Healthy Holiday Cinnamon Rolls

dessert — snacks

Healthy Holiday Cinnamon Rolls

One of my favorite sweet indulgences is cinnamon rolls! They're just perfect to serve during the holidays on Christmas morning or a delish dish when company arrives.

Cinnamon rolls, a treat which came over to the U.S. from Denmark and Sweden, can be such a chore to bake. Usually, they're loaded with butter and refined sugar — not great for our waistlines or our health. You may think there is no such thing as healthy cinnamon rolls. But queens, you have yet to try our recipe that combines all the gooey cinnamony goodness that your grandma used to serve, with some of the fitness-friendly ingredients we've subbed.

The deets on why these cinnamon rolls are a healthier choice

Our healthy cinnamon rolls recipe uses sugar (and oil) from coconuts. This is a healthier alternative because it isn't 100% pure sucrose like standard table sugar. Coconut sugar also contains nutrients, fiber, and healthy fats that are known to help prevent high cholesterol and heart disease. And for those of you who always need to keep gut-health top of mind (I'm raising my hand!), coconut sugar also is chock full of antioxidants and something called "Inulin". This is a dietary fiber that helps prevent colon cancer and keeps your gut and blood sugar in check.

Additionally, the other great part about coconut sugar is that you can use it in recipes at a 1:1 ratio to replace the sugar -- just make sure you give it a little extra time to melt or combine with other ingredients.

Next, let's discuss frosting. While many other recipes use butter, powdered sugar, and milk, we use a yummy, healthier alternative: cream cheese. Just allow it to come to room temp and whip it up with some vanilla and maple sugar. Your frosting is done and done!

And to make your life even easier, our recipe calls for ready-made pizza dough! All ya gotta do is roll it out -- none of that "waiting to rise" nonsense, so you're ready to roll in no time! We can't wait for you to try our healthy cinnamon roll recipe! Excited to hear how it all rolls out. Plus, make sure to check out more recipes just like this in our Holiday Survival Guide and Recipe Book !

Easy & Healthy Cinnamon Rolls

HEALTHY HOLIDAY CINNAMON ROLLS RECIPE

Ingredients

For Cinnamon Rolls

½ cup coconut oil, melted
½ cup coconut sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 Ibs. pizza dough (Not crust! You need that dough girlfriend!)

For Egg Wash

1 egg
1 tbsp. water

** Use an all-purpose gluten-free flour and pizza dough to easily make these a gluten-free treat!

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
½ cup pure maple syrup
16 oz. cream cheese

Directions

EASY CINNAMON ROLLS

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, mix the melted coconut oil with the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Sprinkle flour on a flat board and begin to roll out the dough into a large rectangle, about ½ in. thick and spread your cinnamon sugar mixture evenly across the dough.
Start at the long side of the rectangle and begin to tightly roll. Once it's completely rolled up, use a sharp or serrated knife to cut 9 even pieces.
Add the cinnamon rolls to your greased pan and be sure to leave a little space in-between them so they can expand.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg and water.
Brush the egg wash over the rolls and place them in the oven.
Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes or until they are lightly golden-brown. Let cool for
15-20 minutes before icing.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature.
Add all icing ingredients to a mixer until well combined.
Once the cinnamon rolls have slightly cooled, add the desired amount to each and enjoy.