Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cooking. Show all posts

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Perfection Found



One of my most popular posts had to do with my quest for the perfect cinnamon roll recipe. I am happy to report that the search is over and I have the gooey flavorful recipe here for all to enjoy! This recipe is curtesy of my friend Megan, a happy mom and wonderful chef.

Meg's "Sin"amon Rolls

2 Pkgs. yeast
1 tsp Sugar
1 Cup warm water

2/3 Cup Sugar
1 Cup warm milk
2/3 Cup melted butter
2 tsp. salt
2 eggs- beaten

6 1/2 -7 1/2 Cups Flour

Filling:
1/2 Cup melted butter
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
3 3/4 Tablespoons Cinnamon

For Pan:
1/2 Cup melted butter
1/3 Cup white sugar

1. In a small bowl dissolve 2 pkgs of yeast, 1 tsp. sugar, and 1 cup warm water. Set aside.

2. In a Large bowl, mix 2/3 cup sugar, 1 cup warm milk, 2/3 cup melted butter, 2 tsp. salt, and 2 beaten eggs. Stir well and add in your yeast mixture.



3. Slowly add 6 1/2 -7 1/2 Cups flour. Make sure not to add too much flour. Lightly flour your hands and knead dough for about 8 minutes. In a large, lightly greased bowl set dough aside to cover and rise until doubled (approximately 1 1/2 hours.)

4. Punch dough and let rest for 5 minutes (I love this part! :)

5. Roll dough on a lightly floured surface into 15 x 20 inch rectangle. Brush with 1/2 cup butter. Mix together 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and 3 3/4 Tablespoons cinnamon and sprinkle liberally over dough.



6. Roll dough and pinch to seal edges

7. Cut into 12-15 slices. (Note: I like to use string or dental floss to make this job easier.)

8. Coat the bottom of a large cookie sheet or 2 small cookie sheets with 1/2 cup margarine and then sprinkle 1/3 cup white sugar on the bottom of the pan. This gives the cinnamon rolls an amazing carmal-like coating on the bottom!

9. Place rolls close together in pan and cover. Allow 45 minutes to rise.

10. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

11. Frost when cool



Frosting:
6 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 Cup butter
3 Cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

Friday, February 8, 2008

The Quest for Perfection

One of my yearly goals has been the quest for the perfect cinnamon roll recipe. I'm talking about large, gooey, sinful, lick your fingers perfection. No skimping on the rich frosting! I've yet to find this necessary recipe, although today I am trying a variation on my friend Megan's recipe and I have high hopes.

Admittedly, I am not the greatest dinner cook. I find raw meat repulsive and I have little patience for the drudgery of kitchen work when it is 6:30 and I'm exhausted and hungry from my job. Baking is a different story though. Baking is done for delight not necessity and isn't usually done on an empty stomach. I love the magic and mystery that comes from adding a few basic ingredients and seeing how they mold together in sugary delight. I love the aroma of an apple pie as it moistens and sweetens in the oven. I enjoy the texture of pounding the dough and rolling sticky cookie batter into balls. I find great romance in baking when the mood strikes.