You checked the recipe twice, paying attention to all the ingredients and advice, but your cinnamon roll dough not rising!
What went wrong?!
Because I know how that can be frustrating, I found all possible reasons for that annoying result. So, let’s check them, as well as some tips and recipes, and your cinnamon rolls will be perfect next time. I promise! 🙂
IN THIS ARTICLE:
Reasons Why Your Dough Didn’t Rise
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, that can happen. So it’s easier to understand what causes that result, so you won’t make the same mistakes. It’s not rocket science, don’t worry.
So if you having trouble getting your cinnamon roll dough to rise, there are several causes of that:
- Your Yeast Is Dead – Yeast is a single-cell organism that requires food, moisture and warmth to survive. There are several types of yeast, but you will need baker’s yeast for your cinnamon rolls. Then you have a choice of fresh yeast or active dry yeast (including instant yeast). If you choose to use active dry yeast, you can expect a longer bake time.
Test The Yeast:
- Pour the amount of warm water into a bowl, place the yeast in the bowl and stir with a pinch of sugar. After 1o minutes, you should see some bubbling, some foaming and a bready smell. Don’t put it in hot or cold water, it won’t work.
- Yeast And Salt – Bad combination! This sounds a bit weird, but your yeast shouldn’t come in direct contact with salt. Here’s the explanation – the salt can suck the moisture out of the yeast.
- Warm Place – You can place your dough on the kitchen counter or in the fridge. Keep in mind that when the dough is in the fridge, this is considered to be a slow rise (ideal for overnight). But when the dough rises on the counter, make sure it’s in a warm place. The proofing time is typically around an hour.
- Use Grease – You should grease your bowl and the cover. The dough you need for cinnamon rolls is sticky, so use grease and prevent sticking and tearing.
- Too Many Ingredients – Stick to the recipe you found and don’t add too many ingredients. They will impact yeast effectiveness because the addition of other ingredients (eggs, butter, milk) can slow down the yeast.
- Bad Timing – Again, this is related to yeast, but don’t rush. Give your yeast enough time to rise. Also, make sure the mixture and other parts have plenty of time to bulk up.
How Long Can Dough Sit Out On The Counter?
The maximum amount of time dough can sit out on the counter is four hours. The factors like temperature, characteristics of the sugars in the flour, amount of yeast and humidity of the room alter the length of rising.
Can I Still Bake Cinnamon Rolls That Did Not Rise?
Well, cinnamon rolls that didn’t rise will be flat. 😀 If that’s not a problem for you, go for it. But there is more, their taste will be different. So you can bake them, there are no health risks, but they won’t be the same.
There are alternative dishes that you can make out of cinnamon rolls that didn’t rise (you can make delicious crackers, pizza,…)
However, if you notice a moderate increase in the volume (at least 25%), then it’s certainly worth baking the rolls.
How To Fix Rolls That Did Not Rise – A Second Chance
Well, maybe your dough rises again like a Phoenix! Give it another chance. 😀
If the dough doesn’t rise, try preparing it at a higher temperature or increasing the room’s temperature. Another good technique is to add more sugar, yeast and water. Don’t use hot milk or water. The added ingredients will make it harder for yeast to expand a second time. You should give it enough time and space.
The flour you’re using is also important, you need flour with high protein content (all-purpose flour and bread flour are good). Give the dough a suitable-sized bowl to expand in.
How Do You Make Dough Rise In The Oven?
Since temperature is a crucial factor for yeast to rise, that makes an oven one of the best places to allow the yeast to swell. Some ovens even have proof settings that will set the ideal condition for your future cinnamon rolls.
You can preheat the oven to the lowest temperature for two minutes. After two minutes, turn the oven off and place the dough inside. Put the dough inside a covered glass bowl. Check it periodically.
How To Successfully Bake Cinnamon Roll Dough?
The rise in the dough should come from the sugar and flour, not the oil or butter. The good advice is to follow the bread-making technique because cinnamon rolls aren’t a cake. The first step includes flour, sugar, warm milk and yeast added to a bowl. When that starts to bubble, add warm milk, melted butter and salt.
Then you can gradually add flour. When the dough is pulling away from the sides of the mixing bowl and has a consistent surface (not sticky!), it’s a sign that the dough is properly mixed. Once the dough part is done, you need to cut, roll and bake the rolls.
Quick Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast and salt.
In a glass measuring cup, combine the sugar, butter, water and milk. Heat in the microwave until the mixture is hot and the butter is almost melted. Add the milk mixture into the flour mixture.
Add the egg and mix until a soft and sticky dough forms.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Knead by hand (or use a mixer) on a lightly floured surface for 3-4 minutes.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest on the counter for 5 minutes.
Once the dough has rested, roll it out on the lightly floured surface until it measures a 16x9 inch rectangle.
Prepare the filling by combining all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl (except for the butter).
Spread the butter over the top of the rolled dough, then cover with the filling.
Tightly roll the dough and cut into 12 portions.
Place the rolls into a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish and gently press a piece of aluminum foil over top.
Turn OFF your oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 25 minutes.
Remove the rolls from the oven and turn ON your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated, remove the foil and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before eating.
Ingredients
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast and salt.
In a glass measuring cup, combine the sugar, butter, water and milk. Heat in the microwave until the mixture is hot and the butter is almost melted. Add the milk mixture into the flour mixture.
Add the egg and mix until a soft and sticky dough forms.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Knead by hand (or use a mixer) on a lightly floured surface for 3-4 minutes.
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest on the counter for 5 minutes.
Once the dough has rested, roll it out on the lightly floured surface until it measures a 16x9 inch rectangle.
Prepare the filling by combining all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl (except for the butter).
Spread the butter over the top of the rolled dough, then cover with the filling.
Tightly roll the dough and cut into 12 portions.
Place the rolls into a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish and gently press a piece of aluminum foil over top.
Turn OFF your oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 25 minutes.
Remove the rolls from the oven and turn ON your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated, remove the foil and bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before eating.
Bonus: How To Make Cinnamon Rolls More Delicious?
If you are crazy about cinnamon rolls, you might want to find some ways in which you can improve their taste.
There are a few of them:
- Top them with sprinkles, pecans, orange zest, shredded coconut
- Coat them with different flavors (brown sugar)
- Add fresh and fruity flavors – Go for chopped pieces of pear, apple, persimmon, and blueberries (fresh or defrosted)
- Upgrade them with ha and bechamel sauce – Perfect for those who prefer the salty taste and meat. This mix of sweet and savory in one baked treat will give you an irresistible taste.
- Add some almond and chocolate flavor
- Try a combination of Nutella and strawberries
To Wrap It Up
It takes time to get familiar with cinnamon dough and all factors that cause its fall. We listed all the possible reasons why it can happen so know what to take care of next time you will prepare cinnamon rolls. Once you get the hang of it, making the delicious cinnamon rolls will get much easier. Everyone will want to know how you make such a tasty work of art!
