Almond Fans–A Sweet Yeast Roll

Cinnamon Rolls are my Achilles heel. I have no self-discipline when they are in the house. I knew I shouldn’t make these last weekend because they are just fancy cinnamon rolls with almonds on top, but I couldn’t help myself. They were even better than I expected. I’m not admitting how many I ate.

I adapted the recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, Grant Corner Inn Breakfast and Brunch Cookbook by Louise Stewart. I have yet to find a bad recipe in this little book.  In fact, I think I will make it one of my goals in life to try every one of Ms. Stewart’s yeast bread recipes.  Surely this would qualify me for a Nobel Peace Prize or something similarly lofty.  In reality, it would probably land me a spot on The Biggest Loser.

Although they look complicated, they aren’t hard at all. Like most of my bread recipes, I make it in a bread machine. But I have included the author’s original instructions in case you find kneading bread by hand therapeutic.

Almond Fans

Ingredients:
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup lowfat sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
4 1/2 – 5 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour
2 packages or 4 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Filling:
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup softened butter

Frosting:
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon cream cheese
1 1/2 tablespoon coffee or milk
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds

Directions:
First: Add ingredients to bread machine in order listed. Set to dough cycle. When finished, remove dough from bread machine pan.

(To make by hand:  In large mixing bowl combine [active dry] yeast, water and 2 tablespoons sugar.  Let stand 10 minutes, or until slightly bubbly.  Mix in sour cream, salt and remaining sugar.  Stir in eggs and butter.  Gradually add enough flour to make soft dough.  Turn out onto floured surface and knead until smooth and satiny, about 8 minutes.  Put into greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.  Punch down and let rise again until almost doubled, about 35 minutes.)

Second: On a lightly floured board, divide dough into two portions. Roll each half to 12 x 12 inch rectangle.

Third: Spread half of melted butter (2 tablespoons) on one rectangle. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over buttered area. Begin rolling from long side and roll up tightly as possible. Flatten log slightly with palms and slice log into 6 pieces. Then using kitchen shears or pizza cutter, make 3 cuts into each slice cutting to within 1/2 inch to the other side. Twist each slice slightly to make it lay somewhat flatter. Place on a greased baking sheet or one covered with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Cover and let rise until almost double.

Alternate method for a smaller roll:  Cut flattened log into 10-11 pieces instead of 6.  Instead of 3 cuts make one.  The final product won’t be quite as impressive as the large one but the calories will be much more reasonable. See the picture below for illustration of roll with 3 cuts (top) and roll with 1 cut (bottom).

Fourth: Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Frosting: Soften or allow butter and cream cheese to come to room temperature. Combine butter, cream cheese and coffee or milk together and beat until perfectly smooth.  Dip over rolls with a spoon or pour into small plastic zippered bag.  Cut off small corner of bag and use to drizzle frosting back and forth over rolls.  Sprinkle toasted almonds over frosted rolls immediately before frosting dries.  Or pick up frosted roll and turn upside down pressing icing into plate of almonds.  This insures the almonds will stick to icing.

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