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Whole wheat cinnamon rolls are healthy, fluffy and delicious. Try my go-to recipe for our favorite family treat. I dare you to eat just one!
It has taken me quite a while to perfect this recipe for whole wheat cinnamon rolls. I wanted it to be whole grain healthy and delicious, without sacrificing on texture. Fluffy and soft are the requirements for cinnamon rolls around here. No compromising allowed!
I’m absolutely thrilled with this recipe every time I make it. My kids and hubby are even more thrilled!
This is a special treat, made as healthy as it could be. It’s also seriously good! In fact, if you presented one of these beauties to a friend, they’d probably never guess they were made with 100% whole wheat flour. (It’ll be our little secret!)
Ready for a little piece of whole wheat heaven? Let me show you how it’s done!
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Table of contents
What Makes this a Better-for-You Cinnamon Roll?
There are a couple of superstar ingredients in this whole wheat cinnamon roll recipe. One of them is 100% whole wheat. In particular, I’ll be using freshly ground hard white wheat. You don’t have to mill or grind your own wheat to make this recipe, but I do, and I’ll explain why in a moment.
Healthier Sugar Option
The other main player is an unrefined, natural cane sugar called sucanat. Sucanat contains more vitamins and minerals than regular granulated sugar. It also boasts a delicious flavor with a hint of molasses. This sugar pairs so nicely with cinnamon and just feels like it was meant to be.
If you don’t have any sucanat, never fear. You can buy sucanat from Amazon or Azure Standard or even finely grind some white sugar in your blender. Either way, it will still taste amazing. Sucanat just kicks the health and flavor factors up a level.
Benefits of Freshly Milled Grains
- Nutrient Dense – Freshly milled whole grains contain protein, fiber, vitamin E, complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, healthy fats, antioxidants and minerals like iron, magnesium and zinc.
- Free from Preservatives – You can rest assured you’re not getting added preservative chemicals or oils when you mill or grind your own flour.
- Great for Digestion – Freshly milled flour contains all parts of the wheat kernel, unlike processed flours that remove the fiber-rich bran and germ. That means you get a bread flour that is packed with fiber to keep your gut healthy and happy.
- Heart Healthy – Antioxidants and fiber can help lower cholesterol for a healthy heart.
- Blood Sugar Control – With a lower glycemic index than refined flour, freshly milled whole grain flour is a great option for anyone trying to watch their sugar intake.
- Amazing Flavor – Freshly milled flours, like the one used in this whole grain sourdough bread, just taste better. Slightly nutty and fresh as can be. Much better than the store-bought version!
Printable Whole Wheat Cinnamon Roll Card
Healthy Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
Bread Dough
- 1.5 cups warm water
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons sunflower lecithin
- 4.5 cups freshly milled whole wheat flour (I like to use hard white wheat for these)
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- 1.5 cups sucanat (or finely ground white sugar)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 tablespoons of melted butter
Cream Cheese Icing
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons of softened butter
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or pressure cooker vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, but will darken the frosting)
- 1/2-1 cup powdered sugar or powdered sucanat (add until you get your desired sweetness)
Instructions
Making the Dough
- In a mixing bowl or mixer with the dough hook, combine your water, oil, honey, salt, egg and lecithin. Mix together until mostly incorporated.
- Add half of your flour to this mixture, while mixing, and then add the yeast. Mix slightly, and then finish adding the rest of the flour.
- Knead or let this knead in your stand mixer for 5-6 minutes. The dough will be slightly sticky but keep kneading it until it is smooth and elastic.
- Form the dough into a ball, and place in a greased bowl. Cover with a towel, plastic wrap or reusable bowl cover. Let it rest in a warm place until it is doubled in size.
Making the Filling
- It is best to make the filling right before adding to the dough, so it is still spreadable before the butter sets. I like to throw the sucanat into a blender at high speed and turn it into a powdered sugar. This makes the sugar more fine so it dissolves into the butter easier.Simply combine all ingredients and set aside until your dough is ready.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Be sure the cream cheese and butter are completely softened and at room temperature before mixing. This will help avoid any chunks and give you a smooth consistency. With a whisk or mixer, combine all ingredients until smooth. Set aside until ready to spread on cinnamon rolls.
Making the Cinnamon Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare a 9×13 baking pan by spreading butter liberally to the bottom surface and edges.
- Once your dough has doubled, roll it onto a floured work surface. Form as even as a rectangular shape as you can get, aiming for about a 10 x 15 inch rectangle. Spread or sprinkle the filling across the entire dough.
