Spice filled sweet rolls are an irresistible homey morning treat, especially when eaten warm. An easy-to-handle dough is made like a baking powder biscuit, filled, and rolled up to form into a simple spiral, which retains a perfect shape during baking. The spiral is the most ancient symbol found on every civilized continent, as well as being represented in nature as the whorl in seashells, coiled serpents, and unfurling fern fronds. Due to its appearance at burial sites across the globe, the spiral most likely represents the "life-death-rebirth" cycle. Similarly, the spiral symbolized the sun, as ancient people thought the sun was born each morning, died each night, and was reborn the next morning. Most bakers like a cinnamon filling, but if you are serving acaryas, you can use cardamom since many do not eat cinnamon.
Breakfast Sweet Rolls
Makes 1 dozen rolls
Dough
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 teaspoon non-aluminum baking powder (such as Rumford brand)
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 6 tablespoons soft butter
* 2/3 cup milk
Filling
* 2 tablespoons melted butter
* 1/3 cup granulated or light brown sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon or cardamom
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with cupcake papers.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt. Make a well and add the butter and milk.
3. Use a fork to blend the ingredients until they come together in a soft ball.
4. Cover your work area with plastic wrap (this makes for easy clean-up) and sprinkle lightly with some flour.
5. Gently knead the dough a few times just so it becomes elastic in texture.
6. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 7" x 16" rectangle (approximately). Dust the rolling pin with flour along the way so dough doesn't stick.
7. Using a pastry brush, spread the melted butter to entire surface of dough.
8. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and spice, then sprinkle evenly all over surface of the rolled out dough. Starting at the long edge, roll up the dough, jelly roll fashion, pressing the ends as you go so the sugar and cinnamon doesn't fall out. Do not roll too tight.
9. With a serrated knife or piece of dental floss, cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch segments. Place each roll, cut-end up, into a lined muffin cup. You have the option to bake immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to overnight, to bake just before eating.
10. Place in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. If you refrigerated the dough, it will take a few more minutes. Serve immediately as these are most delicious when warm. Baked rolls can be cooled and frozen in plastic freezer bags.
In case you like an icing:
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons melted butter, and 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons milk, water, or orange juice. Whisk until smooth, adjust the consistency by adding the milk a few drops at a time, then drizzle over the hot sweet rolls.
