Perfect Cinnamon Buns

Today is my Father-in-law's birthday. He is really the best dad-in-law a girl could ask for. He treats me like one of his own, and he is one of the best Grandpas (they call him Papa) there is. Plus, we see eye to eye when it comes to dessert. He would much rather have a giant batch of cinnamon buns than a birthday cake. I hear him on that. I prefer making cinnamon buns, too. It's a win win. Happy Birthday Dad number 2!

These cinnamon buns are bar non the best I have ever had. The recipe was given to me by a good friend who got it from her sister. No idea where it came from, but if I ever find out, I'll put it on here.

Perfect Cinnamon Buns

DOUGH:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 4  1/2 tsp quick-rise yeast
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1  4-serving package of vanilla pudding mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 6 cups flour

FILLING:

• 2 cups brown sugar combined with 4 tsp cinnamon
• butter for spreading

FROSTING:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp milk

DIRECTIONS:

Combine water, yeast and sugar, stirring until dissolved.

Prepare pudding according to packaging.

Combine pudding, butter, eggs, and salt.

Add yeast mixture.

Gradually add flour and knead until smooth. (You may need a little extra).

Grease a big bowl, and place dough in. Let rise for about 45 minutes.

Once risen, roll out to a 34"x21" rectangle. 

Spread butter all over the dough and then sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.

Roll as tightly as you can, and cut intop rolls. I got 18, but you may get more or less, depending on how big you like them, and how big your rectangle got.

I like to score mine across the top so I can see exactly where I'm going to cut.

Grease 2 cookie sheets (with sides) put the buns on.

Cover with a tea towel and let rise again for about 1 hour.

Before rising.

After rising.

I bet you can almost smell them from there.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes. When you take them out, they will look like this.

After they've cooled a bit, you can frost them. Combine all the frosting ingredients and mix in a stand mixer or with hand held beaters. Mix and mix and mix until there are no lumps. Spread generously on the cinnamon buns. Feel free to lick the spoon. And the bowl. And your fingers. 

-Jessica

Chocolate Lime Cupcakes with Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

Yesterday was Groudhog Day. Maybe you've heard of it. Or maybe you've heard of the movie. I love me some Bill Murray, especially in Groundhog Day. And since it's (to my knowledge) the only movie based on this holiday, I get to watch it once a year. Well, yesterday, Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter for those in the US of A. Suckers. His Canadian cousin, Wiarton Willie said that those of us in the Great (not so white) North will be getting an early spring. Meaning me. Ha. And so far, it's been true. February 3rd and it was so warm and sunny I had my living room window open all day.

So, naturally, I had to make something spring-y. Had to. Plus. limes were on sale and I had 8 plump and juicy ones sitting in my fruit bowl.

Chocolate and lime is not a typical flavour combo, but I really don't know why. Alone they're great, but together, they're amazing. Something about the richness of the chocolate and the tart but soft lime flavour really works. Is you're with me here in Canada, make some to celebrate early spring. If not, you need something to drown your sorrows in anyway.


I found this chocolate cake recipe a few years ago online somewhere. I don't remember where, but it's my favourite cake recipe. I adapted it a little for this.

Chocolate Lime Cupcakes

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1  3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa
• 1  1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1  1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 3 tsp vanilla
• zest of one large lime
• 1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Stir together dry ingredients.
Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Whisk for about 2 mins (or use hand-held beaters or stand mixer).
Mix in lime zest.
Stir in boiling water.
Pour into cupcake liners (I used medium, but you could use mini or large as well).
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until a knife comes out clean.

Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Juice of one lime
• Zest from 3 limes

Put all ingredients into stand mixer and beat until smooth and creamy. You can use hand held beaters too. Put in piping bag with your favourite cupcake tip and pipe on cupcakes.

-Jessica

Christmas cupcakes

Could you be having a week like mine? The kind where you are so busy that every second is scheduled and crammed with things that NEED to get done? Could you also, like me, decide that making cupcakes, just because they're yummy, is a good idea? Then you should be my friend, cuz I like people who think that baking chocolate is always top priority.

I don't have a recipe to share for these ones. I actually never measure my frosting recipe. I know what goes in it of course, and I promise that someday soon I will actually sit and figure out the measurements for the frosting. It is actually really yummy. 

So..... If you want to make some christmasy cupcakes, do what I did:

Step 1. Ignore your responsibilities and children for the morning.

Step 2.  Make your favourite chocolate cupcakes. (double it because cake is yummy, and you should eat more than your fair share)

Step 3. Make your favourite frosting recipe. Add some peppermint extract.

Step 4. Sprinkle sugar crystals and crushed candy canes over the top.

Step 5. Eat several of them before the kids come downstairs and try to eat them.  You are the one who made them, you should benefit from your hard work. You might want to leave them one each... I guess...if you're nicer than I am.

-Leah