Cinnamon Rolls…finally!

After 11 years of marriage and trying to find the perfect cinnamon roll recipe that make those big, puffy, yummy cinnamon rolls.  I have finally found it!  My husband loves cinnamon rolls and I have tried and tried to make them but they often just don’t rise and aren’t that great for being homemade. 

But then as of 2 days ago I came across this recipe.  These things were rising in 10 min and were nice and big and fluffy just how I have always imagined they should be. 

So here it is, the BEST Cinnamon Rolls Recipe EVER!!!

It comes from Fabulously Frugal’s website so I’ll just link you directly to her post.  It’s THE BEST CINNAMON ROLL RECIPE I’ve EVER MADE!!!

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/homemade-cinnamon-rolls/

A few tips:

Use  a BIG Bowl…not your mixer.  Mix it all by hand (or with a large spoon)

Buy “Dry Active” yeast, not quick rising

You will need about 10 cups of flour…yes a LOT.

This recipe makes about 3 dozen.  So be prepared to freeze a ton or make cinnamon rolls for everyone you know.  I was able to share these yummy treats with Seth’s teachers this morning.  Although our family and a few friends gobbled down 1 dozen yesterday

Also, I made my own frosting made up of 1 block of cream cheese, softened and several cups of powdered sugar (til you get the right consistency and taste you want) plus a bit of milk.  You can make more of this if you really like to douse your cinnamon rolls in frosting. 

So enjoy my friends!!!  I still can’t believe they rose so nicely.  I’m so excited.  I was jumping up and down in the kitchen after seeing how in 10 minutes the dough had risen and it rose again after I made them into rolls.  Yay!!! 

Pumpkin, Pecans in a muffin...yum!

I'll be making these on Friday to take to a baby shower. A friend made them a few weeks ago for Bible Study and they were so yummy. She got the recipe from the Southern Living Magazine, so I went online and found the recipe. Only make these if you're ready to eat about 10 of them in one sitting because they are really hard to resist. Or like me, you can make them to bring to a party just so you can have one.....or two :)

A glance at the last few weeks…

Seth checking out the tree.

Helped staple 1,000 candy canes to invites to a Christmas carol church service. These were handed out at a parade that we weren’t able to attend since we had the flu that weekend.

A student, at the school my husband teaches, backed into our car as we were pulling out of the parking lot to go look at houses…so frustrating. Cost $850 – we decided we’ll just live with the dent. We can’t ask him to pay for that…we hope to get a “new” car eventually…well, some day....maybe.

Since we didn’t have any of our Christmas decor with us, we went to Target got a 4 ft tree and Isaac picked out the ornaments. He picked this blue and purple T-Rex along with a package of ornaments – at least they were coordinating colors.

Seth eating a fruit and grain bar. Made quite the mess. He LOVES table food. Don’t let him see you eating because you will HAVE to share it with him.

Sock monkey I made for part of my nieces Christmas present. Go here for the tutorial.

Made buttons with Isaac to give to his teachers at the mom’s group we attend. We made peanut butter blossoms, saltine toffee, chocolate espresso snowcaps, pecan bars and buttons all wrapped in recycled formula cans that I wrapped in Christmas paper – glued on with modge podge – and tied some bows on. Worked nicely to keep the goodies from being smashed. Wrapped each type of cookie in individual bags and then placed inside the can.

Had two “snow” days this week. We only got a dusting, but they had several inches in the mountains so school was called off for my husband. Exams were made optional..first time ever in the schools history. It’s been an interesting week. Second “snow” day was rainy for us, but icy in the mountains.

Please excuse my horrible unedited pictures. But this is our little tree. I’m hoping to take a better picture tomorrow.

Every house we go to here in TN that has boys, has play guns. I’ve never been one to encourage playing with guns, but we felt Isaac needed to learn the correct rules of playing with one (I know I’m a bit of a paranoid mom). So we got him one from the dollar store and all I can say is he is definitely a boy and I hope I don’t regret this decision.

