Posted by JC2 | Posted in Family, Recipes | Posted on 13-02-2012
Tags: allergy-friendly, alternative "milk", breakfast, children, cinnamon rolls, egg-free, food allergies, recipe
I have not been terribly involved in my son’s classroom this year. A new job, an active almost-preschooler who demands a nap and various other commitments have left me little time to volunteer… which really frustrates me! So when one of the room parents contacted me to bake a treat for the class party on Valentine’s Day, I jumped at the chance.
I admit I had ulterior motives…
- I know all the ingredients in at least one treat at the party since I baked it myself. Want some more ideas for (healthier) sweet indulgences? Click HERE for some fabulous real food recipes.
- My son knows what I bring is “safe” and allergy-friendly without drawing attention to the fact that he’s eating something special. Read ABC’s for a Food Allergy Safe Valentine’s Day Party (allergymoms.com, January 29, 2008) for some more tips for children with food allergies.
- I get to “volunteer” without being forced to entertain 21 8 year olds jacked up on sugar! (To my credit, I did offer to help out, but there just isn’t enough space for too many adults so my contribution of food was adequate.)
This is one of my family’s favorite treats. My picky eater loves these so much that he willingly accompanied me to the store to buy the necessary ingredients! The recipe does include some organic cane sugar. However, when used sparingly and in place of artificially colored cereals or packaged “foods” made with partially hydrogenated oils, I feel it is still an acceptable recipe when enjoyed in moderation… by all means, feel free to substitute with a real food alternative sweetener (see Butter Believer’s video on Replacing Refined Sugar with Healthier, Natural Sweeteners) and let me know how it goes!
I started out with the recipe for Ninety-Minute Rolls from Not Just Beans
Ironically, after I started writing this post (and actually recording my recipe adjustments… I often fail to measure when I make familiar recipes) two different doctors recommended my son start a trial of a gluten-free, casein-free diet. As a result, we may no longer be enjoying this particular recipe ourselves. Which leads me to my final reason for offering to bake for a crowd… to use up the rest of our flour!
Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
Mix in large bowl and set aside:
- 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. organic cane sugar
- 2 Tbsp. yeast
Heat in a saucepan over low heat until very warm:
- 1 cup “milk” (I used hemp milk because it is the fastest to make in a “pinch”)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup applesauce (or pureed orange vegetables)
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1. Add warm liquids to dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until well incorporated.
2. Add another 1/2 cup flour (I have attempted the recipe using only whole wheat flour, but it rises best when you use unbleached white flour for this second addition) and thoroughly mix for about two minutes.
3. Switch to your dough hook if you’re using a stand mixer and add small amounts of flour to make a stiff dough. Transfer to countertop and knead for a couple of minutes (not an exact science).
4. Throw the dough back in the bowl (you’re supposed to grease the bowl, but I consider it an extra step and I’m all about keeping things simple) and cover with a towel or plastic wrap for 15-30 minutes.
5. Roll dough out flat and spread with a mixture of melted coconut oil and Earth Balance (I think you need some “buttery” flavor).
6. Sprinkle cinnamon/sugar mixture on top and roll the dough into a log.
7. Cut dough into 1 inch pieces and place in greased pan.
8. Cover again and allow to rise for 30-60 minutes (no worries if it doesn’t seem to rise much, it will in the oven).
9. Bake in a preheated oven set to 375° for 20-25 minutes.
10. Serve warm as is:
OR (if someone in your house has a sweet tooth like my hubby), whip up a quick frosting for extra decadence (substituting the milk and butter with non-dairy options):
WARNING: This makes a LARGE batch so be prepared to share or eat cinnamon rolls all week. It’s usually not a problem in our house 
What do you normally eat for breakfast (inquiring minds want to know… especially as I transition our family to a new eating plan)? What is your favorite breakfast treat? Do you allow yourself (and your children) to enjoy sweet treats in moderation or are you strict about dietary choices and sugar consumption?
