Cinnamon Swirls

Wake up to the smell of Christmas!  For an easy festive breakfast or bake you can make the dough in advance and freeze it - simply defrost and brush with butter, sugar and cinnamon.

• Difficulty: Medium
• Category: Baking Days, Christmas
• Cuisine: British
• Cooking Method: Baking

Ingredients

For the dough

• 450 g plain flour (extra for dusting)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 7 g fast action dried yeast
• 1 tbsp honey
• 250 ml warm full fat milk

For the filling

• 100 g butter (softened)
• 100 g soft light brown sugar
• 25 g ground almonds
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon

For the topping

• 25 g butter
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp caster sugar

Instructions

1. Mix the flour, salt and yeast together in a large bowl. Stir in the honey and milk gradually to form a dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth. Place in a clean bowl, cover and leave to rise in a warm place for two hours.
2. For the filling cream together the butter in a bowl with the sugar, ground almonds and cinnamon.
3. Preheat the oven to 200°C/Fan 180°C/Gas 6 and oil one or two baking trays. Knead the dough briefly on a floured surface, then roll out to a rectangle 30 x 24 cm. Using a palette knife spread the filling all over the dough, taking it all the way to the edges.
4. Roll the dough from one of the longest sides like a swiss roll, keep it fairly tight. Trim the ends and cut the dough into 2 cm rounds and place on the pre-prepared trays. Cover with a tea towel and leave to prove in a warms place for 30 minutes.
5. For the topping, melt the butter and brush it all over the swirls. Mix together the sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle all over the swirls. Place in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until risen and golden. Cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!