cinnamon bun with vanilla sugar

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes (excluding rising time)
Intensity: Medium

Nothing says comfort like fresh, warm cinnamon buns straight from the oven. These cinnamon buns are soft, fluffy, and loaded with the sweet, spicy goodness of cinnamon. To make them even more irresistible, they are topped with vanilla sugar, which gives them a lovely fragrance and extra sweetness. Thanks to the Thermomix, the dough comes together effortlessly, and you’ll be enjoying these delicious buns in no time!

Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon treat, or a sweet dessert, these cinnamon buns are sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 250g warm milk

• 50g sugar

• 10g active dry yeast (or 20g fresh yeast)

• 500g all-purpose flour

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 100g unsalted butter, softened

• 1 large egg

For the Filling:

• 100g unsalted butter, softened

• 80g brown sugar (or white sugar if preferred)

• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon vanilla sugar (or homemade vanilla sugar, recipe below)

For the Vanilla Sugar:

• 50g sugar

• 1 vanilla pod (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract)

Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Sugar

1. Make the Vanilla Sugar
   If you’re making vanilla sugar from scratch, place 50g sugar and the seeds from 1 vanilla pod (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract) into the Thermomix bowl. Grind for 10 seconds on speed 10 until the mixture is smooth and fragrant. Set aside for later use.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

2. Activate the Yeast
   Add the warm milk (250g), sugar (50g), and active dry yeast (10g) into the Thermomix bowl. Heat for 2 minutes at 37°C on speed 2 to activate the yeast.

3. Mix the Dough
   After the yeast is activated, add the flour (500g), salt (1/2 tsp), softened butter (100g), and egg (1 large). Mix for 10 seconds on speed 6. Afterward, knead the dough for 3 minutes on dough setting (knead function).

4. Let the Dough Rise
   Remove the dough from the Thermomix bowl and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. You can also let it rise in a warm spot for faster results.

Step 3: Prepare the Cinnamon Filling

5. Make the Cinnamon Filling
   While the dough rises, prepare the filling. In a separate bowl, mix softened butter (100g), brown sugar (80g), ground cinnamon (2 tablespoons), and vanilla sugar (1 tablespoon) until smooth and combined. Set aside.

Step 4: Shape the Cinnamon Buns

6. Roll the Dough
   After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release air bubbles. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 30x40cm (12×16 inches) in size.

7. Spread the Cinnamon Filling
   Spread the cinnamon-butter mixture evenly over the dough, making sure to cover it completely, leaving about a 1 cm border on all sides.

8. Roll the Dough
   Starting from the longer side, carefully roll the dough into a log. Ensure that the seam is tucked under to prevent unrolling during baking.

Step 5: Cut and Arrange the Cinnamon Buns

9. Cut the Rolls
   Using a sharp knife or dental floss, cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces. Place the cinnamon rolls in a baking dish lined with parchment paper, making sure they are close together but not touching.

10. Let the Buns Rise Again
    Cover the rolls with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) during this time.

Step 6: Bake the Cinnamon Buns

11. Bake the Cinnamon Buns
    Once the rolls have risen, place them in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Step 7: Glaze with Vanilla Sugar

12. Glaze the Cinnamon Buns
    After baking, remove the cinnamon buns from the oven and immediately sprinkle them with the vanilla sugar you prepared earlier. This will give the buns a sweet, fragrant finish.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

13. Serve Warm
    Let the buns cool slightly before serving, but they’re best enjoyed while still warm and soft! Serve with a cup of coffee or tea, or just enjoy them as they are.

Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Buns:

• Fresh Yeast: If you’re using fresh yeast instead of dry yeast, use 20g of fresh yeast in place of the 10g of dry yeast. Follow the same steps for activation.

• Rising Time: If you’re in a hurry, you can speed up the rising process by placing the dough in a slightly warm oven (about 30°C / 85°F) or near a warm spot in your kitchen. However, for the best results, allow the dough to rise naturally at room temperature.

• Filling Variations: While this recipe uses cinnamon and vanilla sugar for a classic filling, you can experiment by adding chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), raisins, or even chocolate chips to the filling for extra flavor.

• Glaze Options: If you want to add a glaze, you can mix powdered sugar with a little milk or cream and drizzle it over the warm buns for an extra touch of sweetness.

Nutrition Information (Per Cinnamon Bun):

• Calories: 250 kcal

• Fat: 10g

• Saturated Fat: 6g

• Carbohydrates: 35g

• Sugars: 18g

• Protein: 4g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sodium: 150mg

• Cholesterol: 35mg

Note: Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on specific ingredients used. For more precise nutritional information, use a recipe calculator.

Final Thoughts:

These Cinnamon Buns with Vanilla Sugar made in the Thermomix are irresistibly soft, flavorful, and packed with sweet cinnamon goodness. The dough is quick to prepare, and with the vanilla sugar glaze, the buns are elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Whether you’re making them for a special occasion, a weekend breakfast, or simply as a treat, these cinnamon buns will always be a hit. Enjoy them warm with your favorite beverage, and they will quickly become a beloved recipe in your collection!