Vanilla Cinnamon Rolls

Spiced Vanilla Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls infused with Heilala Spiced Vanilla Extract, bringing warm notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and spice to every bite. Finished with a silky vanilla icing, these rolls are perfect for Easter brunch or a cosy weekend bake.

Dough

• 1 cup milk, warm

• ¼ cup Heilala Vanilla Sugar

• 4 tbsp butter, melted

• 1 tsp active dry yeast

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (divided)

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp Heilala Spiced Vanilla Extract

Filling

• ½ cup light brown sugar

• 115g butter (6 tbsp), softened

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp Heilala Spiced Vanilla Extract

Heilala Vanilla Icing

• ¼ cup cream cheese, softened

• 1 tbsp butter, melted

• 2 tbsp milk

• 1 tsp Heilala Vanilla Bean Paste

• ½ tsp Heilala Spiced Vanilla Extract

• ½ cup icing sugar

Method

Dough

Whisk together warm milk, Heilala Vanilla Sugar, melted butter, and Heilala Spiced Vanilla Extract. Sprinkle yeast over the milk mixture and stir gently. Allow the mixture to sit in a warm place for 10 minutes until foamy.

Add 2 cups of the flour to the milk mixture and stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and place the bowl in a warm spot. Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling.

Filling

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and Heilala Spiced Vanilla Extract until smooth and spreadable.

Assembly & Baking

Butter a 23cm round baking pan.

Remove the plastic wrap from the dough and add the remaining ½ cup flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir well, then tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, adding small amounts of flour if needed, until smooth and elastic. The dough should bounce back lightly when pressed.

Roll the dough into a 1cm thick rectangle, shaping the edges neatly with a spatula or bench scraper.

Spread the filling evenly over the dough.

Starting from the short end, roll the dough tightly into a log. Pinch the seam to seal and place seam-side down. Cut the log into 6 even pieces using a sharp serrated knife.

Arrange the rolls in the prepared pan - one in the centre and five around the edge. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 180°C.

Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.

Vanilla Icing

While the rolls bake, whisk together cream cheese, melted butter, milk, Heilala Vanilla Bean Paste, Heilala Spiced Vanilla Extract, and icing sugar until smooth.

While the cinnamon rolls are still warm, drizzle the icing evenly over the top.

Serve warm and enjoy.