I used to love, absolutely love, cinnamon rolls. Cinnabon was my guilty pleasure, with the extra frosting on the side, please! It turns out, I’m not alone. So many people love cinnamon rolls, they made an entire day to celebrate them. I am happy to report that we, as keto people, can enjoy this day as well. Yes, there are keto cinnamon rolls!
A History of Cinnamon Rolls
According to National Today, cinnamon buns were imported from Egypt to China for royalty as early as 2000 BC. Why royalty, you ask? Because no one else could afford them! After the first world war, spices were really expensive, and cinnamon rolls again became for the rich as a special treat in Sweden. In 1985, Cinnabon brought these sweet treats to the forefront by opening their first store in Washington, USA.
Why Keto Cinnamon Rolls?
Now, let’s be clear, the cinnamon rolls of which I speak are not filled with raisins or anything else that is remotely healthy. It’s sugar, sugar, and more sugar! Just for fun, I looked up what a classic Cinnabon rolls had for nutritional information. Hold on to your hat! One bun has 880 calories, 37 grams of fat, 127 grams of net carbs, and 12 grams of protein. 61 grams of those carbs are pure, unadulterated sugar. 127 carbs would be my meals for about a week!
A Recipe for Keto Cinnamon Rolls
Here is my gift to you on National Cinnamon Roll Day. This recipe takes a while to make, but if you are craving the cakey, sweet, slightly spicy dessert, it is well worth the time.
Cinnamon Buns
Dough
- 1 ½ cups Almond Flour
- ¼ cup Sweetener
- 1 Tbsp. Baking Powder
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- 2 ½ cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 oz. Cream Cheese
- Melt the mozzarella cheese and cream cheese together in a bowl in the microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted together.
- Add the other ingredients and stir until mixed together well.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 60 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Place the chilled dough between 2 pieces of oiled parchment paper and use a rolling pin to flatten it out into a rectangle that is about ¼ inch thick.
Filling
- ¼ cup Melted Butter
- ½ cup Brown Sugar Substitute
- 2 Tbsp. Cinnamon
- Mix together the ingredients for the filling.
- Spread the mixture over the dough that is in a rectangle form.
- Oil your hands and roll up the dough tightly into a log.
- Cut the log into 1” thick, round slices. Place each in a muffin tin.
- Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden. Cool before frosting.
Makes 12 cinnamon buns
Final Tips for Your Cinnamon Buns
We have a recipe for keto cream cheese frosting, which we top these buns with. They are good with or without, but I prefer with. Now, go forth and eat like royalty! Celebrate your Cinnamon Roll Day with your fancy keto-friendly alternative.
Wendy
