Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

Merry Christmas!! The Christmas morning tradition in my family is homemade cinnamon rolls. When we were kids, we would gobble them up without reservation. As we got older, we were less inclined to go back for seconds, knowing how lousy we would feel after a few of the butter-laden treats. This year I attempted to make a healthier cinnamon roll to keep us feeling energized and able to enjoy the rest of the day. I ate them before a morning run and felt fantastic! I am so excited about these guys! Keeping the tradition alive!

 

 

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

*adapted from Foodie Fiasco

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• ¾ cup almond milk
• 6 Tbsp date sugar, divided
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 2 Tbsp cinnamon

For Glaze:

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
•  ¼ cup maple syrup

Preparation Instructions

1. Mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in coconut oil with a fork until the mixture starts to form a coarse meal.
2. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
3. Add almond milk and 3 Tbsp date sugar to flour mixture. Combine into dough.
4. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll dough out into a rectangle.
5. Melt 1 Tbsp coconut oil and brush onto rolled out dough. Sprinkle with 3 Tbsp date sugar and 2 Tbsp cinnamon.
6. Roll dough into a long log and slice into 10 cinnamon rolls.
7. Place rolls into an 8” pie tin greased with a small amount of coconut oil.
8. Bake at 400 degrees F for ~12 minutes.
9. For glaze, melt coconut oil and whisk in maple syrup. Drizzle over cinnamon rolls and serve warm.

Mix together flour, baking powder and salt.

Cut in coconut oil.

Mix in almond milk and date sugar.

Roll out on floured surface.

Roll into log and slice.

Maple syrup glaze.

Fuel Facts

Numbers:  230 calories, 3 g protein, 12 g fat, 29 g carbs, 3 g fiber

**For 1 cinnamon roll (recipe makes 10)

Ingredient Breakdown:

v Whole Wheat – Unlike processed white flour, whole wheat flour still contains the bran and the germ of the grain which provides fiber and nutrients that white flour is lacking. Wheat is a one of the crops most genetically modified in the United States, so whenever possible, look for products that state non-GMO.

v Coconut Oil – About 92 percent of the fat in coconut oil comes from saturated fats. You have probably heard that saturated fats are bad for you and to avoid them in your diet. In general, the rule is to limit saturated fats to less than 10 percent of your total intake. However, not all of these fats are created equal.

Unlike other oils, coconut oil has a high percent of medium chain fats which are smaller and easier for the body to break down. Instead of storing these shorter chain fats, the body is more likely to use them for energy. This may not lead to weight loss, but it will certainly boost your energy. A few studies have also shown those who consume coconut oil have an increase in HDL (good) cholesterol and a decrease in LDL (bad) cholesterol.

v Almond Milk – A creamy, low-calorie substitute for cow’s milk, this nutty variety is easy to digest making it a good add to pre-workout meals or smoothies.

v Date Sugar – One of nature's many gifts, dates are one of the best natural sweeteners. Not only are they sweet, but they contain high amounts of fiber, promoting good digestion & intestinal health. Date sugar is made from dehydrated, ground dates and is a good alternative for granulated sugar in baked goods.

v Cinnamon – Many studies have shown the stabilizing effects of cinnamon on blood sugar. This is beneficial for anyone who wants to keep energy levels constant throughout the day, and especially helpful for diabetics or those who experience hypoglycemia. Cinnamon has also been shown to act as an anti-inflammatory by limiting the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes, a fatty acid that typically causes inflammation.

v Maple Syrup – Made from the sap of the maple tree, this sweetener is a great natural alternative to refined sugar. Maple syrup is also high in zinc and manganese, nutrient that boost the immune system.