These sweet cinnamon raisin rolls are outstanding—a soft, fluffy pastry wrapped around a spiced raisin walnut filling and topped with a creamy, sweet glaze. Perfect for special breakfast and brunch occasions.
In the bowl of a stand mixer (or with your hands), combine 3 ½ cups unbleached all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons Instant Yeast, 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk, 1 ¼ teaspoons salt, 1 large egg mixed with enough water to make one cup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons butter. Mix on low speed until the dough comes together, then increase speed one notch until the dough is soft and smooth.
Lightly coat a bowl with vegetable oil, to prevent the dough from sticking. Form the dough into a ball and place it in the bowl. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 1½ hours or until about doubled in size.
While the dough is proofing, Preheat the oven to 300° and toast the ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans on a sheet pan for about 15 minutes or until fragrant and toasted. Let the nuts cool, then chop them and set aside.
Take ¼ cup unsalted butter out to soften. In a small bowl, combine ¾ cup light brown sugar1 tablespoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and whisk to combine. Set aside.
ROLL OUT THE DOUGH:
Lightly spray a 13 x 9" pan with vegetable spray. Line the the pan with a piece of parchment paper cut to the size of the bottom of the pan and spray again with vegetable spray. Set aside.
Lightly grease a work surface and place the dough in the center. Roll out the dough to a rectangle measuring 11 x 20 inches. Spread a thin layer of soft butter over the dough, leaving about 1" uncovered on the long side furthest from you.
Sprinkle the butter slathered dough evenly with the brown sugar mixture, then top with chopped walnuts and ¾ cup golden raisins.
Starting with the long side (covered with filling), roll the dough into a log. Use a sharp serrated knife or a pastry cutter to divide the dough into two equal logs. Cut each log into 6 equal portions.
Place the rolls into the prepared pan, pressing down slightly. Cover the rolls and let them rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1¼ hours to rise and become very puffy.
Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake the buns in the center of the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and let the rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning them out of the pan. When the rolls are just slightly warm, glaze them.
FOR THE CINNAMON ROLL GLAZE:
Combine 1 cup confectioners sugar and 3 tablespoons heavy cream in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon the glaze over slightly warm buns and serve.
Notes
Want to make these sweet buns ahead of time?
Assemble the buns up to the point where you fill them with the cinnamon filling, roll and cut (step 9 in the recipe card).
Cover the pan of sweet rolls and refrigerate them overnight.
The next morning, take the pan out of the oven and let them rest and rise for two hours. Then bake and continue with the rest of the recipe.