By Jess Handley
They say the best things in life are either illegal, immoral, or fattening; so when one is able to bypass those categories through something they enjoy, it is always a pleasant surprise. For example, something such as delicious sticky, cinnamon bun that is also 100% vegan seems far too good to be true. It may be slightly fattening, but it is indeed possible. Take a look at this very simple bun recipe: So elusive. So majestic. So, sticky.
INGREDIENTS
DOUGH:
• 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk
• 3 Tbsp vegan butter
• 1 packet rapid rise (instant) yeast (~ 2 1/4 tsp)
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2.5 – 3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
FILLING:
• 1/4 cup vegan butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar OR granulated sugar
• 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
STICKY GLAZE:
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup vegan butter
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a large sauce pan (or in a bowl in the microwave at 30 sec increments), heat the almond milk and 3 Tbsp vegan butter until warm and melted, never reaching boiling. Remove from heat and let cool. It should be warm but not too hot or it will kill the yeast.
- Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle on yeast. Let activate for 10 minutes, then add 1 Tbsp sugar and the salt and stir.
- Next add in flour 1/2 cup at a time, stirring as you go. The dough will be sticky. When it is too thick to stir, transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or so until it forms a loose ball, adding more flour as you go and as it will absorb. Rinse your mixing bowl out, coat it with canola or grape seed oil, and add your dough ball back in. Roll around to coat all sides. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- While dough is rising, prepare sticky glaze by mixing butter and brown sugar and spreading it in an even layer on the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish. Top with pecans and set aside.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin rectangle. Brush with 1/4 cup melted vegan butter and top with 1/2 cup brown sugar (or granulated sugar) and 1/2 – 1Tbsp cinnamon.
- Starting at one end, tightly roll up the dough and situate seam side down. Then with a serrated knife or a string of floss, cut the dough into 1.5 – 2 inch sections and position in your 8×8 dish with the glaze layer on the bottom (you should have about 10 rolls). Cover with plastic wrap and set on top of the oven to let it briefly rise again while you preheat oven to 180 degrees.
- Once the oven is hot, bake rolls for 25-30 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes, carefully invert and then serve immediately.
Original recipe sourced from: http://minimalistbaker.com/the-worlds-easiest-sticky-buns/
