Oh-So-Delicious Cinnamon Rolls

When I was a teenager, we lived in a small town with a village restaurant.  This particular restaurant had the most enormous cinnamon rolls, and they tasted even better than they looked!  It was always a treat to get one, although it was difficult to eat a whole one by yourself.  They were just too big.

Earlier this summer, after reminiscing about some childhood memories, I became obsessed with finding the recipe for these delicious rolls.  Further inquiry revealed that the rolls were made by a local Amish woman, and no one really knew the recipe.  I was disappointed, but not deterred.  I knew that somewhere in the wide world, the recipe lurked, just waiting to be discovered.  I searched the internet, perused dozens of recipe archives, and came up with nothing similar.  It seemed that the more elusive the recipe, the more obsessed I became with finding it!

One day after several weeks of searching, I found, quite by accident a recipe that I thought might just work.  I tweaked it a little, and was very pleased with the results.  I will share my much-sought-after recipe with you, since it is getting to be that time of year when we all like to bake things  warm and yummy and scentalicious (I think I just made up a new word).

 

Cinnamon Rolls

Prep time: About 2 hours rising (unattended) 40 Min attended
Cook time: 25 min
Serves: 8+
Yield: 12 rolls

Dough
1 cup + 1TB warm buttermilk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)  You can also use regular milk, but I got better results using buttermilk
2 eggs
5 TB melted butter
4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup white sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast

Filling
1 cup brown sugar
2 TB ground cinnamon
4 TB softened butter

Glaze
4 TB melted butter
4 TB cream cheese, softened
2 TB warm milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Dough:  Mix all wet ingredients together in a medium bowl, then add the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough is formed.  Knead until mixed well, then cover and allow to sit in a warm place for one hour, or until almost doubled in size.  Dough can also be mixed using a stand mixer with a dough hook.

After rising, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and let it rest while you prepare the filling.  Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and melt the butter in a separate bowl. 

Roll the dough into a rectangle about 12” wide and  24” long.  Spread the entire surface with melted butter, then sprinkle it with the filling mixture, leaving about 1” clear on the long side.  It should look something like this.

Begin rolling the dough from the long side, keeping edges even.  This can be a bit tricky, but the dough usually handles very well.

Pinch closed along the open edge, sealing the roll shut.

Once the dough is sealed, shape the ends a little, and cut into twelve rolls.  I have found that using dental floss to make the cuts results in a cleaner cut, and does not squash the shape.  I even used cinnamon floss to enhance the flavor! :)

Set the rolls, cut side up, in a lightly sprayed 13x9” dish, leaving space between them.  Cover and allow to rise for 30-45 minutes in a warm place. 

After rising, preheat the oven to 350.  The rolls will have grown in size and will look something like this.

Bake for 18-20 minutes.  While rolls are baking, mix up the glaze, adding more milk or sugar to achieve the proper consistency. 

Allow the rolls to cool slightly before adding the glaze.  I usually wait 15-20 minutes, then pour on the glaze.

The rolls are delicious right out of the oven, but I usually make them the night before and reheat them for breakfast the following morning.  (I do not relish the thought of getting up at 5 a.m. to have cinnamon rolls by breakfast time.)  They taste great no matter what you do, and your house will smell scentalicious and cinnamon-y.

Now, go make some!  I promise you won’t regret it!

Now We’re Cookin’!

Sometimes the toys that we have are much loved and often used.  Others are played with occasionally and ignored the majority of the time.  (These I try to eliminate as quickly as possible.)  I think the most popular toys we have owned are the play kitchen items.  My childhood kitchen items have been passed down to my children, and along the way we have added more food items, dishes, and miscellaneous junque. All of the kids have loved playing kitchen since they were tiny.  They frequently bring down new dishes for us to “eat.”

Thus, when my old tin stove crumbled into disrepair, it was a hard blow for the girls especially. The decal stickers had already begun to come off, the plastic window in the oven door popped out and was stepped on, the knobs fell off, and in general, it looked pretty ratty.  The straw that broke the camel’s back was the oven door hinge that broke, causing it to hang open perpetually. 

My husband had pity on the girls who could now only “cook” on the stovetop.  He found a plan for a little stove and, out of scrap lumber leftover from other projects, he made them a new one.  Alright, everybody say, “Awwww!”

