This Delicious Gluten-Free Cinnamon Roll Melts in Your Mouth

It’s really hard to find a cinnamon roll that’s just as nutritious as it is delicious. But baker Sashah Handal whips up a batch in the latest episode of Alt-Baking Bootcamp, and they’re pretty hard to beat. “Not only are these bad boys gluten-free, but they’re also vegan,” she says. “We’ll start by making the dough, then we’ll add some filling, then we’ll make my favorite part—the cashew cream cheese frosting.”

Making a dough that’s both gluten-free and vegan can be a little intimidating. Handal herself says it takes a little bit of patience, and a lot of love. But by the time you take your first bite, the extra effort you put in is more than worth it. One of the biggest challenges is that your dough can be pretty dry. To solve the problem, she has a secret ingredient that ensures the cinnamon rolls are soft and chewy every time: pumpkin purée. “It’s not going to impart much of a pumpkin flavor, but it is going to give it that added moisture, which lends itself to a very chewy and dense dough.” And that’s exactly what you want in a cinnamon roll recipe.

After combining your wet ingredients with your dry ingredients in a standing mixer (including Bob’s 1-to-1 All-Purpose Baking Flour), then giving the dough time to raise, your next step in making gluten-free vegan cinnamon rolls is pressing it out into a square shape on a piece of parchment paper. Once it’s even, brush on some melted coconut oil and top it with a mixture of cinnamon and coconut sugar. “If you’re not wanting something super-duper sweet,  go with a lighter dusting. But if you’re like me and want all the sweet treats all the time, have at it,” says Handal.

Now comes the fun (and slightly stressful) part: Rolling up your dough. Luckily, the parchment paper helps guide your roll and prevent any breakage. Once you have a tight roll, you can cut it into half-inch sections. Pop those pieces into a cast iron pan, drizzle them with a little more coconut oil, and put it in the oven. “Your house should smell like a Cinnabon in the mall,” says Handal. Once they’re out, drizzle on your plant-based cashew frosting, grab a fork, and eat up.

Want make these gluten-free vegan cinnamon rolls for yourself? Press play on the video above and follow along with Handal every step of the way.

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