YUM! These look and sound fantastic, Jana. And how lovely of you to provide treats your son can safely and happily enjoy. Thanks for the recipe—a keeper, for sure.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Valentines Day.
Thank you for the link to the gluten-free ones… we really did enjoy those at Christmas, but I’m still wrestling with the whole nutrient density issue when it comes to GF baking… I’m sure it is an issue I will have to come to terms with if this diet lasts longer than a month!
Breakfast is always varied at our house. Weekdays consist of anything from yogurt, oatmeal, fruit, waffles, scrambled eggs, cereal… A lot depends on how much time we have and how many choices I offer the kids.
I normally try to only offer two choices.
Weekends – we make muffins, pancakes, waffles, cinnamon rolls, omelets…
Hmmm – looking over this list, I notice that we’re a very carb friendly household in the morning! Thankfully, we’re not fighting any allergies. We do enjoy more sweet treats on the weekend. I’ve never been overly concerned with offering the kids sugar (in moderation). My theory was that if it’s always an option they won’t crave it or go overboard on the times that it’s offered. We don’t have Sugar Smacks or anything of the sort, but the kids are allowed Frosted Mini Wheats and/or they can put a pinch of sugar on their strawberries if they want. They help me stir in the brown sugar into the oatmeal if I’ve made a pot…
I love breakfast. I could eat breakfast foods all day long. I’ve been craving migas lately… I may have to look up some recipes and try to make them. That’s always been a treat for me at the local diner, but it seems no on in New Orleans knows how to make it!
I’m feeling inspired to go search Pinterest for some recipes! Good luck with the GF cooking for M. Let me know how successful it is (or isn’t…).
It will definitely be a challenge to get him out of the carb-rut he is in, but worth the effort if he feels better and is able to focus. And if it helps anyone else while we suck it up and support him, so much the better.
We, too, love breakfast at our house… so much that we had our wedding in the morning (some 13 years ago) so we could serve brunch afterward. Forget the 3 course meal, we wanted eggs, fruit salad and French Toast!
Sounds like you strike a nice balance in your house between offering healthy foods and teaching the concept of moderation.
Trying to strike that balance… Some days are better than others. (I admit there has been quite a bit of King Cake served lately – which essentially is one giant cinnamon roll covered in icing and colored sugar!) I’ll actually be thankful once Mardi Gras passes and I’m not tempted to purchase it everywhere!!
The little lady would eat pancakes with syrup at every opportunity if I’d let her.
A is more varied in his choices. Thankfully, both kids LOVE fruit – so there’s always that!!
I’m slowly working on incorporating some of your techniques into my weekend sweet treats. Adding in a few cubes of pureed pumpkin or squash here and there – reducing the amount of butter/oil… switching out all purpose flour for whole wheat. I know in the long run it’ll be good for all of us!
There are a million things you can do with pancakes so that is a great addiction for a young one to have! Experiment with lots of great things like veggies, whole grains (don’t limit yourself to wheat… think rice, quinoa and buckwheat as well) and good fats.
And (especially with growing kids) DON’T fear fat… a good kind like coconut oil or real organic butter is a nutritious choice and essential for proper brain functioning! My goal for my family is to increase fat and decrease/eliminate sugar… it is a long term goal, but one that is said to help with a lot of behavior issues and allergies.
And… have fun with the Mardi Gras treats – you only live once!
[...] from whole grains, flaxseeds and almond butter at breakfast. Write On, Jana! brings us nutritious, Egg-Free, Dairy-Free Cinnamon Rolls. I’m salivating over these babies! For more chocolate-loving fun, check out Tameri [...]
These do look so good!! And I love that they are dairy free.
I have found it exceedingly difficult to find recipes that fit EVERYONE’S allergies so this one was a true winner for us! Unfortunately, gluten-free cooking is going to bring a whole new challenge to the breakfast table
By the way, what is your favorite non-dairy milk? My daughter accepts nearly everything (she’s had to since being weaned) but my son is new to a casein-free diet and has not reacted favorably to non-dairy milks!