Thursday, March 28, 2013

Cinnamon Breakfast Buns

Cinnamon is a spice that definitely triggers comfort to me.  As children, when we were ill, my mother always made us cinnamon toast with our tea, not to mention, the Snicker doodles she would have baking when we came home from school in the afternoon.  Yes, I love cinnamon.

I remember in the 80s, when we moved to California for my husband's job, my daughters and I were so excited to learn that Swenson's had a Cinnamon Ice Cream.  Do you remember Swenson's?  These ice cream parlors sprung up at about the same time that Haagan Dazs did where unusual ice cream flavors enticed us in to buy their expensive product:-D  Swenson's is only located in five states now--California, Florida, Minnesota, Nevada, and Texas, so I haven't had my beloved ice cream for a long time, unless I make my own.

Cinnamon has a long history of use, dating back to being mentioned in the Hebrew bible where Moses is commanded to use both sweet cinnamon and cassia in the holy anointing oil.  In Greek mythology is was highly prized as a gift fit for monarchs and even for a god.  There is a fine inscription that records a gift of cinnamon and cassia to the temple of Apollo at Miletus.  In 1518, Portuguese traders landed in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and began exporting this precious spice.  The Dutch East India Company took over the trade and in 1796 the British eventually took it over from them with their occupation of the area.  It's widely used as a spice for desserts--how could you make a apple pie without it--but in some cultures, it's used in savory dishes as well, such as lamb and chicken.  And, if that's not enough information, I found that it has been proposed as a an insect repellent, although not fully tested.

Cinnamon Breakfast Buns
1 cup milk
4 T unsalted butter
In a 2-cup glass measure, microwave the butter and milk for 45 seconds to 1 minute to melt the butter.  Add water to this mixture to equal 2 cups of liquid.

1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 large egg
2 T (or 2 pkg) SAF  Gold Yeast
5-5 1/2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, mix the sugar, salt and egg together.  While the mixer is running, pour the milk/butter/water liquid into it.  Continue to run mixture on low and sprinkle in the yeast.
Turn off the mixer and remove the paddle attachment; add the dough hook to the stand mixer.  Allow the mixture to set for 5 to 7 minutes until it's "foamy."
Add 3 cups of the flour and the cinnamon and mix on speed #2.  Gradually add the remaining 2 to 2 1/2 cups of flour until the dough is pulling away from the sides.
Transfer to a lightly flour bread board and knead to form a smooth ball.

Place in a large bowl (or dough bucket) that has been brushed with melted butter.  Allow to rise until double, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
To check to see if it's risen enough, press your finger into the dough, an impression should remain of your finger.
Cinnamon~Sugar Mixture
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Vanilla powder (I found this product at Williams-Sonoma)


Mix together and set aside.  Meanwhile, melt 4 T butter with 2 T maple syrup in a small saucepan.  Remove from the stove when the butter is melted.

To assemble buns:
1. Roll dough to a 12" x 18" rectangle.
 2. Brush with the melted butter/maple syrup mixture, then heavily sprinkle with over half of the cinnamon/sugar mixture.


3.  Starting at the side, away from you, tightly roll up the dough towards you.  Pinch the seam to seal.
4. Use a serrated knife to cut the dough in half, then each half into 6 pieces--this recipe makes a dozen.
5. Butter the wells of two jumbo muffin pans.
6.  Keeping one hand as your "dirty hand," pick up one of the buns and brush additional butter/maple syrup around the sides and on top.
 7. Take the bun over to the cinnamon/sugar bowl and sprinkle additional mixture around the sides and on top before setting it into a muffin well.

8. Cover the muffin pans with plastic wrap and allow to rise again...about 30 to 40 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375F-degrees.

9. When buns have risen, brush some additional butter on top and sprinkle with more cinnamon/sugar.  Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes.
10.  When done, allow to set in the pan about 10 minutes, before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

In addition to your home smelling heavenly, these buns were delicious and those memories of childhood came back with my mom making me toast and tea...sitting by my bedside and telling me it would make me feel better.  Enjoy!

