Rosli puts a sweet spin on guilt-free cinnamon rolls

Rosli puts a sweet spin on guilt-free cinnamon rolls

Homebaker@Clover offers mouthwatering, plant-based baked treats that are both indulgent and healthy, catering to all dietary needs.

Rosli Manaf started Homebaker@Clover to fill a gap in the cinnamon roll business. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)
SHAH ALAM:
The scent hits you first – a heady mix of cinnamon, sugar, and freshly baked dough that fills the air like a warm, sweet embrace. It draws you in, past the rustic brick walls and cosy wooden beams that give Homebaker@Clover in Bukit Jelutong its charm.

Everything at this homegrown artisan bakery, specialising in cinnamon rolls, feels like an invitation to indulge. Each pastry is crafted with care, and every bite is a moment to savour.

It’s a space that invites you to slow down, soak in the comfort, and enjoy the simple pleasures of a cup of hot house-blend coffee.

The best part? You can indulge in these cinnamon rolls guilt-free – they’re eggless, dairy-free, and made with plant-based butter.

Even the cinnamon is specially sourced from a spice factory in Johor to ensure a rich, consistent taste. This was essential to Rosli Manaf, founder and CEO of Homebaker@Clover, who wanted his treats to be both indulgent and healthy.

“Our mission is to help everyone celebrate. Whether it’s birthdays, office parties, or housewarmings, we focus on ‘everyone.’ If you’re dairy intolerant, egg intolerant, or vegan, you can now enjoy our cinnamon rolls. And they’re healthier too,” Rosli shared.

The cinnamon rolls here are indulgent and healthy. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

Modelled after European bakeries that Rosli has visited, the display counter is a feast for the senses, showcasing an explosion of tastes and colourful baked treats.

From the classic cinnamon roll with cream cheese to pandan gula melaka and raspberry pistachio, Homebaker@Clover has something for everyone.

“We wanted to be creative and innovative, so we localised many of the flavours. As a result, many of our cinnamon rolls can’t be found anywhere else in the world,” Rosli added.

Homebaker@Clover, which has nine outlets across the Klang Valley, has a charming back story. When Rosli’s wife, Mawar Hariaety Azmi, was pregnant with their youngest son in 2015, she craved cinnamon rolls.

Rosli, ever the devoted husband, searched all over but came back empty-handed. Undeterred, he put his baking skills to work and created a scrumptious batch. Soon, friends and family were hooked, and what started as a home-based business quickly grew.

Many of the cinnamon roll flavours at Homebaker@Clover cannot be found elsewhere in the world. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

During the pandemic, the business skyrocketed. On Oct 4, 2020 Rosli opened Homebaker@Clover’s first brick-and-mortar shop in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, which now serves as the central kitchen for all outlets.

The launch date was deliberately chosen as it is National Cinnamon Bun Day in Sweden, where the cinnamon roll is said to have originated after World War I.

More than 3,000 cinnamon rolls are freshly baked every day, then sent out to various locations, with dedicated bakers starting their shift at 5am.

And if you’re sceptical about these healthier cinnamon rolls, Homebaker@Clover will prove you wrong – you won’t be able to tell the difference between these and the traditional ones made with eggs, milk, and butter.

The classic cinnamon roll here is a perfect blend of soft, pillowy dough wrapped around a rich swirl of aromatic cinnamon and sugar. Topped with smooth, plant-based cream cheese frosting, each bite melts in your mouth, delivering a comforting sweetness that’s simple and indulgent.

The Bukit Jelutong outlet also doubles up as the central kitchen for the other outlets. (Muhaimin Marwan @ FMT Lifestyle)

For a local twist, the pandan gula melaka cinnamon roll offers a delightful variation, topped with a light drizzle of creamy coconut glaze. The soft, fragrant dough is infused with the subtle, earthy notes of pandan, while the rich swirl of cinnamon is complemented by the deep, caramelised sweetness of gula melaka.

Rosli keeps the menu here exciting with unique offerings such as Swedish Knots and Polish Cinnamon Babkas, Nordic variations of cinnamon rolls. You can even purchase frozen cinnamon rolls, perfect for baking at home whenever you crave a fresh batch.

And the future looks even sweeter. Rosli plans to expand the frozen cinnamon roll line, open more outlets, and introduce even more exciting flavours.

So, next time you’re in Bukit Jelutong, treat yourself to a cinnamon roll adventure – because life’s too short to skip dessert!

Find out more about Homebaker@Clover here or follow them on Instagram.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.