Spelt Flour Cinnamon Buns

Fluffy Spelt cinnamon buns are delicious straight from the oven served warm. This cinnamon buns recipe is made using white spelt flour, but use regular flour if preferred. Enriched with oat milk (or use regular milk), eggs and butter and a hint of cinnamon to my dough. The spelt dough is not too sweet as we add the layer of cinnamon sugar and a drizzle of icing is the perfect sweetness. If you want to make overnight cinnamon buns, see the notes below

Takes = 15 mins prep. + 60 mins first rise + 45 mins second rise
Bakes = 18-20 mins
Makes = 9 or 12 buns square 23cm tin

Ingredients

Packet of instant dry yeast – 7g ( about 2 tsp)
White Spelt flour – 540g (about 3 cups + 2 tbsp)
Warm milk (oat milk works well) – 300ml (about 1 1/4 cups)
Large Egg (beaten) – 2 (leave a little for the egg wash)
Melted unsalted butter (cooled) – 50g ( about 3 tbsp)
Ground Cinnamon (optional) – 1-2 tsp
Fine salt – 1 tsp
Sugar – 1 tsp

Filling

Cinnamon – 3 tsp
Butter – 1-2 tbsp
Light brown sugar – 100g (about 1/2 cup)

Icing (optional)

Icing sugar – 125g (about 1 cup)
Vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Oat Milk – 2-3 tbsp

Method

GENTLY melt the butter in the milk and remove from the heat to cool slightly, it should be lukewarm to touch.
WHISK – flours, spices, salt, sugar and yeast.
POUR in warm milk and butter mix, but leave 50ml, you may not need all the liquid.
USING your dough hook add the beaten egg and combine on a low speed for 5-8 minutes, until the dough forms and has pulled away from the sides. You may need to stop the mixer halfway to scrape the sides. The dough will be softer than bread dough. If you find the mix a little dry add a little more warm milk. If the dough it too sticky and wet add a little more flour. You will find that the dough should be sticky and stringy.
FLOUR or oil your hands and remove the dough from the bowl and ensure that it is all blended together you may need to massage and shape the dough into a ball.
REST in a lightly greased large bowl and rest covered with either plastic wrap or a damp tea towel in a warm place for 1 hour.
AFTER the dough has risen, knead it gently on your floured surface, then roll it out to form a rough rectangle (30 x 40cm).
SPREAD butter on the dough leaving a 2cm border around the outside edge.
SPRINKLE with cinnamon sugar mix evenly over your dough.
ROLL the dough from the shortest end or longest you'll get more layers and the roll into 9 pieces for 12 pieces roll the dough from the longest edge left hand corner and fold as you roll, with the seam side down, stretch the dough out to 60cm and tap in the sides to square them up or cut off the wonky side for even rolls. Cut with a knife or use a long piece of dental floss to cut through the dough. (I don't use this method as I always have a knife in reach and find it easier).
GREASE and line with baking paper a deep square cake tin. Place the cut scrolls cut side up 3 x 3 or 4 x 3, then place foil or a damp cloth on top to cover and place in the a warm spot for 45 to 60 mins.
PREHEAT oven 190˚C fan and bake for 18-20 minutes.
PREPARE the optional icing. Sift icing sugar, vanilla and milk then whisk until smooth.
REMOVE the cooked buns from the oven then drizzle the icing on while warm and eat straight away.

Sue Maree P Baking Tips

SPRING FORM TIN – if you are using a round 23cm (9") tin a handy tip to stop and possible leaks is to place a layer of aluminium foil under your baking tin.
NO MILK – warm water would also work in this recipe
VEGAN options try vegan butter or oil instead
NO EGGS – you could use a flax egg if desired. Alternatively add an extra tablespoon of oil or vegan butter.
OVERNIGHT BUNS – make the recipe to Step 11, rest for 20 mins then cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight. The next day remove from the fridge and ensure the buns are at room temperature and double in size before baking. This could take 45-60 mins.