Description
Cozy, nutty cinnamon rolls made with pistachio cream, perfect for a weeknight treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup warm milk (about 100–110°F / 38–43°C)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast or active dry yeast
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter (plus extra for pan)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for dough)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup pistachio butter or pistachio cream
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar (for filling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for filling)
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios (optional, for topping)
- 4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) cream cheese, softened (for icing)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing)
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (to thin the icing as needed)
Instructions
- Heat 1/2 cup milk until warm (test it—should feel like a warm bath). Sprinkle 1 1/2 tsp yeast over the milk and wait 3–5 minutes until it’s foamy.
- Stir in 1 egg and 3 tbsp softened butter into the milk/yeast mixture.
- Whisk 2 cups flour, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt in a bowl. Add the dry mix to the wet ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead by hand for 5–7 minutes or use a stand mixer for 3–4 minutes until the dough feels slightly tacky but smooth.
- Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough inside, cover, and let rise for about 45–60 minutes until doubled.
- Mix 1/3 cup pistachio butter with 3 tbsp packed brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon until spreadable.
- Roll the dough into a rectangle roughly 9×12 inches. Spread the pistachio filling evenly.
- Arrange rolls in a greased 8×8 pan and let rise for 25–35 minutes until puffy.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 23–30 minutes until golden brown.
- Beat 4 oz softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1–2 tbsp heavy cream until smooth.
- Spread icing over the warm rolls and sprinkle with chopped pistachios if desired.
Notes
This small batch makes roughly 6 medium rolls — perfect for a family of 3–4 with a taste leftover.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: cinnamon rolls, small batch, pistachio, dessert, easy baking