Orange Zest Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Gooey, sweet, warm, zesty cinnamon rolls. How can one resist? These are not your average cinnamon roll, folks. The orange zest brightens these rolls up in the best way possible.
I mean who doesn’t love an ooey gooey cinnamon roll? Pair it with a cup of coffee and you’re ready to take on the day! These cinnamon rolls have just enough orange zest in them to balance out the sweetness of the brown sugar and cinnamon. And let me tell you, those three ingredients make a magnificent team in this sweet treat. I can deem this recipe to be on the healthier side, because it uses the “two-ingredient dough” that has been an internet sensation within the last year, or so. While this dough clearly has more than just two ingredients, the two-ingredient dough includes self-rising flour and Greek yogurt, which can be transformed into many different recipes. If you haven’t tried using this dough before, it’s super simple and a great alternative for those who are trying to eat mindfully. This would be a great dish for Mother’s Day that is coming up, any weekend brunch, or just because you feel like having cinnamon rolls! There really isn’t an excuse needed to indulge in this delightful dish, I promise.
- 2 cup Self-rising flour
- 1 1/2 cup Nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 2 tbsp Swerve confectioners sugar replacement (can sub with regular confectioner sugar if not making SF)
- 1 tbsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Orange Zest
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Melted Butter
- 1/3 cup Swerve brown sugar (Can sub regular brown sugar if not making SF)
- 1 tbsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Reduced fat cream cheese, softened (Can sub regular cream cheese, or even vegan cream cheese)
- 1/2 cup Swerve confectioners sugar replacement (Can sub with regular if not making SF)
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp Fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp Orange zest
- 1 tbsp Milk or Milk alternative (I used coconut milk)
- Parchment Paper
- Rolling Pin
- Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350* F and spray a 9x13 or 9x12 baking dish with non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour, Swerve confectioners sugar replacement, and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, egg, vanilla extract and orange zest.
- Add the yogurt mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. The dough will be sticky, so you can progressively add additional flour, about a tablespoon at a time.
-->If you are using an electric stand mixer, use the dough hook and knead for about 2 minutes until dough forms into a ball shape. Continue to add any flour as needed, if the dough is too sticky.
-->If you are mixing by hand, keep the dough in the bowl and knead with your hands for about 2 minutes. Again, add more flour as needed, if the dough is too sticky. - Prepare two large sheets of parchment paper and place one on your work surface and generously sprinkle with flour, to ensure the dough doesn’t stick. Add the dough to the parchment paper, and cover with the other sheet. Using the rolling pin, roll the dough out to about a 12x9 inch rectangle.
- In a small bowl, combine the Swerve brown sugar replacement and cinnamon and mix until combined.
- Brush the melted butter onto the dough and sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture, all the way out to the edges.
- Roll the dough up tightly starting with a long edge and use the parchment paper to help guide the rolling. Cut the roll into 12 slices. Place the rolls into the prepared baking dish, spaced apart about 1 inch, as they will puff up.
- Bake for 22-28 minutes, until slightly golden. Let cool for 10 minutes before icing.
- Cream Cheese Icing Instructions
- Using an electric stand mixer or hand mixer, mix the cream cheese on low for about 30 seconds. Add the vanilla extract and Swerve confectioner sugar replacement and mix until combined. On low speed, add in the fresh orange juice, orange zest and milk. Scrape down sides as needed. It will be a runny icing consistency, which is what you are looking for.
- Use a rubber spatula to spread the icing over the cinnamon rolls and serve.
- The dough/rolls will be slightly denser due to using the ‘two-ingredient dough’ (self-rising flour and Greek yogurt).
- The dough will also be sticky, and you will want to make sure to have flour on hand to dust over the dough while kneading and placing on the parchment paper. Use the parchment paper to help roll up the dough before cutting it into pieces.
- The rolls will likely not turn a super golden color, which is why the baking time can vary. It will depend on your oven and the positioning of the dish within the oven. Mine took approximately 27 minutes.