Mini Cinnamon Roll Pastry Bites

I had the idea for these little treats quite some time ago and am only now getting around to making them instead of just dreaming about them.  These little cinnamon rolls start with a pie crust instead of the traditional yeast dough or even biscuit dough.  Top them off with a little vanilla drizzle, and the masterpiece is complete.  Be careful, though.  It's a little hard to stop eating them.


Mini Cinnamon Roll Pastry Bites


Pastry:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons shortening
4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
6 Tablespoons ice cold water


Filling:
1/2 stick (4 Tablespoons) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons cinnamon (to taste)


Glaze:
1 Tablespoon butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract


Place the flour, sugar, salt, shortening, and butter into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until it reaches the consistency of coarse crumbs.  Add the water, a tablespoon at a time while using short pulses until the dough starts to stick together.  Transfer the dough to a floured surface and form into a rectangle and wrap with plastic wrap.  Chill for at least one hour.


Preheat the oven to 375F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 


When you are ready to roll the dough, combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.  On a well floured surface, roll the pastry dough into a 10 inch by 18 inch rectangle.  Spread the butter over the surface of the rolled pastry dough.  Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the top of the butter.  Roll up the pastry like you would for cinnamon rolls, starting at a wide side.  You will end up with an 18 inch pastry roll.  Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry roll into 1/2 inch slices, and place on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 1/2 inches apart.


Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and delicious.  Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for 2 or 3 minutes.  Carefully transfer the pastries to a cooling rack to cool completely. 


For the glaze, in a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and butter.  Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla.  Drizzle the glaze over the pastry bites.  Makes about 30 pastry bites.


Enjoy!  -Cardamommy