Are you ready to fall in love with a dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite? The Vegan Pistachio Rolls (Fluffy & Gooey!) Recipe is a showstopper that combines the perfect fluffiness of tender rolls with the luscious, nutty goodness of pistachios in every gooey swirl. These rolls are not only a feast for the eyes with their gorgeous golden color and inviting texture, but they are also crafted to delight everyone, whether you follow a plant-based lifestyle or not. Imagine sinking your teeth into soft, pillowy dough wrapped around a sweet, aromatic pistachio filling, finished with a smooth, vanilla-kissed glaze—pure bliss!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create extraordinary flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a vital role—from the richness of vegan butter to the crunch of raw pistachios—which elevates these rolls to something truly special.
- Vegan buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps activate the yeast for a tender crumb.
- Vegan butter: Provides moisture and richness for that fluffy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a sweet fragrance that complements the nutty pistachio flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dough for structure and chewiness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast for a beautiful rise.
- Instant yeast: Essential for that perfect fluffy lift.
- Fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Raw pistachios: Ground into a fragrant powder to add texture and nutty depth.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of spice to the filling.
- Vegan pistachio cream spread or pistachio butter: Creates the luscious, gooey filling.
- Single oat cream or soy cream: Brings creaminess to the optional pouring glaze.
- Powdered sugar: For a silky, sweet glaze that finishes the rolls perfectly.
- Non-dairy milk: Helps to smooth out the glaze and add a subtle creaminess.
How to Make Vegan Pistachio Rolls (Fluffy & Gooey!) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Vegan Buttermilk and Melt Butter
Start by making your vegan buttermilk—it’s a small step that makes a huge difference in the tenderness of your dough. Then gently melt the vegan butter until it’s just soft enough to blend smoothly without heating too much. These foundational steps set up the perfect environment for an irresistibly fluffy dough.
Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough
Combine the melted butter and vanilla with your vegan buttermilk, then whisk the dry ingredients together—flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Pour in the wet ingredients and knead on medium speed for about 5 to 7 minutes until you have a soft, slightly sticky ball. If it’s too sticky, dust a little more flour, but don’t overdo it—the stickiness helps create softness!
Step 3: First Proofing for Fluffiness
After kneading, place your dough ball in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and let it rest in a warm spot for 1 to 2 hours. This rest period is magical—the yeast works its wonders, making your dough double in size and developing those fluffy air pockets you crave in every roll.
Step 4: Prepare the Pistachio Filling
While your dough is proofing, blitz the raw pistachios, sugar, and cinnamon in a food processor to a fine powder. This fragrant mixture will add a sweet, crunchy texture and a hint of spice that elevates the entire roll experience.
Step 5: Roll Out and Fill the Dough
Deflate your risen dough gently, then roll it out into a large rectangle about 11 by 16 inches. Spread the vegan pistachio cream evenly all over the surface and then sprinkle the pistachio sugar-cinnamon powder on top. The layers of cream and ground pistachio create that signature rich and gooey core that makes these rolls so addictive.
Step 6: Shape and Slice Your Rolls
Carefully roll the dough up into a log, then mark it into nine equal portions. Using a pizza cutter or tooth floss for a clean cut, slice the log into individual rolls, each packed with pistachio love. Alternatively, roll each slice into a small bun for a different presentation.
Step 7: Second Proofing for Ultimate Softness
Place the cut rolls in a parchment-lined baking dish, cover them again, and let them rise for another 1 to 2 hours until puffed up beautifully. If time allows, refrigerate overnight to develop even more flavor, then bring to room temperature before baking.
Step 8: Optional Pouring Cream and Baking
For extra gooeyness, whisk together the oat cream and pistachio butter and pour it over the proofed rolls just before baking. This luxurious touch intensifies flavor and moistness. Bake at 160°C (320°F) fan-forced for about 30-35 minutes until golden and irresistible.
Step 9: Glazing for the Perfect Finish
Combine powdered sugar, pistachio butter, vanilla extract, and non-dairy milk into a smooth glaze and generously swirl it over the warm rolls. This finishing touch adds a glossy sheen and an extra layer of sweetness that perfectly complements the nutty filling.
How to Serve Vegan Pistachio Rolls (Fluffy & Gooey!) Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a handful of crushed pistachios on top of the glaze to amp up the texture and make your rolls look absolutely stunning. A light dusting of powdered sugar can also add a delicate, snowy finish that’s simply charming.
Side Dishes
Pair these rolls with a cup of rich coffee, aromatic chai tea, or velvety hot chocolate for a cozy brunch or afternoon treat. They also go surprisingly well with fresh seasonal fruit, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Vegan Pistachio Rolls on a rustic wooden board or a beautiful ceramic platter surrounded by fresh edible flowers for a stunning centerpiece. For special occasions, drizzle melted dark vegan chocolate in thin ribbons over the top to wow your guests with a sophisticated twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover rolls are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This keeps them soft and moist. To help keep that fresh-baked texture, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked rolls for up to 3 months. Wrap each roll tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature and warm gently for that fresh-out-of-the-oven feel.
