stores nowadays ?

  • Increase vertical jump
    March 6, 2010

    Love the glazed ones. Thanks for posting these recepies.

  • Julia
    April 22, 2010

    I made these 2 days agao, YUM! My office demolished them in about 5 minutes.

  • leigh
    September 4, 2011

    I made these but they came out pretty dense and heavy. I guess this is what I’d expect from a whole wheat cinnamon roll, but if you are looking for a light fluffy role you might be a little disappointed. I do have to add the disclaimer that I’m not a pro at making cinnamon rolls so it is possible it is just me . . .

  • Emily
    February 7, 2012

    Have you tried using dental floss to cut the cinnamon rolls? It really works…even if you use the minty kind! (no you can’t taste the mint) Just get a long string of dental floss and put it under the cinnamon log. Then just put the floss up and together. It makes it so the rolls don’t squish and gives it an even edge.

What do you think?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *