Comforting Cinnamon Rolls

My mom knew how to make magic with simple ingredients, limited time, and a generous sprinkling of love.

A Warm Memory in Every Bite

One of my favorite memories is her cinnamon rolls. The scent drifting through the kitchen was utterly tantalizing. The best part? No waiting around for yeasted dough to rise. From start to finish, 30 minutes, and we were biting into flaky, warm cinnamon rolls straight from the oven.

The recipe comes from her well-loved, dog-eared copy of The Household Searchlight Recipe Book: baking powder biscuits, which she cleverly adapted into cinnamon rolls. I’ve carried the tradition forward, adapting it as I go. Baking is a science, yes, but I see every recipe as a gentle suggestion - a canvas for whatever ingredients you have on hand.

The original recipe calls for shortening - Mom used Crisco or margarine, I use butter. It calls for milk - I use whatever I have, from 2% to heavy cream or buttermilk; this last batch used oat milk. The varying fat-ratios slightly shift the texture and crumb, but that’s part of the fun.

This recipe became a core food memory for my own kids as well. Over the years, I’ve transformed it: biscuits for gravy, savory biscuits with herbs, sweet biscuits with nuts and currants, cheesy herb rolls, and of course, sweet cinnamon rolls with occasional additions of raisins, currants, walnuts, pecans, cocoa, or chocolate chips.

The biscuits are tender, light, and flaky with a gentle crunch that invites a second bite, and the cinnamon rolls are simply exquisite.

Basic Baking Powder Biscuit Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 Cups flour

• 4 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 6 Tbsp cold butter

• 1 Cup cold milk

Instructions:

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

2. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Mix in cold milk until a sticky dough forms. Knead a couple of times, just until combined - overworking will make the biscuits tough.

4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.

5. Pat or roll to about 3/4”–1” thickness. Cut into biscuits with a floured cutter, glass, or into squares.

6. Place on an ungreased baking sheet: touching for soft sides, slightly apart for crusty edges.

7. Bake at 450°F for 10–15 minutes, until golden brown.

8. Brush with melted butter immediately (optional).

9. Serve as you like - my favorites are butter and jam or sausage gravy.

Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

• One batch of Baking Powder Biscuit dough

• 1 stick softened butter

• 1 Cup brown sugar (light or dark)

• 1/4–1/3 Cup cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• 1/4 tsp baking spice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Roll dough to about 1/2” thickness.

2. Spread butter, then sprinkle sugar, cinnamon, salt, and spice.

3. Roll into a long log.

4. Cut into 12 coiled pieces.

5. Place on an ungreased baking sheet: touching for soft sides, slightly apart for crusty edges.

6. Bake at 450°F for 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

I hope you’ll try this recipe! I promise it will become a favorite in your kitchen, too. If you bake sweet or savory rolls, tag me @inspiredwellnesswithbarb in a photo - I’d love to see your creations!

Bake on, and enjoy every warm, fragrant bite.

~Barb