Sweet Potato Pecan Cinnamon Rolls [Vegan]

If October was the month for pumpkin recipes, then November is undoubtedly the month to feature that other orange-hued autumn vegetable: the sweet potato!

I adapted my Blueberry Cinnamon Rolls recipe by subbing in sweet potato puree for the applesauce, and toasted pecans for the blueberries. I also tossed a bit of nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in with the dough ingredients in order to achieve a flavor reminiscent of sweet potato pie. The finishing touch was to add a bit of sweet potato puree into the glaze for an extra punch of orange color and gloss.

How about some progress shots?

After rolling out the sweet potato dough, a delectable filling of cinnamon, brown sugar, melted margarine, and chopped pecans is sprinkled on:

The filling is rolled up into the dough, which is then cut into 8 pieces like so:

The rolls are nestled into a cake pan until…

… they double in size and rise to the top of the pan:

The cinnamon rolls are baked until golden brown – and extremely fragrant:

Now, you can’t have cinnamon rolls without a sweet glaze. How about adding in a bit of sweet potato puree for a vibrant orange hue?

The finishing touch:

Yes, the glaze makes a mess.

It’s worth it, trust me.

The center roll has my name aaaall over it.

These cinnamon rolls are made without any animal products, but vegans and omnivores alike are sure to love them. Serve the rolls as part of a special Thanksgiving brunch, or for breakfast on just about any day of the week.

Sweet Potato Pecan Cinnamon Rolls [Vegan]

loosely adapted from Mama Pea’s Blackberry Cinnamon Rolls

makes 8 rolls

Ingredients:

Sweet Potato Dough-

• 1 cup non-dairy milk, (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk), heated in the microwave for 45 seconds or until it reaches around 100 degrees F
• 2 1/4 tsp (or 1 0.25 oz packet) active dry yeast, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup sweet potato puree (preferably homemade, but canned will work in a pinch)
• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 1/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour (plus up to 1/4 cup for kneading and rolling)
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 2 Tbsp Sucanat or packed brown sugar (or 1/4 cup for a sweeter dough)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp salt

Cinnamon-Pecan Filling-

• 1/2 cup Sucanat or packed brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp non-hydrogenated margarine, melted
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

Sweet Potato Glaze-

• 1/2 cup powdered evaporated cane juice, sifted to remove any clumps (usually labeled “organic powdered sugar” or “unrefined powdered sugar”)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp non-dairy milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
• 2 Tbsp sweet potato puree
• splash pure vanilla extract, about 1/4 tsp

Directions:

1. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan (an 8×8 inch square baking pan will also work) with canola oil baking spray. Set aside.
2. Scatter yeast over warmed non-dairy milk and allow to activate for about 10 minutes, or until frothy (you may need to help out the yeast a bit by gently pushing it into the milk, but don’t stir the mixture quite yet).
3. Meanwhile, whisk together both kinds of flour, baking powder, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, spices, and salt in a large bowl.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 Tbsp cinnamon, and melted margarine. Stir in chopped pecans until well-coated. Set aside.
5. When yeast and milk mixture is bubbly, stir in the 1/4 cup sweet potato puree. Add wet ingredients into the dry and mix just until incorporated. Transfer dough onto a clean lightly floured surface and knead until soft and smooth, adding enough extra all-purpose flour (up to 3 Tbsp) to keep dough from sticking, about 2 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes.
6. Lightly flour work surface again and roll dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness, about a 12-inch x 9-inch rectangle.
7. Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, margarine, and pecan mixture evenly over the rolled-out dough, leaving about a 1-inch border around the perimeter.
8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
9. Starting at a short end, carefully & tightly roll the dough jelly roll-style, making sure the filling doesn’t come out at the sides. Gently pinch seam closed. Cut the roll into 8 even pieces and place in prepared pan. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place (I like to place it on top of the preheating oven) until doubled in size, about 30-60 minutes. Either refrigerate, covered, overnight or proceed immediately to the next step.
10. Remove the towel and bake rolls at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
11. While cinnamon rolls are baking, prepare the sweet potato glaze by whisking together until smooth the powdered sugar, 1 1/2 Tbsp non-dairy milk, 2 Tbsp sweet potato puree, and vanilla extract.
12. Remove rolls from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Run a butter knife around the outside of the rolls. Transfer rolls to a wire rack, glaze, and let sit for an additional 10 minutes before serving.

*NOTE: These cinnamon rolls are best when eaten warm from the oven. The lack of butter in the actual dough renders the outside of the rolls a bit crumbly and dry if refrigerated or frozen. That being said, they are still delicious gently reheated in the microwave or toaster oven – you just might need some extra glaze to moisten them up again :).

The following succession of photos happened in the blink of an eye: