Ingredients
Dough
- 1/2 cup dates (soaked)
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup nut or seed butter (e.g. almond, peanut, sunflower seed butter)
- 1 Tbsp dairy-free milk (such as almond milk)
Filling
- 1 cup dates (soaked)
- 3 Tbsp nut or seed butter of choice
- 1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon (use less for kids)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla paste
- 1-2 Tbsp dairy-free milk (such as almond milk)
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: If the dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes, then drain well. Combine the soaked dates, oat flour, almond flour, and nut or seed butter in a food processor. Blend until the mixture is combined.
- Add Dairy-Free Milk and Mix: Add 1 tablespoon of dairy-free milk to the food processor and continue blending until a dough forms that sticks when pressed between your fingers. Pause to scrape down the sides of the processor jug as needed to ensure even mixing.
- Shape and Roll the Dough: Form the dough into a ball, place it on a piece of parchment paper, and flatten it into a rectangle. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into an approximately 9.5-inch (24 cm) square or similarly sized rectangle, about 1/6 inch (0.4 cm) thick.
- Prepare the Filling: In the food processor, blend together the soaked dates, nut or seed butter, vanilla paste, cinnamon, salt, and 1 tablespoon of dairy-free milk until you achieve a thick and smooth paste. If the paste is too thick, add more milk one teaspoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Assemble the Cinnamon Rolls: Spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the rolled-out dough. To prevent sticking, lightly grease your spatula, and leave about ½ inch from the edges clear to avoid filling oozing out during rolling.
- Roll and Chill: Carefully roll the dough into a tight swirl by peeling it from the parchment paper as you roll. Freeze the rolled log for about one hour to firm it up.
- Slice and Serve: After chilling, use a sharp knife or dental floss to slice the roll into 12 individual cinnamon rolls, each approximately 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick. Enjoy them chilled or warmed by microwaving for a few seconds to soften.
Notes
- The soaking of dates is crucial to soften them and allow smooth blending.
- If you don’t have oat flour, you can make your own by finely grinding oats in a blender.
- Use any nut or seed butter you prefer or have on hand; this affects flavor slightly.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon to taste, especially when serving children.
- Chilling the rolled dough before slicing ensures clean cuts and preserves shape.
- These cinnamon rolls are best stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
