Baking Therapy

I've had a lot on my mind lately & for some reason I thought that baking would be useful therapy. So first thing this morning after breakfast I began. I knew I was going to make cinnamon rolls for sure. Then I figured I'd make a loaf of white bread since David missed out last time I made it. & when I bake bread I always, always make honey rolls *sigh* They will surely be the scapegoat for my thighs later in life :oP

So we'll start with the super simple White Bread recipe. The original recipe makes about 4 loaves of bread so I've halfed it. It should easily feed a family of 4-6 for a week.

1 c. warm water *Hot tapwater works fine*
4 Tbsp. Sugar
1 pkg yeast
Add these 3 ingredients together, stir, & set aside until yeast has doubled in size(15 mins or so).

1 c. water
2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
2 tsp. salt
3 1/2 c. flour *I sometime use up to 2 extra cups of flour, it's no big deal, use what you need*
Once yeast has doubled add the ingredients together & mix with dough hooks about 6 mins. If the dough still sticks to your fingers then add another cup of flour, up to 2 cups more. If you need more than 2 extra cups it's no problem so don't get uptight & think you're doing it wrong. Making bread is a tricky process ;o)

When it's done set the dough out on a floured counter top or baking sheet & let it rest for 15 mins.  Punch the dough back down & start forming your loaves. Place them in greased loaf pans. Cover with towels & place in a warm place to rise, they should double in size.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 mins. Your house will smell so good the neighbors will be knocking down your door :o) When golden on top, pull out of oven, & rub butter over the top, mmmm.

You can keep the bread wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge. It's good with lots of things like Meatloaf :o)


Next Up:

Honey Rolls
1 c. warm water *I use hot water from the tap*
2 1/2 tsp. instant yeast *it's the same as 1 pkg of yeast*
3 tbsp. sugar

Mix these 3 together & set aside so your yeast can rise a bit, about 10 mins or so.

1/3 c. orange juice
1/2 c. honey
4 tbsp. UNsalted butter, cut up

Go ahead & throw these in your mixer.

2 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
2 1/4 c. bread flour
1 3/4 tsp. salt

Set these aside until your yeast is ready.

When the yeast is good to go, pour it into your mixer with the juice, honey, & butter. Then add your flours & salt. Mix with a dough hook for about 6 minutes or so. It's not going to look like dough per se, it may look sticky but it shouldn't be when you touch it. Then cover & let it sit until it become puffy, 1-2 hours.

Deflate the dough & divide it out into the size rolls you like. Place them on a lightly greased baking sheet. I normally just spray some Pam EVOO on mine. Cover them yet again & let them rise another hour or so.

Bake them uncovered at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. Trust me you'll start to smell them :o) They are pretty darn good topped with a slice of butter.

& Last a recipe for Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
I actually found this on The Pioneer Woman's site & this woman can bake a fantastic cinnamon roll :o) So here is her recipe. It makes 2- 4 cake pans of rolls depending on how thick want them.

2 c. whole milk
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. veggie oil
Heat these 3 in a pan until just before boiling point. You Do NOT want it to actually boil so keep a close check on it. Then set it aside to cool off for about an hour or so.

1 pkg active dry yeast
4 c. flour
Sprinkle yeast over cooled(but still warm) liquid & add flour. Stir until combined then cover & let it rise 1 hour. It's still gonna look sticky but trust me it's perfect :o)

1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
scant 1/2 tsp. baking Soda
heaping 1/2 tsp. baking Powder
Afterwards add flour & dry ingredients. Mix together well. At this point you can refrigerate the dough if needed, for a day or 2 at most. Or you can continue on with this delicious recipe :o)

1/2 c. melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
cinnamon
Sprinkle surface with flour(keep the flour handy, you may need a tad bit more). Take half the dough & form a rectangle. Roll it out into a rectangle, thin or thick which ever you prefer. Pour HALF of the melted butter on & spread it around, then pour HALF of the sugar over the dough. Add the cinnamon, sprinkle as much as you like, whatever your taste buds are drooling for. I happen to like a nice strong cinnamon-y flavor :o)

Roll into a long roll & slice, either thin 3/4 in or thicker 1-1/4 in slices. Place them in your buttered cake pans & cover, let them rise for about 30 mins. Then bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  Repeat with the other half of dough.

Frosting for Cinnamon rolls - What's a roll without it's frosting people?!!

3/4 bag of powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
1/4 c. milk
1/8 c. melted butter
1/8 c. brewed coffee
dash of salt

Stir it all together well until smooth. It may be a lil thick but should be pourable. Taste & adjust as needed. Generously drizzle over your warm cinnamon rolls. Absolute Heaven!! Trust me, we had these for dessert tonight ♥

& here's our finished dinner plate:

 Fresh baked  bread, delicious mashed red potatoes, green beans from my mom's garden, & my wonderful meatloaf with a side of divine sweetness - cinnamon rolls. So, so good. Enjoy!!