I don’t know that any father has gotten so much pleasure out of making and giving a wooden stove to his girls as my husband did.  The girls were thrilled!  The little knobs turn and the oven door opens and closes with a magnetic latch.  Now we can once again have all the delicious baked plastic food that we can eat!

Here they are in their PJs, exulting over their new appliance!  Random thought: Did anyone else notice that Esther looks like a giant pink frog in this photo?  :) 

Date Night

The other night, I went out with a young man.  No, not my husband.  Before the rumor mills begin churning out all kinds of supposed scandal, let me enlighten you.  This particular young man is my oldest son, Josiah.  He is eleven and one of the sweetest kids I know.  He has that pre-teen sense of humor that makes telling corny jokes a real pleasure, because he actually get them, and occasionally has a decent comeback!  :)

A long while ago, I took him out on a “date.”  He was instructed by his father to open my door and make sure he treated me like a lady.  He took his job very seriously, and did everything as he was told.  We had a nice time, but it bothered him that I paid for the outing.  He seemed to think that he had somehow shirked his gentlemanly responsibility by allowing me to pay.  (Never mind that he had no money and no job – I would never seriously consider a man like that, but since he is my son, it changes things a bit.) 

Apparently, this lack of responsibility has been chafing him all this time.  A few weeks ago, he began talking of taking me out again, with one difference – he  was going to pay for it all.  The problem was, I could never find a time that just the two of us could escape.  So, for at least three weeks, he mentioned it daily.  Never less than once a day, and usually three or four.  I began to feel a kinship with the unjust judge and the importunate widow.  I had to find a time for this date, just to maintain my own sanity.  Thankfully, an opportunity became available, and we hopped in the truck and headed to Wendy’s. 

I think it was the culmination of all his dreams – fries and a Frosty.  He ordered, and I found a table while he paid and waited for our food.  He carried it carefully to the table and thanked the Lord for the food.  I’ll give you three guesses as to who got the lion’s share of this meal… and the first two don’t count! LOL

Of course, we had to take our picture – easier said than done.  Here’s my cute little man.

He was all seriousness when we sat down, and began talking as we ate.  He said it was a much better date since he was able to pay this time.  I secretly agreed.  I thanked him for taking me out on a date, and his matter-of-fact response cracked me up.  “Thank you, Mama, for driving.  I might not have done so well.”  Might?  LOL!!!

I am very thankful for this little guy.  He is a blessing in so many ways.  I know the Lord has something special planned for his life, and I am so grateful that I get to be a part of that plan.  I love you, Josiah!

Pie Season

I love fall for many reasons, but one of them is that it is pie season.  All the fruit is ripening, and being harvested, and all the crops are in from the garden.  Apples, peaches, cherries, pumpkin – you name it – it smells like pie to me!

While with Paul’s parents  a while back, his mom and I made several pies.  We made a few pumpkin and one delicious cherry pie! 

I don’t think I had ever made a cherry pie before, but I will definitely put it on my list of things to do again in the future!  Topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream it was good enough to “make you want to slap your mama,” as they say.  none of us slapped anyone, but we did enjoy this pie!

Paul’s grandma came foe lunch on day and brought two of the best lemon merengue pies I have ever eaten!  They were not runny at all, and the lemon flavor was so clean and tangy.  Yum!  I have to get that recipe as well. 

What is your favorite kind of pie?  Mine is anything but pumpkin.

A Tisket, A Tasket…

Thoughtfulness in a basket.  That’s what we had for breakfast this morning.  It was actually in the form of fresh blueberry muffins, bananas, and orange juice.  Maybe you are puzzled by the special-ness of this, but I will explain.

Paul and I are on a no-kids vacation getaway!   It is one of those time-share deals – you know, listen to the spiel for two hours, and get a few nights in a hotel.  :)  My mom and step-father drove down from Ohio to stay with the children.  I am forever grateful to them.  I know they will have a great time with the grandkids, and I hope they are not totally worn out by Friday!

