Cinnamon Rolls (Walnut & Cinnamon Swirls)

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves	🔪 Skill level
★★ Intermediate	2 hr (including rising)	12–14 rolls	Intermediate

Like cinnamon? Crazy with cinnamon? You just start dribbling when you smell cinnamon? Then you will love cinnamon rolls :)
If you have never tried them, trust me, you should.
If you are already addicted to them, and you were always bought them, find today a simple recipe to make them yourself for you and your dear ones...
The recipe is very easy, you just need to have quite some time available as there is one hour of waiting time in between the steps of the preparation.

INGREDIENTS

Dough:

• 400–450 g all-purpose flour (≈ 3½ cups)
• 200 ml warm milk
• 7 g instant dry yeast
• 1 egg
• 50 g sugar
• 60 g butter, softened
• Pinch of salt

Filling:

• 100 g walnuts, finely grated (optional)
• 2–3 tsp cinnamon (adjust to taste)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 40 g butter, softened (for spreading)

Finish:

• 1 egg (beaten, for brushing)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Activate yeast: Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit 10 minutes until foamy.
• Make dough: Combine flour, salt, egg, softened butter, and yeast mixture. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth, soft, and slightly elastic (not sticky).
• First rise: Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
• Prepare filling & roll: Mix walnuts, cinnamon, and sugar. Roll dough into a rectangle (about 40 × 25 cm). Brush with melted butter, then sprinkle filling evenly.
• Shape rolls: Roll tightly into a log, seal edge, and cut into 2–3 cm slices. Place on a lined tray, leaving space between rolls.
• Second rise: Let rise 30–45 minutes until puffy.
• Bake: Brush with beaten egg and bake at 180°C (fan) for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
• Cool & serve: Rest 10 minutes before serving warm.

SERVING TIPS & VARIATIONS

• For faster rising, use a warm humid oven (max 30–35°C) or steam oven.
• Add a simple icing sugar glaze (powdered sugar + a little milk or lemon juice) for extra sweetness.
• Replace walnuts with pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts.
• Best eaten fresh, but can be reheated for 5–10 seconds in microwave.