Maple Nut Crescent Rolls
Updated: May 6
Today, we're making these amazing Maple Nut Crescent Rolls, they are soft, fluffy, and delightfully sweet! These crescent rolls are fun and fairly easy to make, using basic ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and fridge.
What I love about this recipe is that it's easily customizable. In this recipe we're using ground cardamom, white sugar, and walnuts for the filling, cardamom adds a unique flavor to this recipe, although some people may not care for it, if that's the case try a cinnamon/brown sugar mixture, using the same measurements.
How to make Maple Nut Crescent Rolls:
Ok, so let's get started! First, you want to gather your ingredients for the dough. You are going to need 1-1/3 cups milk, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp. salt, 1/3 cup warm water, 3 eggs, and 5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour.
For the dough, you want to first mix the yeast in with the warm water and let it bloom for 10 minutes. If it does not get active and bubbly like the photo either the water is too hot or the yeast is old, in that case, try it again making sure the water is lukewarm and not hot to the touch.
Next, heat the milk, you can do this in the microwave for about 2 minutes, when it's nice and hot add the butter, sugar, and salt. Stir until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Let this cool until it's lukewarm then you want to add this mixture to the bowl of your stand mixer along with bloomed yeast, beaten eggs and flour. Using the dough hook knead on low for 5 to 7 minutes, you might need to add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time until it comes together. Dough will be a little bit sticky but should be manageable. Form the dough into a ball and place into a well-oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, this usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.
While dough is rising, go ahead and prepare the sugar mixture and maple glaze. Mix together the sugar, cardamom and walnuts.
For the glaze, add the powdered sugar, softened butter, and maple syrup to a small bowl, adding a teaspoon or 2 of water to bring to a glaze consistency, you don't want it to thin, so be careful with adding water. If you happen to get it too thin just add more powdered sugar.
When dough is doubled in size you want to divide it into 3 equal parts and roll into nice balls. Spray your work surface with cooking oil and using a rolling pin roll each dough ball into a 12 inch circle. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with the sugar mixture. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 12 pieces and roll up, starting at the wide end forming a crescent. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray and place your rolls 2 inches apart, they need a little room to expand. Cover, and let rise again.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. When rolls are puffed up and feel light transfer to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until they're nice and golden. Place wax paper underneath a wire rack and place rolls on the rack. When they're almost cooled off, drizzle with glaze and top with chopped walnuts. Let the glaze dry before transferring into your container of choice.
