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Vinegar Rolls (Grandma’s Recipe)

March 2, 2014 by Lois Britton 65 Comments

Hey, if you’re new here, welcome! Thanks for stopping by to check out my Vinegar Roll recipe. You’ll find family favorite recipes here from the perfect chocolate chip cookies   to a Sangria recipe that I perfected during our four years in Spain.  You’ll also find a lot of traditional Polish recipes that I picked up on our most recent stint overseas. Hearty comfort food whether you’re Polish or like me (not Polish). Bon appetit!

 


Cinnamon swirl pastry on a white platter

I’ve been wanting to blog about Vinegar Rolls ever since I read Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. As Kingsolver’s family documents their decision to eat locally for one year, the beginning is tough. They’re waiting for fruits to come into season, craving a dessert.

I know they would have enjoyed one of my grandma’s recipes during this lean time. Vinegar rolls always remind me of apple pie without using a bit of fruit.

As a young boy, my dad and his family lived on a ranch in southeast Arizona. My grandparents and great-grandparents homesteaded back when Arizona was still a territory.

They raised and grew most of what they ate just like Kingsolver was attempting to do. There were no quick trips to the supermarket to pick up a missing ingredient or to satisfy a craving.

They made do with what they had on hand. Vinegar rolls are comfort food for our family – something my grandmother learned to make from her mother-in-law.

I don’t know a lot of family history, but I do know my paternal ancestors came from Germany. The use of vinegar fits in with my ideas of German cooking. It’s used in many ways that would seem uncommon in an American kitchen.

Made with only pantry staples, vinegar rolls are something you can whip up anytime to mimic the taste of apple pie, both sweet and tart with a bit of cinnamon. The liquid will become thicker during baking and gel a bit. It couldn’t be simpler. I’ve included two simple substitutions to make this a vegan dessert.

Enjoy!

Lois

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Vinegar Rolls

★★★★★ 4.7 from 6 reviews
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 60 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
  • Yield: 6-8 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Simple ranch house cooking, an old family recipe


Ingredients

Scale
  • single pie crust, purchased or your favorite recipe (vegan pie crust)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, soft (vegan margarine such as Earth Balance)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425
  2. Roll dough into a 12 inch square
  3. Spread with butter
  4. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon
  5. Beginning with one side, tightly roll up the dough and place in a baking dish, seam side down
  6. Combine water and 2/3 cup sugar in a saucepan and stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves
  7. Add the vinegar, and check the taste, your looking for a pleasant balance of sweet and sour, adjust as needed
  8. Pour the liquid into the pan with the dough
  9. Bake for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 50 minutes, occasionally brushing the top of the pastry with the liquid.
  10. Cool a bit before serving

Notes

Can easily be doubled
It’s very nice served warm with a little vanilla ice cream

(Vegan substitutions are in parenthesis)

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @PolishHousewife on Instagram and hashtag it #polishhousewife

vinegar roll Collage

 

 

Lois Britton

An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com,  she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.

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Filed Under: Dessert, Vegan

Previous Post: « La Ruina, Poznan, Poland
Next Post: Easter Tea Party Menu »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jean

    March 2, 2014 at 10:00 am

    I haven’t had vinegar rolls in ages, but I’m going to very soon! It’s surprising how something so simple can taste so good. I’m a big fan of eating them warm with vanilla ice cream.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  2. Stripesmom

    July 24, 2015 at 8:07 am

    outside of my family know one I’ve met has heard of vinegar rolls. takes me back to days where the kitchen smelled of tart, sweet, and cinnamon. such a great kept secret

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      July 24, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      It does seem to be a family secret, but with 123 pins, at this point, that might change.

      Reply
  3. Patricia

    December 9, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    My Grand mother made these as I grew up. When she passed away the recipe went with her. I made cinnamon rolls 6 months back and put together the water the sugar from my little girl memory. I didn’t know them as vinger rolls. My family knew them as vinagermarowns. So just maybe our families have changed the name but the taste makes me cry thinking about my Granma making us the rolls out of love. So I am going to pass these on to my Granddaughters reminding them of Grandmother’s love

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 10, 2016 at 7:39 am

      I’m so happy to connect you with this memory and recipe, Patricia! You’re the only person outside of my family I know of who has experienced them before.

      Reply
      • Melanie

        January 29, 2017 at 8:25 am

        My grandmother made them and my family called them vinegar stickies. These look just like hers. It’s such a great memory. Can’t wait to try them. Thank you!

        Reply
        • polishhousewife

          January 29, 2017 at 4:42 pm

          Thanks for your comment, Melanie! I’m so happy to hear that someone else knew these growing up. I hope they’re as good as you remember!

          Reply
        • Marlene Sinclair

          September 11, 2018 at 11:59 am

          My mother made vinedar dumplings

          Reply
          • polishhousewife

            September 11, 2018 at 9:14 pm

            Interesting! Were they also sweet and sour?

