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Vegetarian Recipes

SWEET POTATO CINNAMON ROLLS

We made another ebook! Sprouted Kitchen Holidays is a collection of a handful of my favorite recipes from SK Cooking Club, plus a few more, and we made a beautiful online resource for your seasonal table. There are 25 recipes that feel good for celebrating, regardless that this year will be different than any other. Check the link to the shop page for more details and reach out if there are any questions!

I am including the recipe for our family tradition of Christmas morning cinnamon rolls here. They have a little bit of baked sweet potato in them to keep them tender, but are by all means decadent. You can start these the day before, and let them sit in the fridge overnight, and the early bird pulls them out while the oven preheats Christmas morning. I’ve also heard they freeze well! Once you cut and load them in your baking dish, cover them with a layer of parchment paper and freeze. The evening before, leave them on the counter at room temperature to thaw and proof, before baking the following morning. We have a post coming up next week for the savory crowd, albeit just as creamy and delicious, before we all take a sharp turn into kale and salads come January.

The ebook is available in the shop, and should you need a virtual gift, or want to sync up your menu with someone you cannot be with the holiday, there is a gift option as well.

Thank you for your support of all things Sprouted Kitchen, and wishing you wellness into the new year.

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Serves 8-10

I can often makes swaps for gluten-free baked goods, but not here. I don’t know the science of gluten and yeast. The dairy however, can be replaced with a vegan butter and non-dairy milk of choice. If the sweet potato step here sounds fussy, 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree will do the trick.

Heads up! Start these the day before you need to bake them!

Ingredients

For the dough

1 cup of warm milk (no warmer than 110°)
2 1/2 tsp. of active dry yeast
2 eggs
1/3 cup of unsalted butter – melted
1/3 cup of cooked sweet potatoes flesh
1/2 tsp. of sea salt
1/3 cup of cane sugar
4 1/2 cups of all purpose flour, divided

For the filling

1 cup of light brown sugar
2 Tbsp. of cinnamon
1/3 cup of unsalted butter – room temp
1/2 cup of chopped pecans – optional

For the frosting

4 oz. of cream cheese
3 Tbsp. of unsalted butter
1/4 cup of maple syrup
3/4 cup of powdered sugar
1 tsp. of vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt

Directions

Warm the milk (not super hot, just above body temp.). Stir in the yeast and let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve.

Into a stand mixer with knead attachment, add the milk mixture, eggs, incorporate them in well. Stir in the butter, potato flesh, salt and sugar to combine. Add 4 1/4 cups of the flour, 1 cup at a time, reserve the last 1/4 cup for rolling them out. Work everything together to combine for a minute, then dump the dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough by pushing it with the heels of your hands and pulling it back to you on repeat for about 5 minutes. Roll it into a smooth little dough baby, cover it with a dish towel or plastic wrap and let it rise until it doubles in size. This time of year, since it’s a little chillier, this will take no less than an hour, likely two. Go do something else and just leave it alone.

While you’re waiting, stir the brown sugar, cinnamon and butter together. It should look like a thick paste. Roll the dough out into a 1/4” thick rectangle, about 14” in length. No need to bust out a ruler, just guess. Spread the brown sugar butter mixture all across the top. Sprinkle pecan or walnut pieces in there if you like nuts. Starting with the long side, roll the dough down into a log. Cut the log into roughly 3” thick pieces (you can make them smaller or larger to your preference). Arrange them with an inch of space between in one or two greased baking dishes. I don’t need 14 rolls for just my family, so I bake half in a 10” cast iron skillet and put the rest in a second baking dish to gift). (This much can be done a day in advance and leave them covered in the fridge. Whomever wakes up first in the morning, should pull them from the fridge so they can rest and rise for at least one hour before baking. You can also freeze them, and pull them out to the counter when you go to bed the evening prior to wanting to bake them) Cover the rolls loosely with a dish towel and let them rise another hour.

Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake the rolls on the middle rack for 20 minutes. While the rolls bake, whip up your frosting. In a stand mixer or with an electric mixer (or by hand with your strong muscles), mix the cream cheese and butter together until well combined and smooth (about 5 minutes in a stand mixer). Add the maple, powdered sugar, vanilla and pinch of salt and mix again. While the rolls are still warm but not piping hot, spread the frosting across the top and let it drip into the crannies. Enjoy warm!



Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls . Sprouted Kitchen

10

Tender cinnamon rolls made with sweet potato.

  • 1 cup of milk
  • 2 1/2 tsp. of active dry yeast
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup of unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup of cooked sweet potatoes
  • 1/2 tsp. of sea salt
  • 1/3 cup of cane sugar
  • 4 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
  • 1 cup of light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. of cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup of unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup of chopped pecans
  • 4 oz. of cream cheese
  • 3 Tbsp. of unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup of maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup of powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla extract

596 calories26 grams fat83 grams carbohydrate10 grams protein

PT2H

PT20M

PT2H20M

American

Breakfast

breakfast, dessert, holiday

Vegetarian Recipes

Ricotta Toast 4 Ways

I love a slice of avocado toast as much as the next person, but have you ever tried Ricotta Toast? Now, that’s what I call a breakfast upgrade! I whip creamy ricotta cheese with lemon zest, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt to create a luxurious (but budget-friendly!) tangy spread that stores well in the fridge and tastes AMAZING on a slice of crispy sourdough toast. But my favorite part? There are endless ways to dress up ricotta toast, and I’ve shared four delicious variations below!

Overhead view of ricotta toast 4 ways.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this whipped ricotta toast recipe:

  • Whole Milk Ricotta: This is a creamy, slightly sweet, soft cheese made from the whey leftovers from making other types of cheese, like mozzarella. I recommend using whole milk ricotta to get the creamiest texture and best flavor for your toast.
  • Sourdough: You can use any type of bread you’d usually use to make toast. But, in my opinion, the best bread for ricotta toast is one that’s sturdy with a chewy crumb and crisp crust—like sourdough! I buy a whole loaf and slice it myself to get nice, thick slices. Other good options include whole grain, ciabatta, French bread, or bagels!
  • Lemon Zest: I zest a whole lemon and mix it with the creamy cheese. This adds the most delicious citrusy zing to the spread. Budget-friendly tip: Store the zested lemon in your fridge to make lemon water, lemonade, or to use in other recipes (like our homemade lemon curd!)
  • Olive Oil: Adds flavor and helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy.
  • Salt: It doesn’t matter if I’m making sweet or savory ricotta on toast; I always add a pinch of salt to make the flavors pop.

Tips & Suggestions!

  1. I highly recommend using whole milk ricotta. The higher fat content helps the cheese to whip up smooth and creamy with a cloud-like texture. Plus, the flavor is unbeatable! Lower fat options can be too watery and won’t whip to the same consistency. BUT if that’s all you have on hand, please don’t waste it! The texture won’t be the same as what’s shown in my process photos below, but it’ll still work as a topping for toast.
  2. Don’t have a hand mixer? Try your food processor! You could also whip it by hand, but it’ll take a lot longer and require some serious arm strength.
  3. It’s pretty common for ricotta to have a small amount of liquid (whey) on top when you open the container. Whenever that happens, I just stir it in before measuring my cheese.
  4. This creamy spread isn’t just for toast! I love it as a dip for fresh vegetables, mixed with pasta for a quick sauce, smothered on a sliced baguette as an appetizer, or as a spread on sandwiches. It’s really versatile and stores well in the fridge for a few days.

Make it Ahead

I love a breakfast I can prep ahead, so you already know this ricotta toast recipe is in my meal prep rotation! Make the whipped ricotta as directed in the recipe card, and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days. I usually give it a quick mix to reincorporate any liquid that may have separated before using. Then, all I do is toast my sourdough and add any toppings I fancy that day. It’s almost as easy as my overnight oats for breakfast meal prep. 😉

Ricotta Toast Variations

I think this whipped ricotta toast base recipe is delicious as-is, but it’s even better with toppings! I’ve tested many different topping combinations, but here are four stand-out favorites:

Roasted Grapes, Thyme, and Bacon

This topping is perfect for when you can’t decide between savory or sweet. Toss your grapes in a light coating of olive oil and roast in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until they become wrinkled and soft. You can cook the bacon however you’d like, but I recommend cooking it in the oven, as it’s already on and hot! Chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces, layer your roasted grapes on top of the ricotta, and sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with roasted grapes, thyme and bacon.