My baby is 9 months old. Where did the time go? At lot has happened in the past 9 months…crazy to think about it all.

Sorry, for the long post…but this is all the time I have right now. Trying to pack for our move, pack for our 10 day trip to Indiana to see family for Christmas and move the rest of our belongings down here. Making tons of calls for the old and new house to get ready for closings on both. Still making a few last minute Christmas gifts and I ran out of wrapping supplies last night…need boxes, wrapping paper, and tissue paper. I just need to remember to breath and take one day at a time… I can’t wait for Christmas so I can relax and enjoy time with family and celebrate our Saviors birth.

Linking to show and share day at:

I love baking...

Have I ever mentioned that I love to bake? Well, I do. I also love trying out recipes that show you a picture of what the end result is going to (errr....supposed to) look like. I'm not saying I am the greatest baker out there, but I do enjoy it. Problem is that when I bake I usually want to eat it. So I either freeze it and try to keep it in the freezer so I won't it eat all at once, or give it away. My husband LOVES cookies, bars, anything sweet and gets a bit upset when he finds out all the goodies have been given away.
Anyways, I came across this blog today and I'm seeing a TON of recipes I'd love to try. So go on over and check it out and see if you are tempted to start baking something immediately after seeing these recipes.

Recipe Blog

A friend of mine recently set up a recipe blog called The Beginners Kitchen. She invited me to participate and add recipes to the blog as well. I don't know if you are like me, but I love trying new recipes or getting tasty recipes from others after I have tasted their delicious dish. Feel free to check out the blog and even become a member to add recipes of your own. Enjoy!

Banket

If you're Dutch, then you should know what banket is (pronounced "Bon-ket"). It is one of my favorite baked goodies that we have at Christmas time. This year my mom didn't make it so I thought I'd give it a try. I've always been nervous to try to bake it because it is one of my mom's specialties and she is a master at making it. Today I decided to make some. I made the dough last night since it has to sit in the fridge overnight. The rest I put together this afternoon. They didn't turn out as nice as my mom's, but for my first try I'd say they turned out pretty good...they at least taste like the should. I did have a couple sticks that the almond paste exploded out the side, but they still tasted fine. I'll have to ask my mom for her tips on how you stop that from happening. So here are the pictures of how I made banket.

Here is the recipe for those who want it.
1 lb butter
4 cups flour
1 cup water - ice cold
Mix and refrigerate overnight so dough is firm. (My mom says it's best to mix by hand, I did it the easy way and used my kitchen aid mixer)

1 lb almond paste (grated - just break it into little pieces by hand)
2 cups sugar
3 eggs (beaten)
Mix and chill overnight. (You have to mix this in your mixer or use a hand mixer to beat it up)

Divide dough equally into 8 parts. Roll out dough to roughly 14 x 5 inches. With fingers, lay a section of filling down the length of dough. Wet ends of dough and flip over filling. Wet all remaining edges and roll loosely to seal stick. Brush tops with beaten egg white. Prick with fork every inch (although after I made mine I was told to cut slits in the top and that stops the almond paste from exploding out the side). Bake on greased jelly roll pan in a 400-425 degree oven for 20-30 minutes. Watch carefully so that it doesn't get too brown. (I did mine at 400 for 20 minutes and that was just right). Makes 8 sticks.

The dough before rolling it out.

Dough rolled out. Then put almond paste along edge.

Rolled it up and then brushed egg white on top and poked with fork.

Here is the end result after they have been baked.
(Some of my almond filling spilled out from the inside, so that's
why it looks funny. It still tasted good though.)

Pictures from Isaac's Birthday Party....Finally!

I finally am able to load my pictures (thanks to some helpful advice from some friends to buy a memory card reader)...Yay!!! So here are pictures from Isaac's bday party. Enjoy.

The Clifford cake I made. (It must have been good enough that Isaac knew what it was..he would make a "oof, oof" sound when he saw it :)

Isaac mostly just smashed it and only ate it when I put it in his mouth.

He loved his new sled!

Playing with his cousins. They all loved Isaac's new toys!