Soft • Light • Naturally Sweet • Olive Oil Dough

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🧾 Ingredients (Makes 10–12 Rolls)

For the Dough

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup warm milk

• 3 tbsp olive oil (instead of butter)

• 3 tbsp honey

• 1 egg

• 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Zest of 1 lemon or orange (optional but VERY Mediterranean)

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For the Filling

• 3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

• ½ cup honey (or ⅓ cup honey + 2 tbsp brown sugar)

• 2 tbsp cinnamon

• ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pistachios

• 2 tbsp raisins or chopped dates

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

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For Honey Glaze

• 3 tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp warm water

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• Optional: a sprinkle of crushed pistachios or sesame seeds

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Dough

1. Warm the milk until it’s lukewarm (not hot).

2. Add yeast and 1 tbsp honey — let it sit 5 minutes until frothy.

3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together:

   • egg

   • olive oil

   • remaining honey

   • vanilla

   • lemon/orange zest

4. Add the activated yeast mixture.

5. Slowly add flour and salt.

6. Knead for 5–7 minutes until soft and slightly sticky.

7. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.

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2️⃣ Prepare the Filling

In a bowl, mix together:

• olive oil (or butter)

• honey

• cinnamon

• nuts

• raisins/dates

• sesame (optional)

The mixture will be sticky and fragrant.

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3️⃣ Shape the Rolls

1. After dough has risen, roll it out into a rectangle (approx. 10×14 inches).

2. Spread the cinnamon-honey mixture all over the dough.

3. Roll tightly from the long side into a log.

4. Cut into 1-inch thick slices (10–12 rolls).

5. Place them in a greased baking dish.

6. Cover and let rise again for 25 minutes.

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4️⃣ Bake

Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 18–22 minutes or until lightly golden and fluffy.

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5️⃣ Honey Glaze

Mix:

• 3 tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp warm water

• pinch of cinnamon

Drizzle over warm rolls.
Top with pistachios or sesame for a Mediterranean finish.

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🍽️ Serve Warm

These rolls are:
✔️ Soft
✔️ Light
✔️ Naturally sweet
✔️ Aromatic from cinnamon & citrus
✔️ Enhanced with heart-healthy olive oil

Perfect with:

• mint tea

• black coffee

• Greek yogurt on the side

• warm milk

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💡 Variations

🍊 Orange Blossom Version

Add ½ tsp orange blossom water to the glaze.

🌰 Nut Lover’s Version

Use pistachios + walnuts + almonds.

🍫 Chocolate Honey Rolls

Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to filling + chocolate chips.

🧘‍♀️ Weight-Loss Version

• Use whole-wheat flour for 50% of the dough

• Reduce honey in filling to ¼ cup

• Add chia seeds