 

28 comments:

  1. I love to make cinnamon buns. I like to eat them even more!
    Jane x

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    1. Me too...there's just something so satisfying about this spice, XOXO

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  2. Oh those look so good and so uniformly pretty. The last time I made cinnamon rolls, they tasted fine, but were not the most attractive. Swensons! I remember there being one in Tulsa, Oklahoma way long time ago. I remember it with great fondness. They always served a wafer like cookie tucked into their sundaes. Yup, Swensons was a weekly event for a while. ;>

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    1. I forgot about the sundaes and the cookie! We really enjoyed going there too, XOXO

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  3. I've never made cinnamon rolls in a muffin tin. It sure makes them beautifully even. Cinnamon is indeed a comfort food for me too! Who wouldn't love a wonderful cinnamon roll? ♥
    Martha Ellen

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    1. I wanted the outsides to have that crunchy, sugar~cinnamon coating and the muffin tin seem like a good idea that worked! Happy Easter, XOXO

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  4. You make it look so easy. They look yummy.

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    1. Don't be intimidated by yeast dough...remember you are the Master Baker and if you left it proof, you can't go wrong:-D

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  5. I love cinnamon toast...it's my favorite comfort food. But when I'm making something special for my hubby, it's either cinnamon rolls or Snickerdoodles...are both! I love the rolls baked in the muffin tin. What a great idea! Enjoy the holiday weekend my friend! Sweet hugs!

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    1. I still make cinnamon toast when I have a cold to accompany tea. Your hubby and I are on the same page when it comes to Snickerdoodles; by far, my favorite cookie. Happy Holiday to you, Sis XOXO

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  6. I love, Love, LOVE Cinnamon! These looks so amazing I would eat them all!!! Oh my goodness.
    Hugs,
    Linda

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    1. Oh, I ate my share, but I did send a bunch in with my hubby for his employees...I had to or I would have eaten the whole dozen! Have a lovely weekend with your grandson, XOXO

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  7. Yes! A cinnamon bun recipe that I think I could actually make. I am trying this this week! Thank you so much.

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    1. I kept them "just cinnamon," but you could certainly add raisins, currants, or even cranberries...I just wanted something simple. Happy Easter, Bonnie, XOXO

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  8. oh yum susan, oh how i wish i had one right now. RIGHT NOW!

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    1. Well, how I wish we lived closer...I'd share my baking and you could share your incredible knitting skills with me, XOXO

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  9. I'm a fan of cinnamon, too! I love to add it to cocoa when making a chocolate cake....they are a winning combination for me.

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    1. I'll have to try that in my cocoa; I know people add cinnamon to their coffee (Mexican Coffee) so it makes sense to try it in other beverages. You've give me an idea for a cookie!!

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  10. I just love the idea of baking the cinnamon rolls in a large muffin pan!!! Each one is a perfect serving. I use a lot of cinnamon also---it's so good on oatmeal and of course, my favorite, Snickerdoodles! It is a very versatile spice. Hugs, Barb

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  11. These look so delicious! Totally pinning! Thank you so much for sharing and Happy Easter to you!

    blessings,
    karianne

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    1. I wish we lived closer and I'd bring them to display on your beautiful Easter table scape! Happy Easter, Sis, XOXO

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  12. OMG...Did I just write that? :) These look sooooo gooooo!! I would love one or two of these right about now. My first cup of coffee: down. Second cup of coffee: eat one of these! :) I learned that cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, so I never feel bad about having it in a breakfast item, be it breakfast pie, breakfast cake, or breakfast cookies. So wished you lived just down the street...Happy Easter, my friend! Lv, me

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    1. If that's the case about the blood sugar...then I don't feel so bad that I ate two!! You know I wish I lived just down the street soon...I feel a visit is needed! Happy Easter too, XOXO

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  13. These look so good!

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  14. Oh I could eat a dozen of those RIGHT NOW.

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