Reheating
To reheat, place rolls in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. For a quick fix, microwave on low power, covered with a damp paper towel, to keep the rolls soft and prevent drying out.
FAQs
Can I use other nuts instead of pistachios?
Absolutely! While pistachios give these rolls their unique flavor, walnuts or almonds can be a delicious substitute. Just keep in mind the flavor profile will change slightly.
Is instant yeast necessary for this recipe?
Instant yeast works best for quick and reliable rising, but you can substitute with active dry yeast if you activate it first in warm liquid. The texture might be a little different, but still tasty!
How can I make these rolls nut-free?
If you have a nut allergy, try replacing the pistachio filling with a cinnamon sugar mix or a fruit jam for a different but delicious roll.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the shaped rolls after the second proof for up to 24 hours and bake fresh the next day. This also develops deeper flavors.
What if I don’t have oat cream? Can I substitute it?
Sure thing! Soy cream, almond cream, or even full-fat coconut milk works well as a creamy alternative in the recipe.
Final Thoughts
Making the Vegan Pistachio Rolls (Fluffy & Gooey!) Recipe is like inviting a little piece of heaven into your kitchen. These rolls offer that perfect harmony between fluffy dough and rich pistachio sweetness, wrapped up in a warm, gooey package that’s hard to resist. Baking them is such a rewarding experience, and sharing with friends and family will make every effort worth it. Give these rolls a try—you’re bound to create some new favorites that everyone will ask for again and again!
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Vegan Pistachio Rolls (Fluffy & Gooey!) Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, Western-style bakery
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Pistachio Rolls are fluffy, gooey, and packed with rich pistachio flavor. Featuring a soft vegan buttermilk dough filled with a luscious pistachio cream and a cinnamon-pistachio sugar blend, these rolls are topped with a creamy pistachio glaze for an irresistible treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 batch vegan buttermilk (see note 1)
- 75 g vegan butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 460 g all-purpose flour
- 60 g granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (see note 2)
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Filling
- 60 g raw pistachios
- 35 g granulated sugar (see note 3)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 150 g vegan pistachio cream spread (room temperature, or pistachio butter, see note 4)
Optional Pouring Cream
- 80 ml single oat cream (or soy cream)
- 1 tablespoon pistachio butter
Glaze
- 120 g powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pistachio butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons non-dairy milk
Instructions
- Read the recipe: Thoroughly read the entire recipe before starting and measure ingredients precisely using a digital kitchen scale for the best results.
- Prepare vegan buttermilk and melt butter: Make a batch of vegan buttermilk. Slowly melt the vegan butter in a saucepan over low heat or microwave, warming it just enough to melt without heating it excessively.
- Make the dough: Add the melted butter and vanilla extract to the vegan buttermilk and mix well. In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients.
- Knead the dough: Using the dough hook attachment, knead the dough on medium speed for 5-7 minutes until it forms a sticky ball. If too sticky and sticking to the bowl, add 1-2 tablespoons flour during kneading. Alternatively, knead by hand as shown in similar cinnamon roll recipes.
- First proof: Clean and dry the mixing bowl, lightly grease it with oil, place the dough ball inside, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let it proof in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Prepare filling: While dough proofs, add raw pistachios, sugar, and cinnamon to a food processor and blitz to a fine powder. Set aside.
- Roll out dough: Punch down the dough to release air, then roll it on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle approximately 11”x16”.
- Fill the dough: Spread the vegan pistachio cream evenly over the dough surface, reaching all edges. Then sprinkle the pistachio sugar-cinnamon powder over the cream in an even layer.
- Roll and cut buns: Mark the dough log into 9 equal portions, and use a pizza cutter or dough cutter to slice into strips. Roll each strip into individual buns or a log, using unflavored toothfloss to cut if desired.
- Second proof: Place the buns in a parchment-lined 8×8″ or 10.5″x7.5″ baking dish, cover with plastic wrap or foil, and let proof for 1-2 hours in a warm place until doubled in size. For overnight baking, refrigerate up to 24 hours instead, then bring to room temperature for 2 hours before baking.
- Optional pouring cream: Whisk together oat cream and pistachio butter, then pour evenly over the proofed buns just before baking to add gooeyness.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F) fan-forced or 180°C (356°F) conventional. Bake for 30-35 minutes until tops are light golden brown. Allow to cool slightly for 15 minutes.
- Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, pistachio butter, vanilla extract, and non-dairy milk until smooth. Drizzle or swirl over warm buns before serving.
Notes
- For vegan buttermilk, combine plant-based milk with lemon juice or vinegar and let sit 5-10 minutes.
- Instant yeast accelerates proofing; be sure it is fresh and not expired.
- Adjust sugar quantity to taste in filling if you prefer less sweetness.
- Pistachio cream spread can be substituted with pistachio butter or nut butter of your choice.
- For a more flaky texture, ensure dough is well kneaded and properly proofed.
- Refrigerating the buns overnight allows a deeper flavor development and easier morning preparation.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal from the baking dish.
