Guilt-Free Cinnamon Rolls?

by WiredBerries Editors — July 18, 2008

Looking to spice up an otherwise dull weekend? Why not invite the girls over for Sunday brunch. You can nosh on these guilt-free cinnamon rolls (courtesy of Mayoclinic.com ) and rehash the details of the previous night!

Almost-Good-For-You Cinnamon Rolls

Makes 32 rolls

1 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 egg
2 egg whites
3 cups all-purpose (plain) flour
2 1/2 cups whole-wheat (whole-meal) flour
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed

• In a small saucepan, heat the milk until just below the boiling point. Don't boil. Stir in the oil, sugar and salt. Remove the milk mixture from the heat and cool until lukewarm.
• In a small bowl, combine yeast and water. Stir and set aside for 5 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg and egg whites using an electric mixer. Add the yeast and milk mixture. Using a wooden spoon or a KitchenAid-style countertop mixer, mix in the flours, 1 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
• Turn the dough out onto a generously floured work surface and, with floured hands, knead gently until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. If using a countertop mixer, use a dough hook and follow the manufacturer's directions. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 1/2 hours. Divide the dough in half and form into 2 balls. Cover with plastic and let sit for 10 more minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins.
• Spray an 11-by-14 baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Using a rolling pin, roll each ball of dough into a 16-by-8-inch rectangle. Spray the dough with cooking spray. Sprinkle each rectangle with half of the cinnamon mixture. Starting at the long side, roll up each rectangle. Slice each roll into 16 pieces and place on the prepared baking sheet. Let rise until double in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• In a saucepan, heat the apple juice over medium heat. Cook until the juice is syrupy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Brush each roll with the apple juice. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.