Cinnamon Rolls: Grease Or No Grease?

Greasing a pan is an essential step in baking to prevent your goods from sticking. Cinnamon rolls are no exception. While you can use parchment paper or aluminium foil, greasing the pan with butter or oil is a common step in many cinnamon roll recipes. Some recipes also call for flouring the pan after greasing it. This traditional method is a foolproof way to ensure your cinnamon rolls don't stick to the pan.

Cinnamon roll recipe with mashed potato

Greasing a pan is an important step in baking to prevent your goods from sticking to the pan. You can use butter or shortening, butter and flour, butter and sugar, non-stick cooking spray, or line the pan with foil or parchment paper.

Now, for a cinnamon roll recipe with mashed potato!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup finely mashed potatoes
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast (2 packets)
• ½ cup warm water
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 7–8 ½ cups flour
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 5 tablespoons milk
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Place ½ cup butter in a bowl and pour hot milk over it. Add sugar, mashed potatoes, and salt. Allow to cool slightly.
• Dissolve yeast in ½ cup warm water. Add to the milk mixture with eggs and 4 cups of flour. Beat until smooth.
• Add the remaining flour ½ cup at a time until a soft dough forms.
• When the dough is ready, transfer it to a clean, floured surface and knead for 1-2 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 45 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking sheet or large casserole dish.
• Roll the dough into a large rectangle, about ½ inch thick. Spread the softened butter onto the dough. Mix together the sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the buttered dough.
• Tightly roll one long side to the other and pinch the seam to seal. Cut into about 16 sections.
• Place the sections swirl-side up/down onto the greased dish or baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden.
• For the frosting, cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add milk, powdered sugar, and vanilla, and mix for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Drizzle over the warm cinnamon rolls and serve.

Butter and flour

Greasing your pan with butter and flour is a traditional method that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a foolproof way to ensure your cinnamon rolls don't stick to the pan. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grease your pan with butter and flour:

Step 1: Prepare the Butter

Use a stick of butter to run it around the bottom and sides of your pan. Alternatively, if you are using a tub of butter or shortening, use a paper towel to wipe it all over the pan.

Step 2: Add Flour

Add a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour to the pan. Rotate and tap the pan until the flour covers every greased surface. Discard any remaining flour.

Step 3: Optional - Add Parchment Paper

If you want to be extra sure that your cinnamon rolls won't stick, you can cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your pan. Grease the parchment paper with butter and then flour it before adding your cinnamon roll dough.

Tips:

• If you are making a layer cake, it is recommended to use the parchment paper method to ensure your cake comes out in one piece.
• Even if you are using a non-stick pan, it is still a good idea to grease and flour your pan to guarantee that your cinnamon rolls will release easily.
• If you are making quick bread, such as banana bread, you can use sugar instead of flour when greasing your pan. This will give your bread a nice crunchy exterior!

Butter and sugar

Greasing a pan with butter and sugar is a traditional method that has been passed down through generations. It is a foolproof way to ensure that your baked goods don't stick to the pan. This method is especially useful if you don't have non-stick cooking spray or parchment paper on hand.

To grease a pan with butter and sugar, start by using a stick of butter to run it around the bottom and sides of the pan. Alternatively, you can use a paper towel to wipe the butter all over the pan. Then, add a tablespoon or two of sugar to the pan. Rotate and tap the pan until the sugar covers every greased surface. Finally, discard any remaining sugar.

Using butter and sugar to grease a pan is a great option for quick breads, like banana bread, as it gives a nice crunch to the outside of the bread. However, this method is not recommended for cakes.

Non-stick cooking spray

When using non-stick cooking spray, simply spray the bottle to coat the item you are using. Many recipes call for greasing a pan or using non-stick cooking spray, and it can be used in any area you want to prevent sticking.

However, one drawback of non-stick cooking spray is the build-up of residue due to the lecithin. For this reason, it is not recommended for use on non-stick cookware, as the combination can make cleaning difficult.

Additionally, non-stick cooking spray should be stored and used with caution. It should be kept in a cool, dark place, away from heat sources and open flames. The aerosol cans are flammable, so proper storage and handling are important.

Parchment paper

When using parchment paper, it is recommended to crumple the paper into a ball and then flatten it out before placing it in the pan. This prevents the paper from curling up. You can also use butter or cooking spray on the parchment paper for good measure, although some bakers have reported success with plain parchment paper.

Additionally, parchment paper helps to prevent your cinnamon rolls from burning. This is because it creates a barrier between the pan and the dough, reducing the chances of the rolls sticking to the pan and burning.

Overall, parchment paper is a convenient and effective option for baking cinnamon rolls, and it can be used in combination with other greasing methods to ensure your rolls don't stick.

Frequently asked questions