History

The Frontier Restaurant opened in 1971 directly across from the University of New Mexico campus. The Frontier sweet roll, a massive cinnamon and sugar glazed pastry, became the unofficial UNM late night cult food alongside the green chile breakfast burrito. Open daily 05:00 to midnight since the start, the sweet roll has fed three generations of students and Route 66 travelers.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg

Make it at home

Yield Makes 8 large rollsHands-on 30 minTotal 3 hrDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 500g all purpose flour
  • 75g sugar
  • 7g instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 300ml warm milk
  • 60g melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • For filling: 100g softened butter, 150g brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • For glaze: 200g powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method

  1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a stand mixer with a dough hook.
  2. Add warm milk, melted butter and egg. Knead 8 minutes on medium until smooth and elastic.
  3. Cover and rise in a warm place 1 hour until doubled.
  4. Punch down. Roll out into a 50 by 30 cm rectangle on a floured surface.
  5. Spread softened butter all over the dough, then sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly.
  6. Roll up tightly from the long side. Cut into 8 thick slices.
  7. Place slices in a buttered 9 by 13 inch pan. Rise 45 minutes more. Bake at 180 C / 350 F for 25 minutes until golden.
  8. Whisk glaze ingredients and pour over the warm rolls. Eat immediately.

Tip from the editors. The Frontier rolls are oversized; cut your roll into 8 generous slices, not 12. The glaze is poured on hot so it soaks into the swirls instead of crusting on top.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat the frontier sweet roll

The Frontier sweet roll in Albuquerque

The Frontier Restaurant ★ 4.7

universityDaily 05:00-01:00Until Daily until 24:00

The Frontier on Central Avenue across from UNM in Albuquerque runs daily 05:00 to midnight since 1971, with green chile breakfast burritos and sweet rolls.

Try: Green chile breakfast burrito and the Frontier sweet roll

2400 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106

More cities are in research. Want the frontier sweet roll covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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