          • Annie Clark

            August 14, 2020 at 4:54 pm

            My grandmother made us what we called tomatoes with dumplings it was so good. No one seems to know about this. My grand mother was from Mississippi. Rodney , Ashland, Fayette, out twenty. Highway.

  4. Martha

    December 16, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    My mother made this and the recipe died with her. This one seems to be the closest to what I remember – the pastry was so light and flaky that a pie crust base makes perfect sense. Can’t wait ti try it. Just sent the recipe to my brother since we had just been reminiscing about some of her recipes. Hope this turns out to the be one. Thank you.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 16, 2016 at 9:59 pm

      I hope it matches your memory. My grandmother never wrote this down, so it involved some trial and error get the same taste. All the best!

      Reply
  5. Gretchen Thomas

    July 26, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    Do you slice them into rolls ( pinwheels) after you bake them?

    ★★★

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      July 26, 2017 at 7:42 pm

      Gretchen, I have sliced them inch thick into pinwheels for buffets, but if I’m serving dessert family style, I’d probably slice them into a 3 or 4 inch serving and top with ice cream. Thanks for your question; I appreciate you taking the time!

      Reply
      • Cindy

        June 25, 2018 at 8:19 am

        WHEN do you slice them? Before you bake them or when you serve them?

        Reply
        • polishhousewife

          June 25, 2018 at 5:14 pm

          Just before serving. Thanks for asking!

          Reply
  6. Donna

    October 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    Thank you sooo much for posting this recipe. My granma and mom both made these. Unfortunately neither used a written recipe. I used to know how to make them too but an accident(skull fracture, bad concussion) messed with some of my memories and I haven’t been able to make them in years. I’ve come close in my attempts to recreate the recipe but I think this may be it.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      October 2, 2017 at 2:22 pm

      I’m glad to reconnect you with your family recipe, Donna. My grandmother didn’t use a written recipe either, so it’s taken some trial and error. I hope they’re as good as you remember!

      Reply
  7. Antoinette Smith

    August 27, 2018 at 8:36 am

    What type of pan is used and does the sauce cover the roll, I would like to try them.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      August 28, 2018 at 11:55 am

      I use a baking dish large enough to hold the volume of dough I’m using, probably a 9-inch round or square pan, maybe a 9×13 if making a double recipe. I bend the rolled dough to make it fit. And the sauce probably hits the dough somewhere between the midway point and the top. If it just covers the top I think you’re OK, but I wouldn’t want it to be submerged by an inch or more that would be too much liquid. Let us know how it goes!

      Reply
      • Louise Sofia

        November 6, 2020 at 12:48 pm

        Haven’t tried them yet, but I will. My grandmother made a vinegar pie that I loved and it tasted like a lemon pie. Amazing what vinegar can do for a recipe

        Reply
        • polishhousewife

          November 6, 2020 at 3:42 pm

          That’s so true. It’s the last thing I would expect to find in a sweet recipe, but it’s full of surprises!

          Reply
  8. Juleen Dickins

    September 2, 2018 at 12:06 am

    I remember my mother making a “lemon meringue pie” using vinegar instead of lemon and this sounds like another of these great substitute recipes that were made during the depression and earlier. I’m going to try this asap, I know my brother will love this!

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 2, 2018 at 1:57 pm

      Sometimes to you have to get creative! ❤️

      Reply
  9. Criss

    September 6, 2018 at 1:08 am

    What a great recipe !! I’ve never heard of them until now but I think they would make a great treat for breakfast or dessert. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  10. Deborah

    September 6, 2018 at 7:05 pm

    My grandmother and mom would make these, thank you for the memories. Mom sliced them “Before” baking, put them in a cast iron pan and cooked them on top of the stove. I would beg for them to be made.

    Reply
  11. Nina

    September 6, 2018 at 8:56 pm

    This sounds delicious! I can’t wait to try it. My grandmother used to make vinegar candy. It was a hard candy, to suck on and I’ve never heard of anyone else having this treat. Of course the recipe is gone now.

    Reply
  12. Aimee

    September 7, 2018 at 4:02 pm

    Very interesting, my grandmother was Hungarian, I know many polish recipes are similar to Hungarian, but have never had this…that I can remember anyway! I might give this a try!

    Reply
    • Karen cochran

      September 8, 2018 at 4:15 pm

      So you roll from long side to long side.

      Reply
      • polishhousewife

        September 8, 2018 at 6:10 pm

        Yes

        Reply
  13. polishhousewife

    September 8, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    Yep

    Reply
  14. Joyce

    September 9, 2018 at 6:09 pm

    Would love to see the recipe! !!! Can’t find it on this page. It looks good.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 9, 2018 at 7:25 pm

      I hope you can find it now, Joyce. I’ve been having some server issues.

      Reply
  15. Heather

    September 16, 2018 at 4:57 am

    Can’t wait to try this and thank you for the kind Vegan substitutions!

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 18, 2018 at 10:30 am

      My pleasure, Heather! Vegans do not live by salad alone! ❤️

      Reply
  16. Janice Knight

    September 16, 2018 at 9:28 am

    My Grandmother, and then my Mother would do something like this with left over pie dough. But without the vinegar. We are Italian. And of course, my Grandmother never wasted anything!!
    I can’t wait to try your recipe! And, thank you for sparking a wonderful memory!!

