Decadent Yeast-Free SunButter Cinnamon Rolls: A Wholesome, Gluten-Free Holiday Breakfast

Indulge in these incredibly delicious yeast-free cinnamon rolls, perfectly sweetened with unrefined coconut sugar and crowned with a luscious, sugar-free SunButter glaze. They’re the ultimate wholesome treat for breakfast or brunch, especially during the holidays!

Happy Christmas Eve, or any day you’re craving something truly special for breakfast!

There’s something magical about holiday mornings, isn’t there? The crisp air, the twinkling lights, and that unmistakable aroma of a cherished breakfast filling the house. For many, a classic cinnamon roll is that iconic holiday breakfast that instantly transports them back to childhood Christmas mornings.

I remember those early hours, tucked under my quilted comforter, too excited to sleep but terrified to make a sound that might disturb old Saint Nick. It wasn’t until the sweet scent of orange danishes and the savory aroma of a sausage egg and cheese breakfast casserole drifted up the stairs that I knew it was finally time to emerge and embrace the festivities.

These days, I try to let Kris Kringle finish his rounds in peace, savoring those extra moments of quiet before the oven starts humming and pots and pans begin to clang in preparation for our family’s holiday feast. Over the years, it’s become a personal tradition here at Flora & Vino to share one final, show-stopping recipe just before Christmas – a delicious treat perfect for those who, like me, often make last-minute decisions on what to bake.

In fact, this very morning, I braved the bustling grocery store (yes, on Christmas Eve!) after deciding on a few additional dishes for tonight’s Christmas Eve dinner. It’s a testament to spontaneity, and this recipe for SunButter Cinnamon Rolls (Yeast-Free!) is designed for just such moments. You likely have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your pantry already, making them an ideal choice for a special occasion breakfast or a festive brunch without any stress.

Crafting the perfect cinnamon roll has been a long-standing request from Flora & Vino readers, and it’s a recipe that has truly tested my culinary patience and creativity. Each time I approached the challenge, my anticipation was high, only to be met with trials that left me feeling… well, lacking. The fundamental problem, I realized, was trying to achieve that beloved, classic cinnamon roll taste and texture using a very “un-classic” set of ingredients.

My initial vision for these rolls was ambitious: vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and entirely oil-free. While creating plant-based and gluten-free rolls is certainly achievable, developing a truly crave-able, soft, and moist cinnamon roll *without any oil* proved to be an immense hurdle. My go-to oil substitutes, such as applesauce, various nut butters, and even coconut milk, simply didn’t deliver the rich, pliable dough or the desired gooey texture that makes a cinnamon roll so irresistible. Many of my early attempts resulted in pastries that were so dense and hard, they could rival the firmness I aspire to achieve in my six-pack after an intense Christmas Eve Solid Core class – and that’s definitely not a compliment when it comes to baked goods!

After much experimentation and a dose of humility, I decided to embrace a slightly more traditional approach, incorporating a touch of unrefined coconut oil. This small addition was a game-changer, lending the dough the necessary softness, pliability, and richness that transforms these into truly delicious cinnamon rolls worthy of your holiday table. This recipe strikes a perfect balance: it’s significantly healthier than conventional versions, yet still delivers all the comforting indulgence you expect from a homemade cinnamon roll.

Why Yeast-Free Cinnamon Rolls? Ease and Deliciousness!

A key feature of these delightful treats is that they are entirely yeast-free. I specifically wanted to create an approachable version for those of you who, like me, might be new to working with yeast in the kitchen. While I’m eager to explore more yeast-based baking in future recipes, attempting to master the intricacies of yeast fermentation on a busy morning, especially when stomachs are grumbling (yours, and perhaps your guests’ too!), is probably the last thing you want to do. Yeast can be finicky; it requires precise temperatures, proofing times, and a certain level of experience to get just right. For a quick, satisfying, and foolproof breakfast, a yeast-free recipe is truly a lifesaesaver.

So, let’s keep things simple and delicious! The beauty of yeast-free baking lies in its immediacy and reliability. You mix, you roll, you bake – and you’re enjoying warm cinnamon rolls in a fraction of the time it would take with yeast. Plus, it eliminates the worry of whether your yeast is active or if your dough will rise correctly. This recipe uses baking powder for leavening, ensuring a tender crumb every time.

Essential Ingredients for Your Yeast-Free Cinnamon Rolls

Here’s a concise list of what you’ll need to create the foundational dough for these fabulous yeast-free cinnamon rolls:

• Gluten-free all-purpose flour: Provides the structure for our rolls. Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum for best results.
• Unsweetened almond milk: Adds moisture and helps bring the dough together, keeping it vegan.
• Baking powder: Our leavening agent, ensuring a soft and fluffy texture without yeast.
• Coconut sugar: A natural, unrefined sweetener that imparts a subtle caramel-like flavor.
• Melted coconut oil: Essential for a rich, pliable, and tender dough.

That’s truly all you need for the base dough! The process is incredibly straightforward. Once you’ve combined these ingredients, you’ll gently work the dough into a cohesive, compact ball. Then, with a light dusting of flour, you’ll roll it out into a generous rectangle, preparing it for the star of any cinnamon roll: the irresistible filling.

Creating the Irresistible Cinnamon Filling and Gooey Puddles

As a kid, my favorite part of any cinnamon roll was peeling away the layers of bread and meticulously scraping off every bit of that ribboned cinnamon goodness from the inside. That’s the best part, right? The gooey, spiced center! This easy cinnamon filling is designed to deliver exactly that experience. It’s a simple yet potent blend of finely ground cinnamon and unrefined coconut sugar.

