Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Growing up in Belize, Saturday mornings were a time of simple joys and rich aromas wafting through the kitchen. In small villages and bustling towns alike, families gathered to prepare their favorite baked goods for the weekend. Cinnamon rolls, though not traditionally Belizean, found their way into our homes through creative hands and shared recipes, blending flavors that felt both familiar and indulgent.

I remember my grandmother kneading dough on a floured countertop in our wooden kitchen overlooking the lush greenery of the Belizean countryside. She’d tell stories about life in Corozal Town during her youth, where bakeries in the market square would sell sweet bread glazed with sugar. We’d gather around the table, eagerly waiting for her to finish rolling the dough, spreading the cinnamon-sugar mixture, and slicing it into perfect swirls. The scent of these warm, fluffy rolls baking in the oven remains one of my fondest memories.

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 cups hot water (115°F / 46°C) or very warm milk (480 ml)
• 2/3 cup dry milk (if using water) (160 ml)
• 2 tsp salt (10 g)
• ½ cup sugar (100 g)
• 2 packets yeast (4 ½ tsp total / 14 g)
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil or 1 stick melted margarine (120 ml or 115 g)
• 6 cups bread flour (720 g)

For the Cinnamon Filling:

• ¾ stick margarine, softened (85 g)
• 1 cup sugar (200 g) – white or brown
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon (14 g)
• Optional: raisins or chopped walnuts (e.g., 100 g)

For the Sugar Icing:

• 1 Tbsp melted butter (15 g)
• ⅓ cup whole milk (80 ml)
• Powdered sugar (about 2 cups / 250 g or as needed for consistency)

How to make Cinnamon Rolls

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the hot water (or milk), dry milk (if using), salt, and sugar.
2. Sprinkle yeast over the mixture and let sit for 10–15 minutes until foamy.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

1. Add eggs, oil (or melted margarine), and 4 cups (480 g) of flour to the yeast mixture. Beat well.
2. Gradually knead in the remaining 2 cups (240 g) of flour until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

1. Place the dough in a greased proofing bowl and cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap.
2. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).

Step 4: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

1. Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
2. Prepare softened margarine for spreading.

Step 5: Shape the Rolls

1. Punch down the risen dough and roll it into a rectangle (approximately 12×16 inches / 30×40 cm).
2. Spread softened margarine evenly over the dough.
3. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the margarine. Add raisins or nuts if desired.
4. Roll the dough tightly into a log and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) slices.

Step 6: Second Rise

1. Arrange the rolls on a greased baking pan, leaving space between them to expand.
2. Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again until doubled in size (about 30 minutes).

Step 7: Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Bake the rolls for 15–20 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 8: Make the Icing

1. Mix melted butter and milk in a medium bowl.
2. Gradually add powdered sugar, whisking until the icing is thick but pourable.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

1. Drizzle the icing over warm cinnamon rolls.
2. Serve fresh and enjoy

Notes:

• The dough should be extra sticky for this recipe, so don’t get worried if your dough is sticky. Adding a little more flour to reduce stickiness works but adding too much will result in a dry bread which is not as tasty. So, don’t fret if your dough is sticky.
• For a richer flavor, substitute brown sugar for white sugar in the filling.
• Add extra texture with raisins or nuts (optional but recommended).

Estimated Nutrition Facts (Per Roll)

Belizean Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Belize is a place where traditions are cherished, and food often becomes a bridge between generations. These cinnamon rolls are a testament to that spirit of sharing and adaptation, a recipe that may not have started here but now feels as much a part of our culture as the gentle sea breeze on a sunny afternoon.

Whether you’re enjoying these cinnamon rolls with a morning cup of coffee or as part of a Belizean Breakfast or sharing them at a family gathering under the shade of a mango tree, I hope they bring the same warmth and joy to your home as they always did to ours. Happy Belizean baking!