- Starting at the long edge, begin rolling the dough into a log shape. Press the ends carefully with your hands to enclose the filling and get even edges.
- Using a string of dental floss, or a sharp knife, cut each roll about 1 inch wide. Carefully lay inside the prepared dish. It will all fit in there tightly and should make 12 rolls.
- Bake the cinnamon rolls, uncovered for 25-30 minutes. until all centers are cooked.
- You can choose to spread the icing on while still hot for a melted, gooey glaze. Or wait until they are completely cooled to spread it on. Either way – it's delicious! Enjoy!
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Roll Ingredients
Bread Dough
- 1.5 cups warm water
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 2 Tablespoons sunflower lecithin
- 4.5 cups freshly milled whole wheat flour (I like to use hard white wheat for these)
- 1 Tablespoon active dry yeast
Cinnamon Roll Filling
- 1.5 cups sucanat (or finely ground white sugar)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 tablespoons of melted butter
Cream Cheese Icing
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons of softened butter
- pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or pressure cooker vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, but will darken the frosting)
- 1/2-1 cup powdered sugar (add until you get your desired sweetness)
Instructions
Making the Dough
In a mixing bowl or mixer with the dough hook, combine your water, oil, honey, salt, egg and lecithin. Mix together until mostly incorporated.
Add half of your flour to this mixture, while mixing, and then add the yeast. Mix slightly, and then finish adding the rest of the flour.
Knead or let this knead in your stand mixer for 5-6 minutes. The dough will be slightly sticky but keep kneading it until it is smooth and elastic.
Form the dough into a ball, and place in a greased bowl. Cover with a towel, plastic wrap or reusable bowl cover. Let it rest in a warm place until it is doubled in size.
Making the Filling
I find it best to powder your sugar for the filling, whether you are using white sugar or sucanat. Just throw it in a blender and blend at high speed until it is powdered. This helps it dissolve into the butter a lot easier. You can also flavor your sugar at this point. I like to add a couple of tablespoons of culinary lavender buds, and blend it with the sugar. It makes for a delicious lavender cinnamon roll!
It is best to make the filling right before adding to the dough, so it is still spreadable before the butter sets. Simply combine all ingredients and set aside until your dough is ready.
Making the Cream Cheese Frosting
Be sure the cream cheese and butter are completely softened and at room temperature before mixing. This will help avoid any chunks and give you a smooth consistency. With a whisk or mixer, combine all ingredients until smooth. Set aside until ready to spread on cinnamon rolls.
Making the Cinnamon Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare a 9×13 baking pan by spreading butter liberally to the bottom surface and edges.
Once your dough has doubled, roll it onto a floured work surface. Form as even as a rectangular shape as you can get, aiming for about a 10 x 15-inch rectangle. Spread the filling across the entire dough.
Starting at the long edge, begin rolling the dough into a log shape. Press the ends carefully with your hands to enclose the filling and get even edges.
Using a string of dental floss, or a sharp knife, cut each roll about 1 inch wide. Carefully lay inside the prepared dish. It will all fit in there tightly and should make 12 rolls.
Bake the cinnamon rolls, uncovered for 25-30 minutes. until all centers are cooked.
You can choose to spread the icing on while still hot for a melted, gooey glaze. Or wait until they are completely cooled to spread it on. Either way – it’s delicious! Enjoy!
Storing Your Healthy Cinnamon Rolls
You can definitely place any leftover cinnamon rolls in an air-tight container or cover them with plastic wrap to be enjoyed later. However, I really think that these yummy cinnamon rolls taste best the day that you bake them, so gobble up!
Where to Buy Ingredients and Supplies
To make your cooking a little easier, I’ve grouped all the ingredients and supplies I use in this recipe over at my Moonsift Food board and my Moonsift Bread board. Check them out for links and details!
Other Recipes You’re Going to Love!
Believe me friend, you need this healthy, whole wheat cinnamon roll in your life! It’s delicious, it’s no fuss and it’s made healthier than a cinnamon roll has any right to be. Make sure you save this recipe!
If you’re looking for more great recipe ideas, try one of these:
- 100% Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Made Simple
- 100% Whole Grain Einkorn Sourdough Bread Simplified
- Sarsaparilla Root Benefits and Tea Recipe
- Fresh Pomegranate Salsa Recipe
- Lemon Balm Tea Recipe and Benefits
- Healthy Stir Fry Recipe With the BEST Orange Ginger Sauce
- Yummy Healthy Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe – NO ADDED SUGAR!
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