The magic happens when we prepare the dough for this filling. First, we generously brush a layer of melted coconut oil over the entire surface of the rolled-out dough. This isn’t just for flavor; it’s absolutely necessary as a binder, creating a sticky surface for our cinnamon-sugar mixture to adhere to. Once the oil is spread, we lavishly sprinkle the cinnamon and coconut sugar mixture across the dough, ensuring every inch is covered (leaving about half an inch border on the edges). As the rolls bake, this melted coconut oil and sugar combination caramelizes, creating those coveted “gooey” cinnamon puddles that make a cinnamon roll truly extraordinary. Yes, this is where the pure indulgence comes from!

At this point, it’s time to transform our flat dough into those iconic spirals. Using the parchment paper underneath to assist, we’ll carefully roll up the dough tightly, like a magic carpet, starting from one of the shorter ends. Don’t worry if you notice a few small cracks in the dough as you roll – this is perfectly normal for gluten-free dough, and it won’t affect the final deliciousness. Remember, homemade cinnamon rolls aren’t supposed to be perfectly uniform; their rustic charm is part of their appeal!

Once you have a long, narrow log, use a sharp knife or even a piece of floss (for extra clean cuts!) to slice the rolled dough into individual cinnamon rolls. You should be able to make 9 to 12 perfectly portioned rolls, depending on your desired thickness. Place these cut rolls into your prepared baking dish, cut-side up, giving them a little space to expand. Bake your rolls until they’re beautifully golden brown on top, filling your kitchen with the most incredible aroma of sweet cinnamon – a true sign of comfort and joy.

The Perfect SunButter Glaze: A Creamy, Sugar-Free Finish

No cinnamon roll, especially these delightful SunButter Cinnamon Rolls (Yeast-Free!), is truly complete without a generous drizzle of creamy glaze. This frosting not only adds another layer of flavor and texture but also visually elevates the rolls, making them even more enticing. My special glaze is crafted from a luxurious blend of softened coconut butter, No Sugar Added SunButter, and a touch more melted coconut oil. Whisked together, these ingredients create a rich, velvety, and perfectly drizzly topping that’s packed with healthy fats and natural goodness.

The beauty of this glaze is its natural sweetness and depth of flavor, making added sugar largely unnecessary. Since the cinnamon rolls themselves are already wonderfully sweet from the coconut sugar in the dough and filling, I typically prefer to keep the glaze sugar-free. However, if you have a sweeter tooth and desire an extra touch of decadence, feel free to whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut sugar into the bowl with the other glaze ingredients. This allows you to customize the sweetness to your personal preference, ensuring every bite is just right. Once the rolls are slightly cooled but still warm, generously pour or brush this creamy SunButter glaze over them, letting it melt slightly into the warm pastries for an ultimate sensory experience.

Don’t let any leftover glaze go to waste! Its rich, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor makes it incredibly versatile. It’s fantastic spread on graham crackers, drizzled over warm toast, stirred into your morning oatmeal, or even spooned over a stack of fluffy pancakes. It’s truly a spreadable delight on its own!

Tips for Serving, Storage, and Variations

These SunButter Cinnamon Rolls (Yeast-Free!) are truly perfect for any special occasion breakfast or brunch. They make an impressive and healthier addition to your holiday spread, a delightful treat for brunch with friends, or a cozy indulgence for a lazy weekend morning with family. Their appeal lies not only in their incredible taste but also in their adaptability.

To save precious time on the morning you plan to serve them, consider preparing the rolls the night before. Simply roll and cut the dough, arrange the individual rolls in your baking dish, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just pop them into the preheated oven and bake as directed. This allows you to wake up to the wonderful aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls with minimal effort, making holiday mornings even more relaxed.

Leftover cinnamon rolls store beautifully. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To enjoy them warm and soft again, simply reheat individual rolls in the oven at a low temperature (around 250°F / 120°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or for a quicker option, microwave them for 20-30 seconds until heated through. While the glaze will firm up and harden a bit when chilled, its delicious flavor remains intact, and it will soften as the rolls warm up.

Looking for an alternative to gluten-free all-purpose flour? You can often achieve a similar texture using gluten-free oat flour. Ensure your oat flour is certified gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions. For the SunButter glaze, if you don’t have SunButter on hand or prefer a different flavor, any creamy nut or seed butter (such as almond butter, cashew butter, or tahini) can be used in its place to create a similarly decadent and creamy glaze. Just be mindful of any nut allergies if you’re substituting!

These customizable and healthier cinnamon rolls are designed to bring joy and warmth to your table. Enjoy every last bite!

Share Your Creations & Explore More!

If you embark on the delightful journey of making these SunButter Cinnamon Rolls (Yeast-Free!), I would absolutely love to hear from you! Your feedback is invaluable and inspires me to create even more delicious, wholesome recipes. Please be sure to leave a comment, a star rating, and a review below so I can understand what you enjoyed and how I can continue to bring you tasty delights.

Don’t forget to give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to proudly display your wonderful culinary creations. I love seeing how you bring these recipes to life in your own kitchens!

For more plant-based inspiration and to discover other healthy baking ideas, check out my Pinterest page. It’s a treasure trove of recipes just waiting to be pinned and made later, including many more vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free options.

Craving more wholesome, plant-based, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free baked breakfast treats? You’ll adore my 1-Bowl Tahini Date Nut Bread and my comforting Vegan & GF Banana Chocolate Chunk Bread. They’re perfect companions to your morning coffee or tea.

Do you love discovering new recipes and want more delicious content delivered straight to your inbox? Head over to my homepage and subscribe to my newsletter to get regular updates, exclusive tips, and mouth-watering recipes directly in your email!

Happy Baking!

XO Lauren

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This post is brought to you by SunButter, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!