Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls with Cafe au Lait Glaze

A Southern Morning with Family, Coffee, and Warm Cinnamon Rolls

Mornings in our home start early, earlier than I'd like most days. Between getting the kids ready, tending to everyone, and making sure everything is running smoothly, I've learned that a good breakfast can set the tone for the whole day. Some mornings it's as simple as a bowl of grits, but on special mornings those rare, slow ones where the sun spills golden light through the kitchen window, I love making something sweet and warm for my family.

I grew up believing that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and I carry that same truth with me now as a mother. It's where love is poured into meals, prayers are whispered over hot coffee, and laughter fills the air like the smell of cinnamon and fresh bread. There's something about the way a homemade treat brings everyone together, even the ones who usually stomp off to their rooms the second they step through the front door.

Our dog, Marney, knows it too. She'll curl up near the oven, tail wagging, while my older children race around, teasing each other and slipping treats to her when they think I'm not looking. Then there's Dawson, my sweet little boy, sitting in his highchair, babbling at the mixing spoon as if it holds all the secrets of the world. He giggles at the way the dough stretches between my fingers, reaching out as if he wants to grab it for himself. I know one day, he'll be right there beside me, covered in flour, just like his older siblings before him.

Now, nothing says home quite like the rich aroma of fresh cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven. But today, we're giving them a little Southern charm with toasted hazelnuts and a smooth cafe au lait glaze. If you love coffee as much as I do, especially that bold Louisiana-style brew, this recipe is a warm hug in the form of a cinnamon roll. It's perfect for slow Sunday mornings after church or for those rare, quiet afternoons when you just need something sweet with a cup of coffee.

So, tie that apron, turn on some good music (ABBA is always a favorite in my kitchen), and let's bake something that'll bring everyone running to the table.

Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls with Cafe au Lait Glaze

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

1 cup Warm Milk

1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Packet Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

1/2 Cup Unsalted Butter, Melted

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon Salt

3 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1/4 Cup Ground Hazelnuts

1 Large Egg

Directions:

1.) In a large bowl, mix warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast. Let sit for five minutes to activate the yeast. Add melted butter, vanilla, salt, ground hazelnuts, and egg. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, until a dough forms. Knead for five minutes until smooth. Cover with a clean cloth and let rise in a warm place for about one hour or until doubled in size.

*Prepare the filling*

For the Filling:

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, Packed

2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Cup Ground Hazelnuts

2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Softened

1 tablespoon Hazelnut Spread (Nutella

Directions:

1.) While the dough rises, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and ground hazelnut in a bowl. Set aside. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Spread softened butter on the dough, then sprinkle with the sugar-hazelnut mixture and drizzle hazelnut spread on top.

2.) Shape the rolls. Starting from the long edge of the dough, tightly roll it into a log. Slice into 12 equal rolls and place them in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise for thirty minutes.

3.) Preheat your oven to 350F. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

*Make the Glaze*

For the Cafe au Lait Glaze:

1 Cup Powdered Sugar

2 tablespoons Brewed Coffee of Chicory Coffee (strong)

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1.) While the rolls are done baking, whisk together powdered sugar, brewed coffee, and vanilla until smooth.

2.) Once the rolls are done baking, allow them to cool slightly before drizzling with the cafe au lait glaze.

So, I hope these rolls bring warmth to your home, just as they do to mine. 

Enjoy!