When I think of my breakfast foods (and I really love breakfast), the first things that come to mind are cinnamon rolls…and anything that you put syrup on!  These Maple Cinnamon Rolls are the perfect blend of cinnamon rolls and syrup, without actually putting syrup on them of course.  The infusion of the maple flavoring into the cinnamon rolls really bring this combination to the next level!  

When I first started making cinnamon rolls, I admit, I was intimidated. Anything using yeast really seemed to make me nervous for some reason. Now that I’ve have a few dozen cinnamon rolls under my belt, I realize I had nothing to worry about! Making homemade cinnamon rolls or sweet breads is super easy! And versatile too!

What are Maple Rolls?

Maple rolls are exactly what they sound like: sweet rolls with maple flavoring!  They would traditionally be a breakfast roll.  They make a great dessert too–they don’t have to be for breakfast! They are super similar to a cinnamon roll but with some extract maple flavoring.

Maple Roll Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious rolls:

• Bread flour: Make sure you are using bread flour, not all-purpose or cake flour; otherwise the texture will be wrong.
• Milk: You can use any type of milk that you prefer.
• Granulated sugar: This is for the dough.
• Active dry yeast: Make sure you are using active dry yeast and not instant, as it will affect how the dough rises.
• Eggs: You can use farm fresh or eggs from the store.
• Butter: You can use stick butter or butter from a tub; but do not use margarine or shortening.
• Maple extract: This gives great flavor and can be found in the baking aisle.
• Cinnamon: This can be found in the baking aisle with the spices. I bet you already have some in your pantry!
• Powdered sugar: This sugar is used for the glaze.
• Sour cream: You can use regular or low-fat sour cream.

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How to make Maple Rolls

Although it may seem like a lot of steps, it’s really not as bad as it looks.  And these are so delicious that when you’re eating them, you’ll wonder why you were even worried about it! I’ve broken down the instructions into easy to follow steps so you can make your own homemade maple rolls with ease.

Step 1: Pour water into saucepan Pour the ½ cup warm water into a small saucepan.

Step 2: Whisk in flour Add in 1/3 cup flour and whisk.

Step 3: Whisk in milk Add in ½ cup milk and whisk until smooth with no lumps.

Step 4: Make it into a slurry Heat over medium heat until smooth and thickened like a slurry.

Step 5: Put the starter aside Remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap to cool. Press wrap against mixture to prevent scum from forming.

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Step 6: Start making the dough Place ½ cup warm milk in a large mixing bowl. Add ½ tsp. of the sugar to the milk and stir. Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture and stir until dissolved. Allow mixture to sit for approx. 15 minutes to allow the yeast to activate. The mixture will be bubbly when it is ready.

Step 7: Add the starter to the dough Once the yeast mixture is ready, add the starter to it along with the remainder of the sugar, egg, flour and salt. Mix by hand until combined.

Step 8: Knead the dough Using a dough hook, knead dough for about 5-minutes on low speed. Cut butter into four pieces and add to dough, one at a time, mixing with the dough hook between each addition. Turn the speed to medium and knead for about five more minutes. Dough should come together and begin to form a ball.

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Step 9: Let the dough rise Place dough ball in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1-1½ hours).

Step 10: Divide the dough Divide dough in two equal parts and roll each half to an approx. 8×20 inch rectangle.

Step 11: Combine butter and maple extract Stir softened butter and maple extract until combined. Spread over surface of rectangle.

Step 12: Combine cinnamon and sugar Combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle half over each buttered rectangle. Using your rolling pin, lightly roll across surface to press mixture into dough.

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Step 13: Assemble the rolls Starting at one long end, roll up into a log, gently pulling backwards during the process to help the roll to stay tight. Pinch seam together to seal.

Step 14: Cut the rolls Cut into 2-inch slices and place in a greased baking pan.

Step 15: Repeat with the other half Repeat process with second half of dough.

Step 16: Let the dough finish rising Cover pans and let rise until doubled in a warm place, about 1 hour.

Step 17: Preheat the oven Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 18: Bake the rolls Brush tops of risen rolls with the reserved ¼ cup of milk. Bake on center rack of oven for about 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. Cool in pan. until warm.

Step 19: Make the icing Combine powdered sugar, sour cream and maple extract until smooth.

Step 20: Ice the rolls Ladle or pour maple icing over top of the homemade maple cinnamon rolls while still warm.

Can I use a different extract?

Yes, you can pick your favorite flavor.  Of course, they won’t be MAPLE cinnamon rolls anymore, but you could certainly use this cinnamon roll recipe with a different extract for a different flavor.

Can I use pre-made dough?

Want a sweet treat without the wait?  You can definitely use pre-made dough.  Just follow the instructions on the packaging and then add the filling and the glaze.

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How to store leftovers

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge…if there are any leftovers!

Can I freeze Maple Rolls?

Sure can!  This works really well if you have extra time and want to make some for another time, when you either don’t have much time, or just don’t want to wait!  You can freeze individual rolls and frost them when you reheat them.

Other sweet roll recipes to try

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are some other sweet roll recipes we think you might like:

• Pumpkin Cheesecake Sweet Rolls
• Apricot Sweet Rolls
• Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls
• Lemon Blueberry Sweet Rolls
• Oreo Cinnamon Rolls
• Incredible Orange Sweet Rolls

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