Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls: A Flaky, Sweet Indulgence
Remember those delightful orange cinnamon butterflake rolls we crafted previously? Well, prepare your taste buds for an equally enchanting, yet distinctly different, treat: our new maple glazed cinnamon butterflake rolls recipe! If you’ve yet to experience the magic of a butterflake roll, imagine the irresistible warmth of classic cinnamon rolls beautifully combined with the flaky, tender layers of a pull-apart dinner roll. It’s truly the best of both worlds, elevated with a luxurious maple glaze.
We’ve always cherished the inherent simplicity of a butterflake roll – its ease of preparation and its inviting, soft texture. But by generously layering it with a rich, aromatic cinnamon mixture and then crowning it with a decadent maple glaze, we’ve transformed ordinary rolls into something extraordinary. Forget your usual breakfast pastries; we’re talking about a magnificent fusion, a delightful mashup between the comforting sweetness of classic cinnamon rolls and the distinct, buttery goodness of a maple bar. This is our latest creation, the irresistible Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Roll!
For those who adore cinnamon rolls as much as we do, you absolutely must try our apple cinnamon rolls as well! Perhaps not all on the same day, but they are equally scrumptious and offer a wonderful fruity twist to a beloved classic. These rolls are perfect for any occasion, from a special holiday breakfast to a cozy weekend brunch, or even as a comforting dessert after a family meal.
When it comes to the delightful finish, these Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls offer two distinct glaze options to suit your preference. You can opt for a generous, heavy maple glaze, reminiscent of a classic maple bar, for an intensely sweet and rich experience. Alternatively, for those seeking a less indulgent touch, a very light glaze provides just enough sweetness without being overpowering. Both variations are undeniably delicious. For the lighter glaze, simply adjust by using a bit more liquid and slightly less maple extract in your mixture.
One of the joys of making these rolls is getting the kids involved. While the kitchen shears can make me a little nervous with younger children around, we have a wonderful system. I take on the task of carefully cutting the dough, and they get to enjoy the wonderfully messy, sticky fun of rubbing the butter-cinnamon mixture all over the rolls before they go into the oven. It’s a fantastic sensory experience for them and ensures everyone contributes to the baking process.
Our children, each with their unique personality, approach this part differently. One meticulously uses her tiny fingers to coat every nook and cranny of the rolls, ensuring thorough coverage. Another, quite to the contrary, prefers to use a pastry brush, adamantly avoiding any sticky fingers – heaven forbid their hands get dirty! It’s these small, shared moments in the kitchen that make baking these butterflake rolls even more special.
The Convenience of Rhodes Rolls: A Smart Baking Hack
Using Rhodes frozen dinner rolls is an absolute game-changer, making this recipe incredibly accessible for even novice bakers. It’s a brilliant hack for achieving homemade-quality rolls without the fuss of preparing dough from scratch. However, some people can get a little flustered, often underestimating the time still required. Even though you bypass the dough-making process, these frozen gems still need ample time to thaw and rise properly.
Remember, you’re working with frozen dough, so patience is key! Ensure you allocate sufficient time for the rolls to reach their full potential. With thawing, the initial rise, and the final bake, the total time will typically be around 4 hours. It’s essential not to rush this process, as proper rising is crucial for the rolls’ light, fluffy texture and signature pull-apart layers. Place them in a warm, draft-free spot, and cover them loosely to create an ideal environment for them to double in size.
Once the rolls have transformed into soft, fluffy clouds, you can confidently proceed with the recipe steps. They will still require a final rise after shaping, just before they enter the oven. Don’t panic – I actually adore recipes like this precisely because of the built-in waiting periods. While the dough is doing its magic, doubling in size and developing its flavor, I can hunker down and tackle other tasks around the house or simply enjoy a quiet moment. Just because bread-making often takes all day, it certainly doesn’t mean you’re tethered to the kitchen for the entire duration. In fact, it’s one of the best kinds of baking because it offers extended periods away from active cooking.