We are on our way to Charleston, SC, which happens to be one of our favorite places.  I love the southern charm and the old architecture of the city.  There are so many different things to see and do for little or no cost, too.  We only made it to the greater Atlanta area last night, and ate dinner with some college acquaintances, Josh and Alicia.  We had a very fun dinner with them and their family, as well as a great time of fellowship.  We stayed in the prophet’s chamber at their church, which was a real blessing to us.  Alicia gave us a basket for our breakfast, which was just so thoughtful.  It was also quite yummy!  Thanks to both of you for your hospitality and friendship!

The Mystery of the Missing Avacado

There is nothing like a good mystery to engage my thinking and excite the senses.  Last week, I bought three avocados when they were on sale at Kroger.  I was thinking maybe some guacamole and chips for a snack, you know?  All my kids love “broccomole,” as Daniel has dubbed the green stuff. 

Anyway, I started to prepare some dinner the other night, and to my consternation, I could only find two avocados.  “Now where did I put that other one?”  I thought to myself.  I began searching the countertop, in hopes that it would be hidden under a stray pot holder, or perhaps a rumpled grocery bag.  I looked on the floor, in the refrigerator, in the sink, behind my toaster oven, all to no avail.  The avocado had simply disappeared!

 

I thought perhaps it was outnumbered by the other two and summarily dispatched, but that seemed unlikely.  My only other option was to ask my normally clueless children.  “Has anyone seen my other avocado?” I asked.  Four sets of eyes fastened on me, and a high-pitched voice squeaked, “Daniel had it!”  Not good.  I ventured another question, “Well, where did he put it?”  Nobody knew.  Double not good.  Hmmm… Maybe I should ask the accused, I thought.  “Daniel, where did you put the avocado?”  He looked at me with a deceptively innocent face and replied, “It was yucky.”  One of his siblings took this opportunity to tell me that he had had it on the couch, and that while he was “hatching” it, it split open.  Okay, this was definitely not getting any better the more I questioned.  Now I had a rogue avocado somewhere in the trailer.  I searched the couch cushions and the trash cans, but still could not find the fruit.  Finally, I gave up.  It has been over a week now, and there has been no sign of the AWOL avocado.  I keep looking, and every now and then, sniffing around in the dark corners of the kids’ room.  I am afraid of what I will find if it does eventually show up.  But for now, it is one of the great unsolved mysteries of my life.

The Fruit of My Labor

I really enjoy eating fruit, and we are headed into the fruit season already.  I bought some of the most beautiful, bit strawberries at the store the other day.  They were red, luscious, and totally delicious.  I decided to make them even better! :)

 

 

I enjoy making things – that is probably obvious to you by now.  I wanted to try my hand at dipping these berries to make them a beautiful and elegant dessert, not to mention so easy!  The first step is to wash and carefully dry all the berries.  That took probably more time than anything else. 

 

After all the berries are dried, I put the candy melts in the microwave until they were smooth and creamy.  It is important that your berries are totally dry before dipping, because water will cause the chocolate to “seize,” or clump.  This can also happen if you heat the candy for too long.  Short intervals of time with stirring in between is the best formula for getting the perfect consistency to your candy coating.

 

Your candy should look something like this.  I was only doing about 25 berries, so I didn’t use my big melting pot.  I filled my 2 cup Pyrex glass measuring cup and just dipped the berries into it. 

 

The girls were helping me, and of course, they were awed and amazed, excited and overly helpful!  We had a lot of fun together, and they learned something new. 

 

After dipping the berries, I placed them on wax paper to dry.  I thought about drizzling a little dark chocolate over them, but decided to just leave things as they were.  Too many calories already! :)

 

I love the color contrast of the bright red and green berries against the white.  It makes me think of summer.  They also taste pretty good!

 

I am going to be making several dozen for an upcoming pastor’s luncheon for our church next week.  Who knows, I may try a few fancy tricks for that! 

 

Whatever the case, my family really enjoyed the special treat, and I know they will be asking for more…

Step on the Scale

Okay – I admit it.  One of my eternal resolutions, at least for the last several years, is to shed a few (well, probably more than a few) pounds.  I have tried several diets, some with more success than others, but all to no avail in the end.  It can be really discouraging to struggle with weight for extended periods of time—especially when you know that if you really applied yourself, you could actually lose that unwanted flab. 

