Extreme Cinnamon Roll

Sometimes things need to be extreme...

giant,

larger than life,

especially when it's time to celebrate a special occasion.

A birthday is the perfect time. :)

Normally, a birthday calls for cake or at least cupcakes...

but what do you make when someone doesn't really like those treats?

Well, you ask their girlfriend and hear the words, "Cinnamon rolls!"

Done.

But a regular cinnamon roll just won't do...

an extreme roll is the only solution.

Boom! 

Cinnamon to the extreme!

Directions:

1. Make you favorite Cinnamon Roll dough according to the directions. I use my mom's recipe, but right now that is a little family secret, but maybe some day I share it. ;)

2. Roll out the dough as even as you can...mine doesn't quite make it into a nice circle, but it works just fine.

3. Spread softened butter all over the dough.  Really try to cover ALL surface areas.

4. Sprinkle a generous layer of cinnamon and sugar.

5. Using a pizza cutter, cut strips of dough.  Try to make them as even as possible.

6. Choose a middle strip so that it's long and roll it up.  Place it in the center of a pie plate.

7. Now the tricky part...roll the rest of the strips and unroll it around the center of the roll.

8. Continue to wrap the layers around until you're about an inch away from the outside of the pie plate.

9. Dust the top of the roll with extra cinnamon and sugar. 
Also, place small chucks of butter inside of a few layers of the roll.
10.  Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Let it cool, then add a layer of cream cheese frosting.

Actually, this is the most difficult part...wait.

Wait and share with those you love.

They'll definitely feel the love that this roll can bring.

Enjoy!

Simply Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

Sometimes a person just feels like making cinnamon rolls.
Actually, sometimes a person just wants to eat a cinnamon roll.
Rather than get in the car and drive to a bakery,
this person...me, would rather spend hours making them.
Sounds a bit crazy, but that's me.
I can be a little nutty.
But that's okay, these rolls are a little nutty too.
So it works.

Now I grew up with my mom making the zenith of all cinnamon rolls...

Her rolls were a little twist of heaven. 

So when I try to make them, I'm always trying to make them as good as hers.

I have her recipe, and yes, I can recreate them, but it's definitely not vegan.

And that is the goal today.  

A vegan cinnamon roll that could rival my mom's...it's a difficult task, but someone's got to do it.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup warm water (approx. 110 degrees)
• 1 packet instant yeast
• 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk (almond, soy, etc.)
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/2 cup Earth balance (vegan butter), 
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 or 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup + 1 Tbl sugar, divided
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2- 1 cup chopped pecans

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat 1/4 cup water to approx. 110 degrees, add yeast, and let it activate for 10 minutes.  The yeast will bubble up to approx 2/3 cup. Then add 1 Tbl sugar, the salt, and stir.
2. In a large sauce pan (or in a bowl in the microwave at 30 sec increments), heat the almond milk and 3 Tbls coconut oil until warm and melted, never reaching boiling. Remove from heat and let cool to 110 degrees, or the temperature of bath water. 
3. Transfer the yeast mixture and milk mixture together in a mixing bowl.
4. Next add in flour 1/2 cup at a time, stirring as you go. The dough will be sticky. When it is too thick to stir, transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or so until it forms a loose ball. Rinse your mixing bowl out, coat it with canola or grapeseed oil, and add your dough ball back in. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place to rise for about 2 hour, or until doubled in size.

5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin rectangle. Brush with 1/2 cup of melted Earth Balance and top with 1/4 cup sugar, 2/3 cup brown sugar, chopped pecans, and 1/2 – 1Tbl cinnamon.

6.  Starting at one end, tightly roll up the dough and situate seam side down. Then with a serrated knife or a string of floss, cut the dough into 1.5 – 2 inch sections and position in a well-buttered 9 x 13 s pan (you should have about 12 rolls). Brush with remaining 2 Tbsp Earth Balance (melted) and cover with plastic wrap. Set on top of the oven to let rise again while you preheat oven to 350 degrees.

7.  Once the oven is hot, bake rolls for 25-30 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes, drizzle a simple icing, and then serve immediately.

Finally, as always...share these little rolls of love to those around you.
On reflection (and eating), I would add more of the butter, sugar, and pecan mixture to the middle or add a sticky-bun drizzle to the top before serving.  So, try it out and let me know what you think.  Then together we can try to make a vegan version of the heavenly rolls that my mom makes.

Enjoy,
Lori

Monkey Bread for One

Monkey Bread.

A little bite of heaven.

The only problem that I have with making Monday Bread,

 is that it creates a lot of it!

I know, like that's a problem.

But really it is a problem

unless you have a large group of people to share it with.

Otherwise you're standing in your kitchen peeling off pieces

while losing a debate with yourself about having another chunk. 

Yes.  I have lost frequently. 

I'm not a very good debater.

Plus, it's sooo delicious.

What isn't good about bite-sized pieces of cinnamon roll?

Seriously...it's delicious.

To help myself not be defeated in the kitchen,

I found a recipe for Monkey Bread that makes it in servings for one!

Or two...three...you get the idea. 

Easy to portion and easy to share...if sharing is your thing. 

I get selfish with Monkey Bread. 

 

Monkey Bread

Recipe from Get Off Your Butt and Bake

Head over there to get the step-by-step instructions.

Until then enjoy a little tummy temptation...

 

Let the dough rise and rise until it is doubled in size.

 Grease the muffin tins.  I use the larger ones, because I need a little more Monkey Bread.

 Mix up a little cinnamon and sugar.

I didn't add anything to the butter,
because I can't think of anything better than just melted butter.

This is where the fun really begins...
Cut chunks of dough, drop it in the butter, and then toss it in cinnamon & sugar.

 Yumma! Yumma!

 Hot out of the oven, it's difficult not to grab one and chow down. But I resisted, barely.

Add a simple icing...and tada!

A little perfection to share with those you love.

Enjoy my dear friends, and I won't judge you if you don't share.

Promise.

Sometimes I don't either.

Now go make some and make your weekend a bit sweeter.