Crafting the Perfect Maple Glaze
The maple glaze is undeniably a star component of these butterflake rolls, designed to emulate the rich, sweet topping of your favorite maple bar. For the creamiest and most luxurious glaze, I’ve found that heavy cream works best, lending an unparalleled richness. However, if heavy cream isn’t on hand, whole milk can be a perfectly suitable substitute in a pinch, though the texture might be slightly thinner.
The true secret to an exceptional maple glaze lies in selecting a high-quality maple extract, not merely a “maple flavoring.” There’s a significant difference! Maple extract provides a concentrated, authentic maple flavor that permeates the glaze beautifully. Don’t be tempted to opt for the cheapest option, as the flavor profile can be noticeably inferior. While it doesn’t need to be the most expensive, ensure it possesses a robust, genuine maple aroma and taste. It’s crucial to note that this recipe specifically calls for maple extract, not maple syrup, because the extract delivers a much more intense and focused maple essence.
You have complete control over the consistency of your glaze. Whether you prefer it thick and opaque, like a luscious dessert topping, or thin and translucent for a delicate sheen, it entirely depends on your mood and the occasion. Sometimes, we desire a lavish, dessert-like experience, opting for a thick, maple-bar-style glaze. Other times, especially when serving these rolls alongside a savory winter meal, we prefer to thin it out slightly, allowing the roll’s flavors to shine through more subtly. Adjust the liquid content (cream or milk) gradually until you achieve your desired thickness.
How Do You Make Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls?
Creating these delightful Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls is a straightforward process, largely thanks to the convenience of frozen dough. Follow these steps for a perfect batch:
- Thaw the Rolls: Arrange 24 frozen Rhodes dinner rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish or a similarly sized rectangular pan, ensuring they aren’t touching each other. Cover the dish loosely with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Allow the rolls to thaw in a warm place for 2-3 hours, or until they are completely soft and puffy.
- Prepare the Rolls for Layers: Take two thawed dinner rolls and gently roll them into a single, cohesive ball. Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, make five deep slits into the roll, cutting almost all the way to the bottom but keeping the layers connected at the base. Carefully and gently spread these layers slightly apart to create pockets for the cinnamon mixture. Repeat this process with the remaining rolls.
- Apply the Cinnamon Filling: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter (it must be fully melted, not just softened), brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until the mixture resembles wet, fragrant sand. Using your fingers, generously rub this cinnamon-sugar paste all over each shaped roll, making sure to work it deeply into every slit you created. This ensures maximum flavor distribution throughout the flaky layers.
- Second Rise: Place the cinnamon-coated rolls into a greased muffin tin. Spray a piece of plastic wrap with cooking spray to prevent sticking, and then loosely cover the muffin tin. Allow the rolls to rise in a warm place until they have doubled significantly in size, which may take another 1-2 hours depending on the warmth of your environment.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Once the rolls have fully risen, carefully remove the plastic wrap. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Bake the rolls for 15-16 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Glaze While Warm: As soon as the rolls are finished baking, carefully remove them from the muffin tin. While they are still warm, either brush the prepared maple icing generously over the tops of the rolls or, for a more even and thick coating, simply dip the tops of the rolls directly into a bowl of icing.
- For the Maple Frosting: To prepare the maple frosting, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream (or whole milk), and maple extract in a bowl until smooth. The icing should have a pourable consistency. If it appears too thick, gradually add a little more cream until it reaches your desired thinness.
Can You Freeze Butterflake Rolls?
Yes, you absolutely can freeze butterflake rolls to enjoy later, but there’s a crucial caveat: do not freeze them after they have been frosted. The maple frosting, with its delicate balance of sugar and liquid, tends to become watery or develop an undesirable texture once frozen and thawed. To maintain the best quality and taste, the frosting should always be made fresh on the day you plan to serve the rolls.
