Secret Ingredient For Moist Cinnamon Rolls: Pear Baby Food

Pear baby food is the secret ingredient that gives these low-fat cinnamon rolls sumptuous texture and moistness without added fat. The recipe is from “Rise Up to Good Nutrition with Homemade Bread,” published by the American Dietetic Association. Each roll contains 1 gram of fat.

Low-Fat Cinnamon Rolls

Recipe from The American Dietetic Association and Fleischmann’s Yeast.

2-1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 package rapid-rise yeast

2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup very warm water (120 to 130 degrees)

1 (6-ounce) jar pear baby food

3 egg whites

1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

2 tablespoons honey

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup raisins

Powdered Sugar Icing (recipe below)

In large bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, the granulated sugar, undissolved yeast, dry milk and salt. Stir in water and baby food. Stir in egg whites, whole-wheat flour and enough remaining all-purpose flour to make soft dough.

On lightly floured surface, knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Cover; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.

Roll dough to 18- by 12-inch rectangle. Brush honey on dough; sprinkle evenly with brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly; pinch seam to seal.

Cut into 12 equal pieces. Place, cut sides up, in greased 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Cover and let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Drizzle with powdered sugar icing.

Yield: 12 rolls.

Powdered Sugar Icing: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, 3 to 4 teaspoons nonfat milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; mix until smooth.

Nutrition information per roll: 241 calories, 1 gram fat (4 percent fat calories), no cholesterol, 172 milligrams sodium, 54 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams dietary fiber, 7 grams protein.