Description
These almond flour cinnamon rolls bake up tender, sticky, and warmly spiced, with a yeast-raised texture that feels closer to a bakery roll than a quick bread. A brief chill before slicing helps the soft dough hold its swirl, and you can finish the rolls with either a vanilla glaze or cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Yeast Bloom
- 1/4 cup very warm water, 105°F to 110°F (60ml)
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast (9g)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or granulated sugar, for proofing the yeast (15ml or 12g)
Dry Dough Mix
- 2 1/4 cups very finely ground blanched almond flour (225g)
- 1/4 cup coconut flour (28g)
- 3 tablespoons ground golden flaxseed (21g)
- 1/3 cup allulose or monk fruit allulose blend (65g)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder (9g)
- 2 teaspoons xanthan gum (6g)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (3g)
Wet Dough Mix
- 3 large eggs, room temperature (150g out of shell)
- 1/4 cup sour cream, room temperature (60g)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (28g)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5ml)
Cinnamon Filling
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, very soft but not hot (75g)
- 1/3 cup allulose or monk fruit allulose blend (65g)
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (18g)
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum, optional, to help hold the filling in place (3g)
Vanilla Glaze Option
- 1 1/2 cups powdered monk fruit allulose sweetener (180g)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (28g)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (3ml)
- 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee, optional (15ml)
- 3 to 5 tablespoons unsweetened non-dairy milk, as needed (45 to 75ml)
Cream Cheese Frosting Option
- 4 ounces block cream cheese, softened (113g)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (57g)
- 1/2 cup powdered monk fruit allulose sweetener (60g)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (3ml)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened non-dairy milk, heavy cream, or coconut cream, optional, as needed (15 to 30ml)
Instructions
- Bloom the yeast: Stir the warm water, yeast, and syrup or sugar together in a small bowl. Let it stand for about 10 minutes, until foamy.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, flaxseed, allulose, baking powder, xanthan gum, and fine sea salt until no clumps remain.
- Finish the dough: Add the eggs, sour cream, melted butter, vanilla, and foamy yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir firmly for 1 to 2 minutes, until the dough is thick, sticky, and evenly hydrated.
- Shape the dough: Lay a large sheet of parchment paper on the counter and dust it lightly with coconut flour. Scrape the dough onto the parchment, cover it with plastic wrap, and press or roll it into a rectangle about 10 x 12 inches.
- Add the filling: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter, allulose, cinnamon, and optional xanthan gum until spreadable. Spread the filling over the dough, leaving about 1 inch bare along one long edge.
- Roll and chill: Starting from the filled long edge, roll the dough tightly toward the bare edge, using the parchment to help lift and guide it. Patch small cracks with your fingertips, seal the seam, then chill the log for 10 minutes so it slices more cleanly.
- Cut the rolls: Grease a sharp knife and cut the log into 8 equal rolls. Place them cut side up in a lightly greased 9-inch pie pan or 9×9-inch baking dish, then gently press and reshape as needed.
- Let them rise: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Preheat the oven to 150°F, turn it off, place the covered rolls inside with the door cracked for 30 minutes, then close the door and let them rise for another 30 to 60 minutes, until slightly puffed.
- Bake the rolls: Remove the pan from the oven and preheat to 400°F. Bake uncovered for 5 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tops are deep golden and the centers look set, not wet or doughy.
- Rest briefly: Let the rolls stand for 5 minutes before frosting so the centers finish setting while the topping still melts into the warm swirls.
- Make the vanilla glaze: Whisk the powdered sweetener, melted butter, vanilla, optional coffee, and enough non-dairy milk to make a pourable glaze. Spoon over the warm rolls.
- Make the cream cheese frosting: Beat the cream cheese and softened butter for about 2 minutes, until smooth. Beat in the powdered sweetener and vanilla, then thin with non-dairy milk, heavy cream, or coconut cream if needed. Spread over the warm rolls.
- Serve and store: Serve warm. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days and rewarm gently before serving.
Notes
Why It Works
- Proofing the yeast first confirms it is active before it goes into the almond flour dough.
- Almond flour, coconut flour, flaxseed, and xanthan gum work together to create structure without wheat flour.
- A short chill after rolling firms the soft dough just enough for cleaner slices and a more defined swirl.
- Starting at 400°F helps set the outside quickly, while finishing at 350°F gives the centers time to bake through.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Water too hot: Keep the water at 105°F to 110°F; hotter water can weaken the yeast.
- Coarse almond flour: Use very finely ground blanched almond flour for the softest texture.
- Skipping the chill: The dough is intentionally sticky, and chilling the rolled log for 10 minutes makes slicing easier.
- Underbaking the center: The rolls should be deep golden on top and the middle should look set before they come out of the oven.
- Runny frosting: Use block cream cheese, not spreadable cream cheese from a tub.
Variations
- Use the vanilla glaze for a lighter bakery-style finish or the cream cheese frosting for a thicker topping.
- Add a pinch of ground nutmeg to the filling if you like a warmer spice profile.
- Use unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or heavy cream to thin the topping, depending on your preference.
Allergy Alert
This recipe contains tree nuts, eggs, and dairy. Substitute as needed.
Nutrition (per serving — estimates)
Calories: 320 | Total Carbs: 11g (Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 2g) | Net Carbs: 4g | Fat: 26g (Saturated: 12g) | Protein: 11g
Nutritional values are approximate, based on standard reference data (USDA FoodData Central). Actual values vary by brand and exact measurements. For precision, use a tracker like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cinnamon roll with frosting
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 11g