You have a couple of convenient options for freezing these delicious treats if you wish to prepare them ahead of time. You can either freeze them after you have assembled them with the cinnamon mixture, but before their final rise and baking. In this case, simply arrange the prepared rolls in a freezer-safe container or bag, ensuring they are well-sealed. When you’re ready to bake, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then let them come to room temperature and complete their final rise before baking as directed. Alternatively, you can bake the rolls completely, then allow them to cool fully before freezing them, again, unfrosted. This method works well for quick reheating. No matter which pre-baking stage you choose, always make the maple frosting fresh for serving for that signature flavor and texture.
Can You Refrigerate the Dough?
Absolutely! Refrigerating the prepared dough is a fantastic time-saving strategy, especially if you’re planning a fresh batch of warm rolls for breakfast. After the rolls have undergone their initial thaw and you’ve assembled them by combining two rolls, cutting the slits, and applying the cinnamon-butter mixture, you can then cover them tightly with plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator.
This “cold rise” method slows down the yeast activity significantly, allowing you to prepare the rolls the night before. The next morning, simply pull the covered muffin tin out of the fridge while your oven preheats. This allows the dough to slightly warm up and complete any remaining rise before baking. Then, bake them as directed in the recipe card. This approach guarantees freshly baked, warm, and wonderfully fragrant Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls with minimal effort on a busy morning, making them perfect for leisurely weekend brunches or holiday gatherings.
Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls: A Celebration of Flavor
No matter whether you opt for a generously thick, dessert-like glaze or a lighter, more delicate topping, these Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls are guaranteed to be a showstopper. Your guests will be singing your praises by the end of the evening, and even if it’s just your immediate family enjoying them, that alone is worth every effort. Imagine the joy of seeing your spouse’s delight, perhaps so impressed that they might even offer to run some errands and clean the house for you while you sit back and enjoy your favorite book. Maybe… but one thing’s for sure: these rolls will bring warmth, comfort, and deliciousness to your table!
More Sweet Rolls Recipes to Love:
- Orange Sweet Rolls
- Raspberry Sweet Rolls
- World’s Best Cinnamon Rolls
- Apple Cinnamon Rolls
- Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Rolls
Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls
Ingredients
- 24 Rolls, Rhodes Frozen Dinner
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Butter, unsalted, melted
- 4 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 ¾ teaspoons Cinnamon
Maple Glaze
- 3/4 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream
- 1-2 teaspoons Maple Extract
Instructions
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Place frozen rolls in a 9×13-inch baking dish so that they aren’t touching and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to thaw for 2-3 hours or until soft.24 Rolls
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Combine two dinner rolls and roll into a ball. Using kitchen scissors, cut five deep slits almost to the bottom of the roll and gently spread the layers slightly. Repeat with remaining rolls.
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Combine melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and mix until it appears like wet sand. Using your fingers rub the cinnamon/sugar paste all over the rolls and get inside every slit.1 ½ Tablespoons Butter, 4 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, 1 ¾ teaspoons Cinnamon
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Place in a greased muffin tin. Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and loosely cover rolls to rise until doubled.
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When the rolls have risen, remove the plastic wrap and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-16 minutes. Carefully remove rolls from muffin tin as soon as they are finished baking and brush the maple icing over the warm rolls, or lately we’ve merely rolled the tops in the bowl of icing.
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Serve warm.
For the Glaze
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Whisk together the powdered sugar, cream and maple extract. The icing should be very thin. If it’s too thick, add a little more cream.3/4 Cups Powdered Sugar, 1-2 teaspoons Maple Extract, 1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Apple Pull Apart Bread with Maple Glaze
Oh, how we adore this apple pull-apart bread with maple glaze! It’s a wonderfully sweet and simple treat that tastes just like homemade apple pie, but conveniently in bread form. If you’ve enjoyed the delightful Maple Glazed Cinnamon Butterflake Rolls, you’ll be pleased to know that this recipe utilizes many of the same comforting ingredients and shares a similar, easy-to-love philosophy. It’s another fantastic option for breakfast, brunch, or a heartwarming dessert that brings the cozy flavors of autumn to your table any time of year.
