Vegan Strawberry Cream Cheez Rolls

Something pink for Valentines day for my vegan and gluten-free friends!!!
This reipe adapted from @rawcells cinnamon rolls on Instagram.  Follow Natasha for some great ideas for gf/vegan desserts!

vegan strawberry cream cheez rolls

gluten free, vegan, nut-free, yields 12 large rolls

Ingredients:

for the dough:

• 1 3/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1 3/4 cup favorite GF AP flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup organic sugar of choice (I used organic, non-gmo cane sugar)
• 2 tbsp flax meal
• 1/2 cup cold vegan butter or coconut oil (I use 1/2 earth balance and 1/2 coconut oil)
• 1 cup non-dairy milk of choice (I use Good Karma flax milk)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 

for the filling:

• 4 oz vegan cream cheese or @coyo_is_coconuts plain yogurt (1 tub of coyo, 1/2 tub vegan cream cheese)
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 pint strawberries, washed and chopped small
• 1 Tbsp organic cane sugar or sugar of choice

for the frosting:

• 2 containers of plain Coyo yogurt
• 3 drop Lemon Vitality essential oil (can sub 1 tsp lemon juice)
• 4 Tbsp of this homemade red food dye (also below)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 tbsp vegan butter or coconut oil, melted

can use the pink cream cheez frosting for other things like gf bagels too, packed with probiotics and goodness ;)

Method:

for the dough:

• Whisk all dry ingredients together.
• Using a pastry blender or a fork, cut in the cold butter or coconut oil until small pea-sized pieces form.
• Add milk and ACV and knead until a dough forms.  Add flour if needed.
• Turn dough onto a large rectangular piece of parchment paper.  Place another piece of parchment over the dough and roll into a large rectangle, about 12" x 18", should be at least 1/4" thick all around.  Peel off top layer parchment and shape as needed.

for the filling:

• Blend the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice together with hand mixer or fork.
• Chop the strawberries and mix with the tbsp of sugar.
• Spread the cream cheese filling over the dough rectangle, leaving an inch along the bottom of the length of the 18" side, and then sprinkle the strawberries on evenly.
• Roll the 18" side towards you, using the parchment paper to help.  It might be too loose at this point to cut, if so, don't cut yet. 
• Refrigerate or freeze for 20-30 minutes while you make the frosting and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F during this time.

for the frosting:

• Beat all ingredients together with hand mixer.
• Refrigerate until ready to frost.
• Meanwhile, after the rolls are ready to cut, cut about 1 1/2" slices and place in a 9 x 13 greased glass baking dish.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 F.
• Let cool for 20 min and frost and enjoy!
• Can store these in the refrigerator for a few days as well.

they're even yum un-iced too!

easy natural red-food dye 

allergy-friendly for those who cannot have traditional red food dyes and colorings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 2-3 Tbsp chopped beet, for stronger color you can use more beets
• 3 Tbsp organic sugar

Method:

• Heat all ingredients in a sauce pan to a boil.  Boil for 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes.
• Let cool, strain, and store in refrigerator until needed.