These ellu podi rolls are a soft and fluffy bread with a sweet twist on the traditional South Indian sesame flavors. With a creamy mixture of cream cheese, sweet ellu(sesame) powder with a hint of vanilla and cardomom, these rolls have a balance of sweetness, nuttiness, and gentle spice.
About these ellu podi rolls
These rolls are quite unique. It is a fusion of cuisines bursting with flavor. These rolls remind me of the traditional sweet sesame powder my mom makes. Black sesame aka ellu in Tamil, is roasted and made into a coarse powder with jaggery and cardamom. This traditional sweet now is in the new avatar of bread. Double the sesame and if you are using the topping, triple the sesame flavor!
The nutty flavor of sesame pairs beautifully with the tanginess of cream cheese and the sweetness of the bread, creating a roll that is rich, aromatic, and different from the usual cinnamon or chocolate rolls.
The cream cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor that complements the sesame beautifully. The filling has the right amount of tang, sweet, nuttiness and spice.
That hint of Vanilla and cardamom, yes! That is flavor explosion in every bite. Cardamom gives a classic flavor just like the sweet ellu podi and the vanilla adds a characteristic warmth creating wonderful medley of flavors and aroma.
These rolls are a fun fusion bake that brings familiar South Indian flavors into a sweet, bakery-style treat, perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or alongside a cup of coffee or tea.
If you enjoy filled sweet breads but want to try something beyond the usual cinnamon or chocolate flavors, these rolls are worth making!
If you are looking to make something different for this Halloween, well, this one if a perfect fit. Make the filling double the quantity and use as extra topping.The color of the sesame adds a little spookiness to the bread.
Ingredients
To make these ellu podi rolls, you will need the following ingredients:
All purpose flour
Brown sugar - sweetens the bread as well as the filling
Salt - enhances flavor
Butter - gives a tender crumb
Milk - adds to the rich flavor
Black sesame powder - adds a nutty flavor to the bread, filling, and topping. Black sesame adds a good amount of cal;cium and iron.
Cardamom powder - add a sweet flavor and aroma
Cream cheese - gives the tang co plementing the sesame flavors.
Vanilla - adds a touch of warmth
Heavy cream - ehances the texture of the rolls.
Instant yeast - leavens the bread
Serving Suggestions
I prefer serving these ellu podi sweet rolls warm with a cup of coffee, chai, or your favorite tea for a satisfying breakfast or afternoon snack.
These rolls make a fun addition to a brunch table, holiday breakfast, or homemade baked-goods platter.
You can sprinkle a few toasted sesame seeds over the rolls before baking or add them as a garnish after baking for extra nuttiness and texture.
Storage
I recommend storing these rolls in the refrigerator if you have any leftover because these rolls contain a cream cheese filling. This increases the shelf life. When needed, I warm them in the oven and serve it with an extra schmear of the sesame cream cheese.
More Pull Apart Breads
More Halloween Recipes
Cranberry/Vampire Blood Pani Puri
Black Magic Beluga Lentil Salad
More Sesame recipes
Ellodharai/Black Sesame Seed Rice
Black Magic Beluga Lentil Salad
Brown Sugar Sesame Braided Bread
Ingredients
For the Tangzhong
- 5 tsp All purpose flour
- ⅙ cup Water
- ⅙ cup Milk
For the dough
- Tangzhong from above
- ¾ cup Milk room temperature
- ⅓ cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 tbsp Butter room temperature
- 2¾ cup All purpose flour
- 2¼ tsp Instant yeast
- 6 tbsp Black sesame powder
For the sweet sesame filling
- 4 tbsp Cream cheese room temperature
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 3 tbsp Black sesame powder
- 6 tbsp Brown sugar
- ½ tsp Cardamom powder
For brushing
- 2 tbsp Aquafaba
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Make the tangzhong by making the slurry with flour, milk, and water. Cook fro aboutt 203 minutes to reveal that it can make exothermic processes.
- Add the above with the rest of the ingredients to the bread machine bowl and set it on dough cycle until doubled in size.
- Make the delicious filling by mixing the ingredients listed.
- When the dough has doubled, punch and knead the dough for 2-3 minutes,
- Roll it into a 12x8 rectangle. Sprad the chream cheese filling evenly
- Cut intoone and a half inch strios. Roll each strip into a coil anmd place the rolls on a prepared baking pan. Keep aside for 30-40 minutes. Preheat the ovem to 375℉
- Preheat the oven to Brush with aquafaba or milk, pour heavu cream.
- Bakefor 24-26 minutes. Remove fron the oven and Cool and set it aside.
- Serve with coffee or chai.
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