The Autumn Chapter · H&F
Cinnamon Rolls, Precisely
No yeast. No shortcuts on flavor. Architecture in pastry form—spirals lined with our restrained fall profile: cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla bean, and a whisper of nutmeg.
Yield · 12 rolls Active · 20 min Bake · 20–25 min at 350°F Skill · Straightforward
How we stand out: restraint over sugar; balance over gimmick. A classic spiral sharpened with cardamom and finished with a thin, glossy vanilla veil—sweet enough to complement, never to drown.
Method
- Mix the dough. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter, milk, and vanilla until a soft dough forms.
- Roll. On a lightly floured surface, roll into a neat rectangle ~¼" thick.
- Fill. Brush with melted butter. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg; scatter evenly. Add orange zest if using.
- Shape. Roll into a tight log. Slice 12 rounds. Place in a buttered 8–9" dish, spirals just touching.
- Bake. 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 min, until edges are golden and centers set.
- Glaze. Whisk sugar, milk, and vanilla (plus brown butter if using) to a pourable gloss. Veil over warm rolls.
Read as H&F: no yeast waiting; balanced sweetness; cardamom for lift; a thin glaze that respects structure. If you taste “sugar” before “spice,” you’ve added too much.
Studio Variations
- Maple Vanilla — swap 1 tbsp milk in glaze for pure maple.
- Espresso Veil — dissolve ½ tsp instant espresso in the milk before whisking glaze.
- Salted Finish — a few flakes of sea salt over the glaze for snap.
Make-Ahead
- Assemble, cover, and chill up to 12 hours. Bake straight from cold + 3–4 min.
- Freeze unbaked spirals; bake from frozen + 6–8 min.
Serve With
- Black tea or a restrained cappuccino (no syrups).
- Fresh pears or sharp cheddar—contrast, not competition.
Quiet Luxury Cardamom Lift Gloss, Not Glop