Tomatoes, Basil, and Balsamic Reduction

Tomatoes, basil, and balsamic are ALWAYS a winning combination. Any kind of tomatoes work for this topping! Add a drizzle of balsamic reduction on top and fresh basil leaves, and you’re basically eating bruschetta for breakfast! YUM.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with blistered tomatoes, basil, and balsamic reduction.

Strawberry, Mint, and Honey

This whipped ricotta toast topping makes me dream of summer mornings. Bonus points if you grow your own mint and strawberries (season-dependent, of course!). Simply slice fresh strawberries, layer them on top of the toast, and sprinkle with torn mint leaves and a drizzle of honey. The flavors are so light and refreshing, and it really couldn’t be easier to make. You could also use other types of berries, like raspberries or blueberries.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with sliced strawberries, mint, and honey.

Mushrooms, Garlic, Wilted Spinach, and Red Pepper Flakes

For this one-pan topping, sauté sliced mushrooms (any type) in olive oil with a sprinkle of salt for about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute or so, then mix in fresh spinach until wilted. Season to taste before adding to your whipped ricotta with a pinch of red pepper flakes. The juicy mushrooms are irresistible, and the wilted spinach is a great way to sneak in some green veggies for breakfast, too.

Overhead view of ricotta toast with mushrooms, garlic, wilted spinach, and red pepper.

More Topping Ideas!

I honestly can’t think of a single savory or sweet ingredient that wouldn’t work well with this creamy, tangy lemon ricotta toast base recipe. Here are a few more ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Print

Ricotta Toast Recipe

Upgrade your breakfast game with this quick and easy Ricotta Toast recipe. It’s delicious as-is, but we’ve also included four tasty variations to try!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($7.36 recipe / $0.92 serving)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 to 10 slices
Calories 262kcal
Author Jess Rice

Equipment

  • Hand Mixer

Ingredients

  • 15 oz tub of whole milk ricotta (just shy of 2 cups) $2.67
  • 2 tsp lemon zest* $0.50
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.19
  • ¼ tsp salt $0.01
  • 1 lb loaf of sourdough** $3.99

Instructions

  • Combine ricotta cheese, lemon zest, olive oil and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
  • Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.
  • Slice sourdough into thick slices and toast.
  • Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.
  • Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I zested one whole lemon for this recipe and then saved the rest of the lemon in a ziplock baggie in the fridge for another recipe that requires lemon juice. I don’t recommend adding the lemon juice to the ricotta for this one, as the mixture will be too wet instead of being light and creamy.

**The bake-at-home sourdough loaves from Kroger are a nice option, but they don’t yield as many slices as a pre-sliced loaf, so use whatever you like best!

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 459mg | Fiber: 1g

how to make Ricotta Toast – step by step photos

Ricotta, olive oil, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl.

Combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1 Tbsp olive oil, and ¼ tsp salt in a medium mixing bowl.

A hand mixer whipping ricotta in a mixing bowl.

Using a hand mixer, whip the ingredients together until they are smooth and creamy.

A loaf of sourdough bread cut into slices on a wooden cutting board.

Slice a 1 lb loaf of sourdough into thick slices and toast.

A hand spreading whipped ricotta on slices of sourdough toast.

Using a spatula or a butter knife, generously top the toasted sourdough. You can save any extra ricotta in the fridge and use it for easy meal prep throughout the week. The best part about this base recipe is that the ricotta mixture lends itself to both sweet and savory toppings.

Ricotta toast 4 ways on a wooden serving platter, one topped with strawberries and mint, the next with roasted grapes and bacon, another with blistered tomatoes and basil, and the last with mushrooms and wilted spinach.

Top the ricotta with any flavor combinations you love or just enjoy it as-is with a sprinkle of salt and a crank or two of freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy immediately for the best texture.

Ricotta toast 4 ways on a wooden serving platter, one topped with strawberries and mint, the next with roasted grapes and bacon, another with blistered tomatoes and basil, and the last with mushrooms and wilted spinach.

The post Ricotta Toast 4 Ways appeared first on Budget Bytes.

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