Receiving unexpected visitors? These cinnamon rolls are another one of my easy to make, festive recipes that you can whip out in no time. They are a simplified version of a cinnamon bun, with a crispier base made from puff pastry, but the same gooey, sweet filling of butter, cinnamon and sugar.
Using store bought puff pastry, this recipe comes together in no time.
Fika and cinnamon rolls
You might have heard of the Swedish word Fika where you meet friends, colleagues or family for coffee and cake. Usually in between meals, either in the late morning or in the late afternoon. A time to relax and catch up with friends, family or co-workers. Cake is an integrate part of Fika, and these rolls are a short cut to the proper cinnamon rolls.
I do love to spend a whole day making proper Swedish cinnamon rolls. Following the recipe on the flour packet, just like we used to do when I was younger. Taking the time to make the dough and let it proof properly for several hours. I can still remember the yellow plastic tub, we used for butter in the fridge, and how you had to take it out when you started the dough to make sure the butter was soft enough to spread once the rolls were ready to roll. Ah nostalgia. And at the end of it you had a freezer filled with bags of cinnamon buns to munch on for weeks after.
But I also like a quick solution to some of those slow recipes. I rather spend more time eating the cake than making them.
Making the rolls
A puff pastry cinnamon roll are made in a very similar way to regular cinnamon buns, but are much quicker. Roll out the puff pastry, if it doesn’t already come rolled out. Spread the butter using a butter knife. Make sure to take out the butter early to soften, for an easier spread. Then add a generous helping of the cinnamon and sugar mix, before rolling the dough lengthwise in to a tight roll. Cut the roll in about 1 cm wide pieces and place cut side down on a baking sheet. Add the egg wash with a pastry brush and put in the oven for ten minutes. Take out and enjoy with a delicious cup of coffee.
Fika in less than an hour.
Substitutes
If you like cardamom, you can add 1 tbsp cardamom to the cinnamon mix. Some recipes in Sweden for cinnamon rolls calls for cardamom, I prefer it without, but if you like cardamom it is a nice addition.
Freezable
If there are any leftovers the cinnamon swirls works perfectly to freeze in a freezer bag for about a month. If you want to be able to take them out a few at the time, freeze them flat on a cooking sheet first, before putting them in to a freezer bag. Defrost them in the fridge and to get the freshly baked feeling, heat them in the oven on low for a few minutes.
Cinnamon swirl
Equipment
- 1 Butter knife
Ingredients
- 1 sheet 375 g puff pastry
- 100 gram butter
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Take out the butter ahead of time to make sure it is nice and soft, which will make it easier to spread.
- Set the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400F).
- Unroll the puff pastry and use a butter knife to spread the butter evenly over the pastry sheet.
- Mix together cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle generously over the whole sheet.
- Roll up the puff pastry from the long side and cut in 2 cm rolls.
- Place on a cookie sheet with the cut side up. Gently press on the swirls.
- Whisk an egg and brush the swirls with the egg wash.
- Place in the middle of the oven for 12-15 minutes.
- Take out and let rest on a wire rack, until cooled down enough to eat
Notes
Variations
Do you want to try another puff pastry favourite? These easy puff pastry apple cups. Just as quick and easy as the cinnamon rolls.
Looking for something sweet, but more Chrismassy? Try these Candied Saffron Oranges.
Another puff pastry favourite are these savoury Pesto pinwheels, made easy using store-bought pesto.