At our cafe, we love giving traditional recipes a fresh twist. This time, we made an unexpected pairing: cinnamon rolls and purple sweet potatoes. This unique ingredient not only gives the cinnamon rolls a nice hue but also a subtle earthy taste that pairs well with the cinnamon.

Ingredients
For the Dough:

• ¾ cup warm milk (whole milk or 2% preferred) (110 degrees F)
• 2 ¼ teaspoons quick rise or active yeast (1/4-ounce package yeast)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
• ¼ cup butter, melted (I prefer salted, but unsalted works, too)
• 3 cups bread flour, plus more for dusting
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar (light brown sugar also works)
• 1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• Purple sweet potato paste (to preference)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Warm the milk to around 110 degrees F. In an electric mixer bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Add sugar, egg, egg yolk, and melted butter. Mix well. Gradually stir in flour and salt until a dough forms. Knead the dough using a mixer for 8 minutes until it’s slightly sticky. If mixing by hand, knead for 8-10 minutes on a floured surface.
2. Rising Time: Transfer the dough to an oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise for 1 to 1 ½ hours or until doubled in size.
3. Filling Application: Roll out the risen dough into a 14x9 inch rectangle on a floured surface. Spread the softened butter, followed by a generous spread of the purple sweet potato paste. In a separate bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mix over the buttered dough, ensuring even coverage.
4. Rolling & Cutting: Roll the dough tightly from the 9-inch side. Trim any uneven edges. Cut into 9 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9x9 inch baking pan.
5. Second Rise: Cover the rolls and let them rise again for 30-45 minutes.
6. Baking: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the rolls for 20-25 minutes until they have a slight golden brown hue. Remember, slightly underbaking ensures they remain soft!
7. Frosting: While the rolls cool, prepare the frosting by beating together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the slightly cooled rolls.

Note: During my experiment, I found that being generous with the butter in the filling ensures a moister result. So, don't hold back. You can also add other toppings on such as walnuts just like I did here. Try to make these cinnamon rolls at your home. We always believe in experimenting and creating delightful dishes for our patrons. Stay tuned for more recipes and stories from our kitchen!