 

I have recently begun to chip away at the excess poundage by eating smaller portions and a bit of daily exercise – walking, a few squats and crunches – you know.  As I was thinking about the process of how I got to where I am physically, I could break it down into little choices every day.  Snacking between meals, eating a little too much here and there, eating late at night.  It all adds up over time, and as the body stores the fat, it becomes harder to eliminate it.

 

There is a verse that has always made me smile.  It says, “The liberal soul shall be made fat.”   As I thought about that, it occurred to me that God was putting that in a positive light.  How does one get a fat soul?  It doesn’t happen overnight.  It comes from feeding on the Word of God regularly, from “snacking” between those meals, from taking an extra bite here and there, eating a little bit from my husband’s plate, feasting on rich things late at night, etc.  I think you get the point.  All those little extra bites of God’s Word turn into nourishment for the soul.  It stores up in your heart and, during the lean times of your life, your soul can still feed on those stored up riches.

 

While I am determined to rid myself of the excess pounds I have put on over the last several years, I also want to become fat spiritually.  As I hope to see my bathroom scale moving down, I want to see my spiritual scale going up.  How are you?  Are you starving yourself spiritually, or are you on your way to being truly fat?  Take a little time to have some extra spiritual nourishment this week, and let it enrich your life!

Slimed!

We love Mexican-style food around our house.  It is unusual if we don’t have a Mexican style meal at least once a week.  After having been to Mexico several times on Mission trips, I have gotten the knack of making authentic tacos and guacamole, and we all love it!  The kids all called the guacamole, “green stuff”  for a long time.  Daniel, our youngest, had a variation on the name that was quite funny.  We also eat a lot of broccoli, and I think he got the two items confused, and thus the “green stuff” was dubbed, “brocco-mole!” 

This week, I made a Mexican skillet type meal, using ground venison, refried beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and some spices.  I also made some guacamole to top it, and the whole thing was to be eaten with tortilla chips.  Yum!  I splurged and bought a fresh lime to squeeze over our food (that does amazing things for Mexican food) and brought it to the table with me.  “Who wants some lime?” I asked.  Amidst the chorus of children’s voices crying, “Me! I want some lime,” Daniel’s voice rose above the rest— “I don’t want SLIME!”  Needless to say, we have a new family joke!  Want some slime? :)

Chrysanthemum Cupcakes

I am making a last ditch effort to get rid of my junk and having my garage sale again.  I really want to get rid of all the stuff, but it seems people have a hard time finding my house (it’s a little off the beaten trail) while driving around town.  This time, I was able to get my ad in the local paper, so I am hoping for better results.  :)
Last time we had the sale, I made yummy cupcakes and they were more popular than the cheap junk!  How does that work?!  I told Paul the next time I have a sale, I will make it a bake sale.  I love the baking and decorating, even though I don’t do it very often. 
I saw this idea for cupcakes a few months ago and I have been dying to try it myself.  They look like chrysanthemums, but depending on the color of sugar you use, they could be any number of beautiful colors.  I did orange and turquoise sugars, and this is how they turned out.

My kids helped with the decorating, so it didn’t take me twelve hours to do it all myself!

Aren’t they gorgeous?  I just love these cupcakes!  They would be perfect for a ladies spring banquet, a shower, or even a tea party!  They are an eye-catching treat!

It’s so easy, too!  Make your cupcakes and let them cool.  Put a thin layer of icing over each one (it works best if the icing is still sticky when you put on the petals). 
Cut miniature marshmallows (I used white, but they are also beautiful with the colored mini marshmallows) diagonally in half with a pair of scissors and toss in your choice of colored sugar (you can get precolored sugar, or make your own with a few drops of food coloring).  The cut side is sticky, so the sugar adheres to it, making a nice color contrast with the white. 
Starting at the outside edge, place the marshmallows, using the flat side of the cut marshmallow as the base, on the iced cupcake.  When you finish the outside row, start on the next, going around in circles until  you have reached the middle. 
My kids (5, 7, & 10) were quite capable of putting these on neatly, so with eight hands doing the work, it went quite smoothly.  They actually helped with the marshmallow snipping and sugar tossing as well.  My advice: delegate with caution! :)  We all had a wonderful and fun afternoon working together.  I sure hope someone buys those cupcakes so I don’t have to eat them all!