What We Eat {Grommeals: Cinnamon Roll Edition.}

As much as we try to eat a healthy diet around this house, there are some things that I don’t ever want to give up.

Like cinnamon rolls

So, I’m pretty happy when I find a healthy-(er) way to indulge in such a great comfort food. About a year ago, I made my first ever homemade cinnamon rolls using whole wheat dough, and a lighter-sugar filling. They were really good.  But they also took a lot of time, and considering that my boys can wipe out a dozen cinnamon rolls in about eight minutes flat, it’s hard to make myself labor that much on them.

They’d really be happy with a can of Pillsbury. (Which are pretty tasty, I do admit.)

And this led me to my latest compromise:
Not canned cinnamon rolls…
But canned pizza dough.
And not just any canned pizza dough–Canned whole grain, artisan pizza dough.

It may not turn cinnamon rolls into HEALTH FOOD, but it certainly makes me feel a little better about them.

Plus-these are so fast, that I am really okay with the idea of wiping them out as a mid-morning snack.

INGREDIENTS:  (I usually make two batches at once, for obvious reasons.  Here’s the recipe for one 8-10-serving batch.)

One can of pizza dough
2 T of butter, melted.
1/4 cup mixed brown and white sugar. (I also suggest experimenting with Stevia, Splenda, or even agave nectar for part of the sweetening.  Almost anything will work!) 
1-2 t. cinnamon 
(Any add-ins you like;  Raisins, nuts, etc.  We tried one batch with raisins this time.)

Preparation:  

1.  Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Grease a 9-inch round cake pan, or pie pan.
Roll the pizza dough out into a rectangle.  (approx. 15 X 7 inches.) *I laid it out on a cookie sheet to save in counter-clean up.
Spread the melted butter, mixed with sugar, and cinnamon on top.  Add raisins etc if you like.
Roll it up carefully.
Slice into 1/2 inch pieces and place in a well-greased cake or pie pan.
Bake 15-20 minutes (depends on your oven, so watch them to see turn golden brown on edges.)

2.  FROSTING:  (this is not at all light or healthy.  But very tasty.)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 T. (1/2 stick) butter.
3 Tablespoons cream cheese
1/4 Teaspoon vanilla extract.
Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer, (or a strong arm,) until light.  
FROST ROLLS WHILE THEY ARE WARM. 

Just for the record:  I LOVE cinnamon rolls without the frosting.  If you’ve never tried one that way, you might want to.  The cinnamon and sugar are plenty to satisfy my sweet tooth. And you avoid feeling sick with too much sugar by the end of it, too.

And a quick tip on frosting:  Since I don’t own fancy decorating gear, I put the frosting in a sandwich size baggie, and made a small cut in one corner.  It makes it easier to drizzle that way.

These are sure to warm tummies, bring smiles, and rid you of all sibling rivalry.  For at least eight minutes.

With Aloha,
GM