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Coconut Jam Cinnamon Rolls | the little epicurean
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Coconut Jam Cinnamon Rolls

Take your basic cinnamon rolls and pump them with exotic, sweet coconut jam. 
Yield: 18 rolls (two 8-inch square pans)
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting Time:: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Course: Bread, Breakfast
Cuisine: Filipino, American
Servings: 18

Ingredients

Dough:

  • ½ cup warm water 100-110℉
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast (7 g)
  • ¼ cup + 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (54 g), divided
  • ½ cup whole milk room temp
  • 1 large egg room temp
  • 1 large yolk room temp
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (500 g)
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter (85 g), softened

Cinnamon Filling:

  • cup unsalted butter (76 g) softened, room temp
  • cup granulated sugar (65 g)
  • cup coconut sugar (65 g) or palm sugar or light/dark brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

Coconut Jam:

  • 15 oz canned coconut milk full-fat, unsweetened
  • ½ cup coconut sugar (110 g) or palm sugar or light/dark brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoon pandan extract optional, or sub in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Dough: Sprinkle yeast over warm water. Add 1 tsp sugar and stir to combine. Let sit for 5-7 minutes to allow mixture to bubble and activate.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together yeast mixture, remaining ¼ cup sugar, milk, egg and yolk. Whisk salt into flour. Add 2 cups of flour to mixing bowl.
  • Use the hook attachment to mix dough together. Mix on low speed until flour is incorporated. Add another cup of flour. Continue to knead on low speed, adding softened butter one tablespoon at a time. Add remaining cup of flour and knead until the dough is smooth and cleans the sides of the bowl.
    *If dough is too sticky, add additional flour 1 Tbsp at a time until desired consistency is achieved.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let dough rest at room temperature for about an hour until dough has doubled in volume.
  • Cinnamon Filling: Stir softened butter in a small bowl. It should resemble the consistency of mayonnaise. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mix together sugar, coconut sugar, and cinnamon. Set aside
  • Coconut Jam: In a small sauce pot, combine coconut milk and coconut sugar. Set over medium heat and bring mixture to a boil. Once mixture has boiled, reduce heat and let simmer until thickened, about 8-12 minutes. Stir often to ensure mixture does not burn along the sides of the pot. Remove from heat.
  • Add salt and pandan extract. Stir to combine. Pour jam into heat proof containers. Allow to cool to room temperature and then store in the fridge until ready to use. Jam will continue to thicken in the fridge.

Assembly:

  • Punch down risen dough. Transfer to a lightly floured working surface. Roll dough into a 20 x 14 inch rectangle. Spread softened butter over dough. Sprinkle cinnamon filling and gently press into dough.
  • Roll dough into a tight log, starting at the longest side. Slice the log into 18 equal parts*. Lightly grease two 8x8-inch baking pans. Divide rolls between the two pans, 9 pieces in each pan. Cover pans with plastic wrap and let rolls rest for 30-45 minutes at room temperature to allow rolls to rise.
  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Remove plastic wrap and bake rolls for 30-35 minutes until golden brown on top and the internal temperature of the rolls hit 185℉. Allow rolls to rest for 5 minutes to slightly cool. Spread coconut jam all over warm rolls and serve immediately.

Notes

*Serving Size:  Recipe can also be made into 12 rolls baked in a 9x12-inch baking pan. 
Ingredient Notes:
  • Coconut Sugar may be substituted with palm sugar or light/dark brown sugar. For strong sweet flavor use panela, unrefined cane sugar.
  • If using chunks of coconut sugar or panela, place on a microwave safe plate. Microwave at 10 second intervals until sugar has warmed up and softened.  Once sugar is pliable, chop into smaller pieces or pulse in a food processor.
  • Color of coconut jam depends on the type of sugar used.
  • Use full-fat canned coconut milk. For best flavor and best results, find a coconut milk that lists coconut as the main ingredient. 
Storage: 
  • Coconut jam cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed fresh from the oven. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
  • Coconut jam can be kept in the fridge for 2 weeks. 
  • What to do with leftover coconut jam? You’ve got plenty of options! Use coconut jam in place of sweetened condensed milk. Stir into coffee (like Vietnamese iced coffee), use it to sweetened oatmeals or yogurt, or spread it on bread or crackers.
 
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