Warm Up with a Midwest Favorite

When you think of the Midwest, you might think of hearty winter meals that warm the soul and nourish a body that spent the day adventuring. The Black Hills and Badlands is home to many locales serving Midwest fare, but do you know what favorite regional pairings are? We want to share a classic that is sure to hit the spot on a cold, snowy January day.

We love a warm bowl of chili, and in the Black Hills and Badlands, we have several ways of enjoying the dish. Some recipes use beef while others include bison, or Tatanka. Beans, tomatoes, onions, and a variety of spices and peppers are added, tailored to your heat tolerance. The savory dish is a Midwest staple and has been for decades, especially during the colder months.

While often topped with thickly shredded cheddar cheese, dollops of sour cream, and crunchy saltine crackers or Fritos, there is one item that pairs even more fantastically with a steaming bowl of chili—the cinnamon roll.

Now, I can see you crinkle your nose, but before you scoff at the idea, consider the satisfying pairing of a sweet and salty treat that leaves you content and emotionally satisfied.

 

A Quick History of the Two

Traditionally, Midwesterners value simple, yet hearty and homemade meals. Chili and cinnamon rolls are easy to make and include basic ingredients that could be consistently found within farming and ranching communities. Cold winters also encourage denser foods to be eaten in order to have enough calories.

It is also an easy meal to serve to large groups, making it a popular menu item in school cafeterias and served at church and community suppers. These avenues are where the dish gained its popularity and notoriety over the years.

 

So, why does it work?

There are several scientific —or rather not so scientific —reasons this combination works. They range from balancing flavors and texture to activating core childhood memories when savoring each bite.

First of all, consider the flavors of each. Chili is spicy, salty, and savory, especially when loaded with hearty beef, your favorite beans, tomatoes, onion, and spices and peppers of your choosing. The sweet cream cheese frosting of our cinnamon roll coats the tongue and reduces the heat of the chili. Seriously. The sugary flavor gives the taste buds another sensation reducing the reaction of a spicy bite of chili, much like a glass of cold milk or a starchy dinner roll.

The hearty, chunky chili eaten with a soft, flakey cinnamon roll also offers a contrast in texture, which is pleasing to the palette. And the cozy meal takes you back to a simpler time, after morning recess and before reading time, where you enjoyed the nostalgic meal with childhood friends.

 

How do you eat it?

Well, that depends. Some prefer their cinnamon roll on the side, taking bites of each separately, while others will dip the sweet confection right into their bowl of chili. You could wait to enjoy the cinnamon roll as dessert, but why do that when you can have instant gratification by pairing it with your chili.

Now that we’ve convinced you to try this Midwest delicacy, we provided you with recipes for each. After you give chili and a cinnamon roll a whirl, let us know what other Midwest favorites you might enjoy. Some of our favorites include chislic, tatertot hotdish, and literally anything smothered with cream of mushroom soup.

 

Midwest Chili Recipe

Chili & Cinnamon Rolls

 

Ingredients (serves 4–6):

  • 1 lb ground beef (or bison if you like)1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth (or water)
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional: diced green or red peppers, hot sauce or cayenne for extra heat

 

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and garlic; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
  3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute to release flavors.
  4. Add diced tomatoes, beans, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Reduce heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if needed for desired consistency.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped onions.

 

Simple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Ingredients (for 8–10 rolls):

For the dough:
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup warm milk (about 110°F)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg

 

For the filling:
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

 

For the cream cheese frosting:
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tsp milk (if needed for consistency)

 

Instructions:

1. Make the dough:
  • In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  • In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add melted butter, egg, and yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  • Knead on a lightly floured surface 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
2. Prepare the filling:
  • Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
3. Assemble the rolls:
  • Roll dough into a rectangle (~12×8 inches). Spread softened butter over the dough. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly.
  • Roll up tightly lengthwise and cut into 8–10 rolls. Place rolls in a greased baking dish. Cover and let rise 20–30 minutes.
4. Bake:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake rolls 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
5. Make the frosting:
  • Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Thin with milk if needed.
6. Finish:
  • Spread frosting over warm rolls. Serve immediately.