Vegan Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Ingredients 

For making the dough:

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 1 cup of lukewarm almond milk or any vegan milk option
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar 
• 2/3 cup of vegan butter unsalted and softened (we used earth balance baking sticks)
• 1 tsp salt 
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

For making the filling:

• 1 cup of brown sugar packed
• 3 tbsp cinnamon 
• 1/3 cup of vegan butter unsalted and softened 

Icing:

• 6 tbsp of vegan butter unsalted and softened 
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1/8 tsp salt 
• 1/4 cup vegan cream cheese

*When we made the icing we used almond milk and powdered sugar which is more of a glaze rather than a thick creamy icing. Both icings are delicious but at the time we didn't have vegan cream cheese. Below is the recipe for the glaze icing.

Icing (glaze alternative that we used):

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Instructions:

1. For making the dough, in a large bowl dissolve the yeast in the warm almond milk with a tsp of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes - you will know if the yeast is good if it starts to froth up.
2. In a bowl add the 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 2/3 cups of vegan butter, 1 tsp salt, and 4 1/2 cups flour. Mix until well incorporated.
3. Pour the almond milk and yeast mixture over the flour mixture. Using a dough hook mix until well incorporated. 
4. Next place the dough into an oiled bowl and cover. Let the dough rise in a warm place for approximately an hour or until it has doubled in size.
5. Combine the 1 cup of brown sugar and 3 tbsp of cinnamon in a bowl.
6. Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll the dough with a rolling pin until it's approximately 16 by 12 inches and 1/4 inch in thickness.
7. Evenly spread the 1/3 cup of vegan butter over the dough and then evenly sprinkle the cinnamon and brown sugar mixture over the dough. 
8. Starting from a longer side of the dough, use your hands to gently roll the dough up. 
9. Cut the dough into 1 1/2 inch slices and place in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover the pan and let rise for another 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
10. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cook for 20 minutes or until golden brown. I found that the cooking time can vary greatly - it took 40 minutes for me. 
11. To make the icing combine all ingredients and beat well with an electric mixer until fluffy and smooth. 
12. The best and final part spread the icing generously on the cinnamon rolls and ENJOY!