    Reply
  17. Janice K

    September 16, 2018 at 9:32 am

    My Grandmother, and then my Mother would do something like this with left over pie dough. But without the vinegar. We are Italian. And of course, my Grandmother never wasted anything!!
    I can’t wait to try your recipe! And, thank you for sparking a wonderful memory!!

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 18, 2018 at 10:28 am

      Enjoy, Janice!

      Reply
  18. Sherry

    September 17, 2018 at 4:24 am

    I enjoyed reading about this ingenious recipe. I will be making this soon, probably this morning.

    Reply
  19. Brenda in TX

    September 17, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    A cousin brought vinegar rolls to a family reunion years ago claiming our grandmother made them. Hers were quite tart. I do not remember my grandmother making them.
    I am very tempted to try making them, but only a half recipe. I’ll let you know what my family thinks. Thanks for the memories. 🙂

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 18, 2018 at 10:27 am

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  20. L. K.

    September 17, 2018 at 5:13 pm

    My grandmother always made what our family called a “roly poly” with the dough left over from making a pie. It was just like base of yours but without the vinegar sauce. I’m definitely going to try your recipe the next time I make a pie, to compare them! 🙂

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 18, 2018 at 10:27 am

      My mother-in-law always rolled the pie crust scraps with cinnamon sugar; my mom left them flat. I love it any way. Just be sure to make extra crust to try this!

      Reply
  21. GooWee

    September 20, 2018 at 9:53 pm

    So you pour the juice over and around the bread? Does it sort of boil in the juice? Does the roll get done all through the middle? This is sort of like a cinnamon roll but with vinegar in the sugar sauce?

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 29, 2018 at 4:17 pm

      Yes, you pour this watery syrup all around the rolled up dough. While it cooks, the liquids thickens. It’s kind of like a cinnamon roll, but not a yeast dough.

      Reply
  22. Sherry

    September 21, 2018 at 5:09 am

    Do you ever add raisins and/or nuts to this?
    Thanks for recipe, I’m making this morning.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      September 29, 2018 at 4:16 pm

      Hi Sherry, sorry for the late reply. I’ve been traveling. I haven’t added nuts and raisins, but you certainly could. I think it would be good.

      Reply
  23. Susir

    October 21, 2018 at 1:54 pm

    This was soooo good! I loved it!
    Two of us ate it in one day! Followed
    Recipe exactly as written. Smelled
    Heavenly while baking! Yummy

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      October 21, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      Susir, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  24. Anthony Launza

    November 1, 2018 at 1:55 pm

    Finally, people who knows what a vinegar roll is. My mother use to make this all the time growing up. Know as an adult I request it every time I go home. I ask her how to make it but she never measures. She does it by taste, so I never could get it right……. finally a recipe I can go by. Thank you!!!!

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      November 1, 2018 at 9:18 pm

      My grandmother was the same way about not writing things down, it took a lot of trial and error to get the right taste! Enjoy, Anthony!

      Reply
  25. Diana

    December 16, 2018 at 11:01 am

    Hi I am getting ready to make this recipe. Sounds so yummy! Can this be frozen? And if so how long?

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 16, 2018 at 1:20 pm

      Hi Diana, I haven’t frozen it, but I think it would work well.

      Reply
  26. Marianne

    December 20, 2018 at 11:35 am

    Can you make these a day or two ahead and reheat before serving?

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 20, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      Yes, indeed!

      Reply
  27. Judy Greathouse

    December 27, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    My mama used to make what she called “ Vinegar Pie” but I don’t have her recipe either and my mama is no longer with me . I really yearn for my mamas special cooking.

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 27, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      Nothing is better than mama’s cooking! <3 Treasure the memories, Judy.

      Reply
  28. Trina Fitch

    December 31, 2018 at 6:38 am

    Are they supposed to be sliced into rolla before baking? When are they to be sliced?

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      December 31, 2018 at 12:27 pm

      Hi Trina, I slice them after baking. Have fun in the kitchen!

      Reply
  29. Diana

    March 6, 2019 at 2:04 pm

    OMG these are amazing! I’ve never heard of Vinegar Roll either. I was skeptical but willing to try. I am sooo glad I did. Thank you for a new family tradition for my family!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      March 6, 2019 at 4:43 pm

      It sounds crazy, but they really are tasty and budget friendly! I’m thrilled, Diana, to hear that your family enjoyed them, and I’m so grateful that you took the time to let me know. Happy baking!

      Reply
  30. Dee Kersbergen

    March 11, 2019 at 7:48 am

    D

    Reply
  31. Linda

    November 8, 2020 at 12:51 pm

    it looked delicious..I want to try over holiday

    Reply
    • polishhousewife

      November 8, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      Enjoy, Linda!

      Reply
  32. Lana

    January 28, 2022 at 5:17 pm

    Dziękuję xx

    Reply

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