Rainy Weekend Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls are decadent but you need loads of time to make them. Like any yeast based recipe they need to rise for a few hours before they can be baked so make sure you have set aside 3-4 hours before you're planning on serving them. I made these last week and served half the following day and put half in the freezer. The there is only 1 left of the "freezer stash" and the ones I served were gone in a matter of minutes!

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

Dough

1 package of yeast

1/2 teaspoon of white sugar

1/8 cup (25 ml) warm water (slightly warmer than body temperature)

1 cup(250 ml) low fat or fat free milk

1/4 cup (50g) white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 egg

2 cups (300g)whole wheat flour

1.5 cups (200g) all purpose flour

Cinnamon filling

3/4 (150 g) cup of brown sugar

1/4 cup (55 g) of butter -melted

1 teaspoon milk

2-3 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4-1/2 cup of chopped pecans

1/4-1/2 cup of raisins

Combine the yeast, water and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add liquid ingredients into the yeast mixture, then add the 2 types of flour. Kneed for 5-10 minutes to ensure that everything is fully mixed and that the dough has a nice elastic feeling. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has double. Tip: Turn your oven on to the lowest temperature for about 2-3 minutes. Turn the oven off and then put the bowl in. This guarantees a warm place where the dough will rise well.

After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and let rise again in a warm place until doubled.

Punch the dough down a third time and roll out into at least a 12 x 16 inch (30x40) rectangle. Combine the butter, sugar, milk and cinnamon in a bowl. Spread this mixture onto the dough rectangle. Sprinkle the chopped nuts and raisins on top of the dough. Roll the dough along the short side. Cut into 12-15 pieces and place in a greased tray (I used 2 trays, one round and one rectangular) Let rise for about 10 minutes

Bake at 180 C (375F) for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.