1 July 2011

Cinnamon Roll Cookies


I've had a busy couple of days, moving out of my Uni house yesterday (end of second year already...where on earth does time go) and I got my exam results too, managed to get into my third n final year hurrah! This past year has been really tough, I don't know if I should go into details as maybe a food blog isn't the right place to go into the in's and out's, but I truly don't think I will have a harder 365 or so days in my life again. I try to look on the bright side though and think that if I made it through that year (and managed to pass those blasted exams!) then I can make it through anything. Anyway, im going to avoid rambling today (or try to at least..i suffer from the waffling disorder) and get to the bit you are interested in :)

After packing up and lugging box after box of odds n ends from my homely little cupboard sized room (I swear its like the tardis, how on earth did i fit so much stuff in!?) there is nothing better than a cuppa tea and a biccie to recharge before tackling the daunting task of cleaning a student flat...trust me, if you have never had the pleasure of entering a students lair, it is not a pretty sight. One tip, never. ever. look in the oven..or shower...or fridge, and if you do, hold your breath and pray.

Luckily, I happened to have some fresh yummy biccies to hand, just what the doctor called for. I've been on a bit of a cake fest recently so thought it was about time I dusted off the old baking trays and knocked up a batch of cookies :) I stumbled over these adorable cinnamon roll cookies and, anyone who knows me well, will know one of my all time favourite splurges is cinnamon rolls (after cinnamon twists and pain aux raisins, I absolutely cannot refuse anything which involves pastry!) Oh so comforting, and did you know a teaspoon or so of cinnamon is meant to speed up your metabolism, therefore I stand by my theory that I actually burn calories by eating them
Now Im going to be entirely honest (dangerous tactic!), these were not my favvvourrite cookies ive ever made, perhaps because I had super high expectations after being such a cinnamon roll fiend, but thats not to say they are not delicious in their own right and I managed to consume my fair share! They are super moorish, and even if I would not make them for myself again, they will certainly be making repeat appearances in my dinky little kitchen. My mum's partner would not let me rest otherwise, he was quite enamoured with them, managing to shovel away no less than 8, yes 8!, last night after dins.
They are great fun to make, and are really rather pretty! I did not have as much of a problem rolling them as some of the other reviews claimed as I added in an extra chilling step, which I would recommend if you were to give them a whirl. The base is reminiscent of a buttery yummy shortbread, and mixed up a little with the delicious cinnamon swirl they are really rather irresistible. Even if they were not my all time favourite I am certain you would like them, just don't expect them to quite reach the supreme awesomeness of the godly cinnamon roll :)
Cinnamon Roll Cookies

For the dough
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar*
1 egg yolk (white reserved for filling)
1tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt**

For the filling
1 egg white
1 Tbsp water
1/4 cup granulated sugar* 
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

For the icing
1 1/2 cups confectioners (icing) sugar
2 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp almond extract
3/4 tsp cinnamon

Begin with the dough: 
Cream together the butter and sugar
Add the egg yolk and vanilla
Sift in the flour and salt, mix until fully incorporated
Shape dough into a disc, place in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use

Whilst dough chills prepare filling:
Whisk together the egg white and water in a small bowl, set aside
In another small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon, mix well and set aside

Take out dough and place on a sheet of baking parchment
Place another sheet on top and roll the dough into a 9 x 12 inch rectangle ***
Brush the egg wash all over the dough and then sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mix evenly over the top
Roll the dough into a log lengthwise and ensure the final overlap is nicely sealed
Roll back onto plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight)

Preheat oven to 350F/180C and line a baking sheet with parchment
Remove log from freezer and slice into 1/2 inch circles
Place cookies on prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes

For the icing
Mix together all the ingredients and drizzle over cooled cookies ****

Notes
* I used caster sugar
** I omitted as I used salted butter
*** I then refrigerated the rolled dough for roughly 15 minutes as others had problems with it being sticky. Before adding the filling I would recommend making sure the dough is not stuck to the bottom layer of parchment (trust me, it will save you time later, don't ask how I know..)
**** I did not ice my cookies as my mum doesn't have an incredibly sweet tooth and liked them plain :)

        Little dainty printable 

14 comments:

  1. These are so cute and I love the way you've photographed them.

    My family would like just a drizzle of icing - they're greedy. :)

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  2. @Maureen Thank you Maureen! I went a bit over the top with the old photos :) Im having a lot of fun learning about photography but am still yet to achieve the super-sharp photos i would like..practice makes perfect n all that!
    I too think the icing would be a good idea, i have a sweeter tooth than my ma :) unfortunately i have none left to try it on though!

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  3. those look amazing! they'd be a great addition to a brunch party, as they incorporate both 'breakfast' + sweets. i'm bookmarking them to make for my next party!

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  4. @amy @ fearless homemaker They really would be perfect for a brunch or tea party! please-all kind of cookies. I hope you like them if you do get round to making them :)

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  5. Great recipe! I love the picture with them all in the spiral. :)

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  6. These look utterly delicious. I would LOVE to have one right now. Yummy!

    Like your blog very much!

    Petra :)

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  7. Thank you for the comment on my blog! I love the recipes you've posted and I'm excited to see what else you post!

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  8. What a cute idea! I'm glad to hear that you made it through the year. I hope the next is better!

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  9. These look great! I'm now following your blog, and looking forward to seeing more recipes from you :) Kate

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  10. Even if these are not your favorite cookies I think they are darn pretty and sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing

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  11. Those look scrumptious! Love the idea of a cinnamon roll cookie...sounds divine with a hot cup of anything!

    Congrats on successfully ending another Uni year! Have fun recharging your batteries for the next one :)

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  12. Thank you alllll for such lovelylovely comments :)

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  13. Wow - I didn't know cinnamon boosted metabolism. That makes me VERY happy, since I put it just about everywhere except behind my ears. ;-) In my coffee, in my baking - even in my bolognese! Your cookies look so cute and I'm sure my kids will love them. And as for me, well I can kid myself that the cinnamon cancels out the sugar - right??? ;-)

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  14. Ruby that comment made me laughhh, after my cinnamon explosion that occurred during the baking of the Ladysmith Cake i had probably got it behind my ears also, no place left un-cinnamoned anymore! I love cinnamon in everything also, i get my daily fix in my porridge :)
    And yes...the cinnamon TOTALLY cancels out the sugar!

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