Vegan Double-the-Cinnamon Rolls with Overnight Option

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm plain or unsweetened plain dairy-free milk beverage
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast)
• 2 3/4 cups bread flour or 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus more as needed)
• 1 teaspoon + 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (divided)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup mashed ripe banana (can sub pumpkin puree or applesauce)
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (melted dairy-free buttery spread, grapeseed oil, or another baking oil)
• 1 tablespoon sugar (can sub coconut sugar)
• 1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar (can sub coconut sugar for less sweet)
• 3 tablespoons chilled dairy-free buttery spread
• Rich Vanilla Icing or Buttery Maple Glaze (Recipes below!)

Instructions

1. 1

   Put the warm milk beverage in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle in the yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes to proof and ensure the yeast is active

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt.

3. 3

   Add the banana, 1/4 cup oil or melted buttery spread, white sugar, and half of the flour blend to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour until soft dough forms.

4. 4

   Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Add more flour when needed to keep the dough from sticking to your hands. You should end up with fairly soft dough that is just slightly sticky.

5. 5

   Return the dough to the mixing bowl, lightly cover the bowl, and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 45 minutes, or until doubled in size. (See Rising Tip below.)

6. 6

   Grease a 9×9-inch or 11×8-inch baking pan. (See Pan Size Tip below.)

7. 7

   Punch down the dough. Cover and let it rest for 5 minutes.

8. 8

   In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, 3 tablespoons buttery spread, and remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon.

9. 9

   Turn out the dough onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into a large rectangle that’s about 18 inches wide and ¼-inch thickness (fairly thin). If it springs back too much, just let it rest for another 5 minutes before rolling.

10. 10

    Sprinkle or spread (if the buttery spread is melty) the brown sugar mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch margin on one of the long sides. Starting from the other long side, tightly roll up the dough, pinching the seam to seal.

11. 11

    Turn the roll seam side down, and slice it into 12 equal-size rolls (about 1 ½ inches wide).

12. 12

    Place the slices cut side down in your prepared baking pan. Lightly cover the rolls with plastic wrap. Place the pan in the refrigerator overnight. (If you want to bake them today, let rise in a warm draft-free place for 30 to 60 minutes, or until about double in size.)

13. 13

    In the morning, pull the cinnamon rolls from the refrigerator, and place them on top of the stove while you preheat your oven to 375ºF.

14. 14

    Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls are lightly golden brown.

15. 15

    Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan.

16. 16

    Pull apart the cinnamon rolls and individually drizzle them with the Rich Vanilla Icing or Buttery Maple Glaze just before serving.

17. 17

    Store un-iced cinnamon rolls covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or individually wrap them and freeze to enjoy later. Once iced, the rolls are best if eaten the same day. The icing will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, but whisk it again before using. If stiff, you can warm it for just a few seconds in the microwave, or whisk in a little more water.