Healthified Whole Grain Cinnamon Rolls

When some girlfriends came over for some hang out time the other day I wanted to make them a yummy snack, something "bready," but not something that would make us all feel like we needed to fast for the rest of the day. So I made my mostly-healthy whole grain cinnamon rolls.  Want to try them?

Here's the recipe!  These rolls can be put together relatively quickly.  They don't need an initial rise; they only need plenty of time to double right before you bake them.

Mostly-Healthy Whole Grain Cinnamon Rolls
Makes 9 medium rolls

Dough:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I use fresh flour from my Nutrimill, but store-bought would be fine)
1 1/2 tbsp. ground flaxmeal
1 tsp. instant yeast (If you just have packets, one packet of yeast is fine)
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp. skim milk, warmed (a nice comfortable "warm" temperature, not hot)
3/4 tbsp. canola oil (or vegetable oil, but canola oil is slightly better for you)
2 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. salt

Filling:
2 tbsp. softened butter
1/2 cup (not packed) brown sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon

Glaze: (these measurements are approximations.  Basically, you want a thin, pourable glaze)
1 tbsp. butter, melted
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp. skim milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla

In a medium bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix dough ingredients until just combined.  Let stand for 10 minutes to "hydrate the whole grains."  (If you don't have a clue what that means, it doesn't really matter.)  Knead dough well.  If you are using your stand mixture, use the paddle (at speed 2) rather than the dough hook, because this is a small amount of dough.  Let dough stand for 10 minutes, covered.  Roll out to a long rectangle, about 13 x 9 inches.  Spread the dough with the softened butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Roll up from a long side, pinching to seal the seam.  Slice into 9 slices, about 1 1/2 inches thick.  Place in a greased 9x9 inch pan.  Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until puffy, about 1 hour.  (If you want to make these ahead, let them rise for about 45 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.  Then bake as follows.)  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Bake for 20 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Meanwhile, mix together glaze ingredients, adding powdered sugar or milk to make it the right consistency for drizzling or "painting."  Pour the glaze over the hot rolls. (I use a pastry brush to "paint the glaze evenly over the rolls.)

Enjoy!!