© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 31

I have officially given into the idea that it’s the holiday season. My Christmas tree and lights are up and I’ve discovered these delicious cinnamon buns that will guide me through winter! 

These pillowy delights are proof that if my two favourite bakers, Joy the Baker and The Pioneer Woman (Ree Drummond) had a food baby, it would end in deliciousness overload. I love those two ladies, and when I came across this recipe a couple years ago on Joy’s blog, I knew I had to make them. I am so glad I did. During her visit to Ree’s ranch, Joy made The Pioneer Woman’s infamous cinnamon roll recipe and spiced it up with some of her own filling ingredients. Bring on the crunchy pistachios, fresh orange and sinful dark chocolate. You can use any type of filling that your heart desires, really. Dried cranberries and white chocolate chips come to mind. You can even do blueberries and almonds. The possibilities are endless. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 1

In a large sauce pan (I prefer a dutch oven), add your whole milk. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 2

Add your oil. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 3

Then add your sugar. 

Stir well. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 4

On medium heat, warm milk until steaming but not boiling. 

Remove from stovetop.

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 9

Leave on counter until milk cools to room temperature. 

I used 105 degrees fahrenheit as a good gauge. 

Add in your yeast and let it sit in the milk mixture for about a minute.

You don’t want the milk to be too hot or else it kills the yeast and your dough won’t rise. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 8

Add 4 cups of flour to the yeast mixture.

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 7

Stir until just combined. 

Cover with lid or plastic wrap and place bowl in a warm spot for 1 hour.

After 30 minutes, check to see if your dough has risen a bit. 

If it hasn’t, you might want to start over. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 6

After 1 hour, your dough should look airy and double in size.

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 10

Add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix well to combine. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 11

Should look like so. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 12

Take half your dough and place on a well floured surface. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 13

Roll out dough in a 12″ x 8″ rectangle.

Or something that resembles a rectangle. 

I didn’t inherit Claudia’s dough rolling abilities. I am a terrible Ukrainian daughter. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 14

Brush half of the melted butter onto the dough until it is completely covered. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 15

Mix your cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.

Sprinkle half of your sugar and cinnamon mixture onto the dough to cover completely. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 19

Sprinkle half of your pistachios, dark chocolate and orange zest over the dough. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 20

How amazing does this look?!

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 18

Starting with the edge furthest away from you, roll the dough towards you, pulling slightly to ensure it’s rolled up tight. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 17

Should look like so. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 21

Cut dough into 8 equal pieces. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 16

Place dough rolls into a well greased 9″ round or 8″ x 8″ square pan. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 22

Allow to rest for 10 minutes.

You should notice they puff up a little in size. 

Repeat the same filling steps for the second half of dough.

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 23

Bake in a 375 degree fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes, or until the buns are golden grown and bubbly. 

Remove and allow to rest in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 25

While the cinnamon buns are resting, make your icing. 

Combine your powdered sugar, vanilla and fresh orange juice in a medium bowl. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 26

Whisk until smooth. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 28

Brush icing over the warm cinnamon buns to coat as much as you like. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 30

Serve immediately. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 33

These cinnamon buns are the perfect balance of sweet, rich and savoury. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 36

The pistachios add such a nice crunchy texture while the dark chocolate oozes with the warm icing. 

© Claudia's Cookbook - Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange and Dark Chocolate 35

The orange icing isn’t overly strong and tastes divine!

Enjoy! 

Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange & Dark Chocolate
Yields 16
A delicious holiday breakfast treat!
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Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
1 hr 20 min
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
1 hr 20 min
For the cinnamon buns
  1. 2 cups whole milk
  2. 1/2 cup canola oil
  3. 1/2 cup white sugar
  4. 2-1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  5. 4-1/2 cups of flour, divided
  6. 1/2 tsp baking powder
  7. 1/2 tsp baking soda
  8. scant 2 tsp salt
For the filling
  1. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  2. 1/2 cup white sugar
  3. ground cinnamon, to taste
  4. zest of 1 orange
  5. 1/2 cup salted pistachios, shelled and coarsely chopped
  6. 4 oz. dark chocolate, finely chopped
For the glaze
  1. 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
  2. 3 tbsp fresh orange juice
  3. 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
  1. In a large sauce pan (I prefer a dutch oven), add your whole milk, oil and sugar. Mix well to combine.
  2. On medium heat, warm milk until steaming but not boiling.
  3. Remove from stovetop and allow to cool to room temperature. I used 105 degrees fahrenheit as a good gauge.
  4. Add in your yeast and let it sit in the milk mixture for about a minute. You don’t want the milk to be too hot or else it kills the yeast and your dough won’t rise.
  5. Add 4 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until just combined.
  6. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and place bowl in a warm spot for 1 hour. After 30 minutes, check to see if your dough has risen a bit. If it hasn’t, you might want to start over.
  7. After 1 hour, your dough should look airy and double in size.
  8. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix well to combine.
  9. Take half your dough and place on a well floured surface.
  10. Roll out dough in a 12″ x 8″ rectangle.
  11. Brush half of the melted butter onto the dough until it is completely covered.
  12. Mix your cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
  13. Sprinkle half of your sugar and cinnamon mixture onto the dough to cover completely.
  14. Sprinkle half of your pistachios, dark chocolate and orange zest over the dough.
  15. Starting with the edge furthest away from you, roll the dough towards you, pulling slightly to ensure it’s rolled up tight.
  16. Cut dough into 8 equal pieces.
  17. Repeat the same steps as above for the second half of dough.
  18. Place dough rolls into a well greased 9″ round or 8″ x 8″ square pan.
  19. Allow to rest for 10 minutes. You should notice they puff up a little in size.
  20. Bake in a 375 degree fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes, or until the buns are golden grown and bubbly.
  21. Remove and allow to rest in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
  22. While the cinnamon buns are resting, make your icing. Combine your powdered sugar, vanilla and fresh orange juice in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  23. Brush icing over the warm cinnamon buns to coat as much as you like.
  24. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
  1. You can add any filling items you like to this cinnamon bun recipe. Dried cranberries would make it even more festive!
Adapted from Joy the Baker
Adapted from Joy the Baker
Claudia's Cookbook http://www.claudiascookbook.com/

 

1 Comment on Holiday Cinnamon Buns with Pistachio, Orange & Dark Chocolate

  1. Deborah Atherton
    March 1, 2019 at 9:57 AM (5 years ago)

    when do you add the baking powder and baking soda? I don’t see it in the instructions

    Reply

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