It's a big claim to make, but we feel confident that we've perfected the matcha cinnamon roll. A good cinnamon roll should have an excellent dough flavor and be moist, chewy, soft, and sticky — and let us tell you — these do NOT disappoint!
This matcha cinnamon roll is rich and sweet but perfectly balanced with the lush umami flavor of the matcha.
Why this is the perfect cinnamon bun recipe for novice bakers and beginners:
If a recipe that calls for dough scares you, fear not; this recipe is easy and makes for a fun afternoon activity with kids. It requires only simple ingredients and ones you likely already have in the pantry. It's made entirely by hand, so there is no need to get out special equipment like your mixer. The fewer the dishes, the better!
Now let's get cooking!
Ingredients you will need for the rolls:
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (Equivalent to 1 packet)
- ½ cup warm water (~110 °F , 43 °C)
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup scalding milk
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 3 ½-4 cups flour
Ingredients you will need for your matcha cinnamon spread:
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp matcha
Ingredients you will need for your glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3-5 tbsp hot water
- ½ tsp matcha
- 1 tsp vanilla
Directions: Make the dough, then cinnamon spread, then icing
1. Make the dough first. Dissolve yeast with warm water in a small bowl. Set aside. Mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast to the flour mixture, then mix in the remaining flour. Combine until dough becomes easy to handle. The dough should be tacky but not sticky.
2. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes.
3. Place dough in a well-greased bowl and let rise until dough has doubled in size. Depending on how warm your home is, it takes about 1-1 ½ hours.
4. When doubled, punch the dough down. On a floured surface, roll out into a 15x9" rectangle.
5. Now its time to make your matcha cinnamon spread! Mix sugar, matcha, and cinnamon, then spread ½ cup melted butter over the dough. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture on top of melted butter.
6. Beginning at the 15" side, roll up the dough. Pinch the edges together to seal. Cut into 10-12 slices.
7. On a greased cookie sheet, place cinnamon rolls close together on the pan. Loosely cover and let rise until doubled again- about 45 minutes.
8. Bake at 350F for about 25-30 minutes or until tops are slightly browned.
9. Next up is your icing! Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, and matcha. Add hot water 1 tbsp at a time until the glaze is desired consistency.
10. Drizzle glaze over slightly cooled rolls.
11. Sprinkle with matcha powder for an extra kick of umami and a health boost.
12. Enjoy!
Tips to keep in mind when making these matcha buns:
It's a relatively easy recipe, but it does require some forethought.
If you'd like to have these for brunch, we recommend making them the night before and heating them in the oven or microwave (for 15-25 seconds) before eating.
Make sure your yeast hasn't expired. Keeping your opened yeast in the fridge or freezer allows it to stay active for longer. You can test your yeast to ensure it's still active by mixing ¼ cup warm water, 1 tsp sugar, and 2 ¼ tsp yeast in a small glass. Wait 10 minutes. If the mixture bubbles and develops a yeasty aroma, you're good to go.
Be sure you're adding warm, but not hot, water to your wet ingredients. Warm water activates the yeast, but hot water will kill it.
Check-in with your dough while you're kneading it. You want to avoid drying out your dough by adding too much flour. But it also should be manageable to handle.
1 package of yeast is equal to 2 ¼ teaspoons of yeast. Feel free to use what you have!
When raising the dough, look for size rather than time. If your house is cooler, the rising time will be slightly longer, and vice versa.
Take your time rolling your dough. It doesn't need to be a perfect rectangle to make an excellent and beautiful roll.
Use dental floss or string to cut your rolls! We know this may sound crazy, but it makes cutting dough seamless, and you'll end up with perfectly shaped rolls.
Spoon your flour instead of scooping. Spooning your flour into a measuring cup and then using a butter knife to scrape off any extra ensures you don't accidentally wind up with too much flour. Too much flour= dry rolls.
The bottom line: Bake these matcha cinnamon buns!
These matcha cinnamon rolls melt in your mouth and are the perfect decadent dessert or brunch accompaniment.
Once you make them, they are likely to become a tried-and-true recipe for your family brunch ( like it us for my family!)
The best part of these rolls is how the umami taste balances out the sweetness of these rolls. Who knew matcha and cinnamon would make for such a fantastic flavor pairing? Not only do these matcha cinnamon rolls taste incredible, but they are also delicious and level up any breakfast table.
