Cinnamon buns are a delicious little treat but can at times be overly sweet or contain a lot of butter & white flour. 

Instead, I wanted to try my hand at some healthier but satisfying cinnamon swirls that are fluffy and the right amount of sweet whilst providing fibre, natural sugars, and less added fat. Needless to say that of course they are 100% vegan.

It takes a bit of time due to having to allow the dough to rise on two occasions but otherwise it’s a really straightforward recipe and surprisingly easy to make.

Dough: 

• 200g wholewheat flour

• 130g strong white flour

• 7g instant yeast

• 1/2 teaspoon salt 

• 200ml milk

• 30ml maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon applesauce 

• 1 flax egg (1tbsp flax egg with 3tbsp water) 

Filling:

• 100g dates (soaked in warm water to soften) 

• 1 tablespoon cinnamon 

• Pinch sea salt 

• 50ml warm water 

Glaze:

• 100g vegan cream cheese

• 30ml maple syrup 

• 2 tablespoons soy yogurt (or milk) 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

• 50g chopped pecans (optional) 

Method: 

1. Add the flour, yeast and salt to a large bowl and mix to combine. 

2. Next add the milk, maple syrup, applesauce and flax egg to the flour mix and mix really well to combine. 

3. Flour a clean surface, pop your dough out onto the surface and knead for no longer than 5 minutes. 

4. Form the dough into a ball, pop into a large bowl, cover and allow to sit for an hour at room temperature to double in size. 

5. Make the following by adding the soaked dates, cinnamon, sea salt and water to a food processor and blend until really smooth. 

6. Take your doubled dough and roll it out into a large rectangle. Spread the date mixture evenly across the dough.

7. Roll up the dough from the longer side and cut into 1 - 2 inch pieces. Grease a 20 x 20 baking tray, pop the cinnamon swirls into it and allow to rise for 30 minutes. 

8. Heat your oven to 180C, brush the cinnamon swirls with some plant milk and pop them into the oven for 20 - 25 minutes (until golden brown on top). 

9. Make your cream cheese topping by whisking your cream cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract together using a whisk. 

10. Spread the frosting on top of the warm cinnamon swirls and finish with some chopped pecans. 

11. Best enjoyed freshly baked.