Cinnamon Rolls - Comfort Food Compliments of the Daring Bakers

  I can't be too busy. It stresses me out. I need a certain amount of home time to putter about, bake and regroup. But life doesn't always share my affection for doing nothing and work forces me out into the world. Last weekend was our semi-annual trade show. Three long "fun" filled days that begin with pallet jacks and lugging boxes and conclude with high heels and schmoozing clients. I work in the hair industry so this is a wonderful opportunity for people watching, as there is something about a hair show that combines the freaky, the unusually dressed and the people who apparently don't own mirrors into one venue. As I drug myself home late Sunday evening, I imagined my Monday, a day that would be spent sleeping late, hanging with Lovie and indulging in September's Daring Bakers Challenge - Cinnamon Rolls/Sticky Buns. Comfort food. Just the thing to rejuvenate my lagging spirit and tired body.

I poured a steaming, spicy cup of Chai Tea and put in a Mozart CD. There is something about kneading bread dough to classical music that makes me feel wholly in the moment - I can hardly think of a better  way to spend the afternoon. This was good because I was feeling a little fuzzy - not quite firing on all cylinders. I set out my first round Mise-en-place, and started the dough. Easy enough - it is a lovely consistency, sweet, soft, satiny and firm, a joy to work with. As I set the dough to rise, I contemplated my plan of attack. The recipe has both a Cinnamon roll and a Sticky Bun variation - I was going to take on the Sticky Buns. I don't usually like Sticky Buns, they always seem blah and tasteless, like someone just dumped something sweet over dough that always seems too dry and stuck a few raisins to it like flies. But I'm always up for trying something new - maybe this would be the recipe that would change my mind forever about Sticky Buns. Plus, it has a Caramel layer - a challenge! Just what I need on this day after the Fall show when I can't quite even remember my name.

Have you ever heard that the first lesson of cooking is that you are supposed to read all the way through the recipe before you get started? In the future when I am starting a new recipe, I think I shall actually do this, because when I got to the part of the recipe where the Caramel layer is made, it called for corn syrup. Guess what is not in my baking cabinet? The recipe did allow for the use of cane or gold syrup in place of the corn syrup, but since I appeared to be missing this very basic cooking ingredient, what are the odds that I was going to find a forgotten bottle of cane syrup in the recesses of my cupboard? Not to mention the raisins. I have a five year old - aren't raisins mandatory eating for five year olds? Apparently not in my kitchen. I did locate 6 petrified figs from last Christmas that I was going to use to make Sugarplums, but decided that they were not going to work as a substitution. So I guess I was going to make Cinnamon Rolls instead, which is really no problem, since I and everyone else here loves them. I rolled them up, set them to rise, popped them in the oven and reveled in the delicious aroma of cinnamon and bread that was filling my kitchen.

As I iced the rolls, I thought about how lucky I was to be baking Cinnamon Rolls, they really are the most perfect comfort food, but I really will have to try Sticky Buns one of these days. As I licked the last bits of icing out of the pan, I wondered what the next challenge would be. I can hardly wait!

Be sure to check out all of the Daring Bakers Cinnamon Roll/Sticky Bun creations at the many wonderful and daring baking blogs listed in the blogroll on the sidebar. You will amazed at how different each of rolls turns out - all delicious and mouth watering and unique in their own way.         

Comments

[rebecca]

you did such a lovely job with these! too bad about the sticky buns this time around, but i agree-- you can't go wrong with cinnamon rolls. yours look absolutely delicious.

[Jenny]

I never have the most basic ingredients when I count on them being there - I'm often running out of flour or sugar. Hmm.... I wonder why. :)

[Laurie]

Sounds just like me! I have the best laid plan in my mind, then Im in the thick of it and realize, I HAVE NO HEAVY CREAM! Its half and half or whole milk. Or that I ran out of niller and didnt replenish.

Your cinnamon rolls look divine and I agree, they are a wonderful comfort food. Great job!

[peabody]

It is always amazing how different each one of them makes them
Great job on your buns.

[Anh]

I love the way you bake. I too put on music when I cook or bake. Depending on my mood, it can be classical or even hard rock.. When rock is on, I am a different woman ;)

[Dharm]

Nicely done! I almost messed up on the ingredients for the Cinnamon buns but luckily found that I had everything! The buns were really delicious too! Its raining here now - wouldnt it be lovely to have one of your cinnamon buns.....

[Marce]

The buns look wonderful. Congrats on a challenge well done! And do try the sticky buns, they are awesome, with or without dried fruit.

[Pille]

I agree - cinnamon rolls are a perfect comfort food. I hadn't tried sticky buns before, but quite liked them. However, as they're really-really rich, I must be in dire need of comfort to make them again:)

[steph (whisk/spoon)]

nice cinnamon rolls and such organized mise en place! definitely do try the sticky buns sometime, they were great!

[Andrea]

Your story sounds so much like one I would write! I keep my pantry well-stocked, but I always seem to be out of something basic just when I need it. Lovely buns, by the way!

[breadchick]

OH MAN! I hate working trade shows...

Great job on your buns! They look great and are the perfect comfort food.

[Deborah]

I can't tell you how many times I have realized that I don't have all of the ingredients half way through the recipe. Your cinnamon buns turned out wonderful, although you really should try the sticky buns some time as well!

[maria~]

Nice job, dear!

[Dolores]

Music just transforms the whole baking experience, doesn't it? Beautiful buns!

[Ivonne]

Glad that you found time to bake. There's nothing like it for de-stressing! Your buns are gorgeous!

[Aoife]

Your cinnamon roll looks great, but I definitely encourage you to try the sticky buns when you get some more raisins. I'm glad you got an opportunity to relax as you baked!

[Lisa]

Beautiful cinnamon buns, Chelsea! But I can't help to say that once you do get the ingredients for the sticky buns - you must try! hehe

Beautiful post!

xoxo

[Jen]

I can relate to having a calm environment for baking. I love quiet time to bake up goodies. Your buns look awesome!

[Baking Soda]

Kneading dough is such a stress reliever! Classical music, kneading..we don't need therapy! Well done

[Tanna]

Ha ha Let's see how many years have I been baking/cooking: read the recipe through! Even when I do read it through, the part my eyes always seem to miss is something absolutely critical ingredient or timing wise. Let me know if you do the same thing in two months.
The buns look like they were heaven. I do highly recommend the stickies - I don't usually go for them but these are GOOD.

[Term papers]

This was good because you was feeling a little fuzzy not quite firing on all cylinders. you set out your first round Mise-en-place, and started the dough. Easy enough it is a lovely consistency, sweet, soft, satiny and firm, a joy to work with.