Decadent Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls
Elevate your brunch game with these Decadent Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls, a Grand Prize Winner from Southern Living Magazine's prestigious baking contest. Delightfully tender and ooey-gooey, these rolls boast a unique flavor profile, with the sweetness of perfectly mashed sweet potatoes complemented by fragrant cinnamon and warm notes of orange rind. Topped with a luscious glaze that seeps into the rolls, every bite is a heavenly experience. Perfect for celebrations or cozy family gatherings, these rolls are worth every moment of effort and will quickly become a favorite in your home!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
warm water
1/2 cup (Warm to about 110°F)
mashed sweet potato
1 cup (Smoothly mashed)
egg
1 (Beaten)
buttermilk
1 cup (Room temperature)
granulated sugar
1/2 cup
melted butter
1/4 cup (Plus additional for greasing)
all-purpose flour
5 1/2 cups (Divided)
grated orange rind
2 tablespoons
active dry yeast
2 1/4 ounces (Equivalent to 2 packets)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons
baking soda
1 teaspoon
melted butter (for filling)
3/4 cup
packed brown sugar (for filling)
2 cups
ground cinnamon (for filling)
2-4 tablespoons (Adjust to taste)
chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup (Toasted if desired)
packed brown sugar (for glaze)
1 cup
ground cinnamon (for glaze)
1 teaspoon
light corn syrup
1/2 cup
butter (for glaze)
1/4 cup (Melted)
heavy cream
1/2 cup
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Prepare the dough: if using a bread machine, ensure sweet potatoes are smoothly mashed. Add all ingredients in the order listed into the bread maker pan and run the dough cycle.
2
For hand preparation, combine the warm water, yeast, and 1 tsp of sugar in a bowl, stirring until the yeast dissolves. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
3
Stir in the beaten egg, buttermilk, sugar, and melted butter until well combined.
4
In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of flour with baking soda. Gradually stir this mixture into the wet ingredients, followed by the grated orange rind.
5
Slowly incorporate 3 1/2 cups of flour until a dough forms. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of flour on a clean surface, turn the dough out, and knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic but slightly sticky.
6
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (approximately 1 hour).
7
While the dough rises, prepare the filling by mixing the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped pecans (if using) in a bowl until combined.
8
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a 10x18 inch rectangle.
9
Spread the filling evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1-inch border along the long edges. Roll the dough up jelly-roll style and cut it into 1 1/2-inch thick slices.
10
Place the rolls spiraled side up in a well-greased baking pan. Spray the top of the rolls with cooking spray. Optionally, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to rise overnight or let rise in a warm area for 30 minutes until doubled.
11
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Bake the rolls for 10 minutes.
12
While the rolls are baking, prepare the glaze by heating the brown sugar, cinnamon, corn syrup, and melted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a light boil. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.
13
After the initial 10 minutes of baking, drizzle the prepared glaze over the hot rolls allowing it to soak in. Return the rolls to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until they are lightly browned.
14
Remove the pan from the oven and carefully invert the rolls onto a foil-lined baking sheet, then invert them again onto a serving platter.
15
Allow the rolls to cool for about 20 minutes before serving warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls special?
These rolls were a Grand Prize Winner from Southern Living Magazine's baking contest and feature a unique flavor profile of sweet potato, cinnamon, and orange rind.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 12 decadent cinnamon rolls.
Can I use a bread machine for the dough?
Yes, you can add all dough ingredients in the order listed and run the dough cycle.
How long should the dough rise?
The dough should rise in a warm place until doubled in size, which takes approximately 1 hour.
What is the baking temperature for the rolls?
The rolls should be baked at 400°F.
What ingredients are needed for the filling?
The filling consists of melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and optional chopped pecans.
How do I prepare the sweet potatoes for this recipe?
The sweet potatoes should be cooked and smoothly mashed before being added to the dough.
When do I apply the glaze?
Apply the glaze after the rolls have baked for an initial 10 minutes, then return them to the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
What flavor does the orange rind add?
The grated orange rind provides warm, fragrant citrus notes that complement the sweet potato and cinnamon.
Can I prepare these rolls the night before?
Yes, you can cover the sliced rolls and let them rise in the refrigerator overnight.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is between 20 to 25 minutes.
What is in the luscious glaze?
The glaze is made from brown sugar, cinnamon, light corn syrup, melted butter, heavy cream, and vanilla.
How thick should the cinnamon roll slices be?
The dough log should be cut into 1 1/2-inch thick slices.
What size should I roll the dough into?
Roll the dough into a 10x18 inch rectangle before adding the filling.
How long should I knead the dough by hand?
Knead the dough for 5 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
What temperature should the water be for the yeast?
The water should be warm, approximately 110°F, to properly activate the yeast.
Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 cup of room temperature buttermilk for the dough.
Do I need to toast the pecans?
Toasting the pecans is optional but recommended for better flavor if you choose to use them.
How long should the rolls cool before serving?
Allow the rolls to cool for about 20 minutes before serving them warm.
What type of yeast is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 2 1/4 ounces (or 2 packets) of active dry yeast.
How much sweet potato is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of smoothly mashed sweet potato.
Why are the rolls inverted after baking?
They are inverted onto a foil-lined sheet and then a platter to ensure the glaze is distributed and to prevent sticking.
What kind of flour is used?
This recipe uses 5 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, divided for different stages.
Is there baking soda in the dough?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of baking soda is mixed with the flour.
What type of sugar goes into the glaze?
Packed brown sugar is used to create the rich, caramel-like glaze.
How do I know the yeast is ready?
The yeast mixture should sit for 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Can I use less cinnamon in the filling?
Yes, you can adjust the ground cinnamon in the filling between 2 to 4 tablespoons based on your preference.
Should the egg be at room temperature?
While not specified, using a beaten egg at room temperature helps it incorporate better into the dough.
What is the texture of the dough?
The dough should be smooth and elastic but remain slightly sticky to the touch.
What should I do with the remaining 1/2 cup of flour?
The final 1/2 cup of flour is used to dust the surface for kneading the dough.