Strange cravings while on the bike

So this past weekend I was out on my usual 50 something mile ride and had the strangest craving for cinnamon rolls. I could have gone for instant gratification and hit up Cinnabon or Safeway but why do that when homemade is much better. 

(I demolished 2 before a pic was taken)

So after a quick search on Foodgawker, I found a scaled down recipe from the Pioneer Woman. She's awesome. I wish she was my mom or neighbor. Anyways her recipe made a ridiculous amount. Yes I really wanted cinnamon rolls but not that much. Fortunately I found another site that reduced it down to a reasonable amount.

Cinnamon Rolls

1 1/3c milk (I'm not sure if skim would work)

1/3c vegetable oil (I used olive oil)

1/3c sugar

1 1/2t yeast

2 2/3c flour + 1/3c

1/2t baking powder

1/3t baking soda

1t salt

100g butter, melted (don't have to use it all, but go for it if you must!)

1/2c brown sugar

Cinnamon powder

(nuts optional)

1. Mix milk, vegetable oil, and sugar in pot

2. Scald mixture (heat till it is just about to boil), turn off, remove from burner and let cool. 

3. When luke warm (when you can stick your finger for over 10 seconds) add in yeast. Must be warm and not hot or you'll kill the yeast. 

4. Add 2 2/3c four, mix and rise for an hour. If you have a mixer, use it. If not, eat some spinach and give your forearms a workout. 

5. Add in 1/3c flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and stir. Dough will be sticky, so you could put it in the fridge for an hour/day to firm up or use it instantly.

6. Sprinkle a clean surface generously with flour. No shame now. Form a rectangle with the dough. Then roll it out thin, maybe a 1/4" or so. 

7. Drizzle the melted butter over the dough (too much and you'll have a real mess to clean). Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over the butter. 

8. Starting at the opposite end, begin rolling the dough in a neat line toward you. Keep the roll tight as you roll. Once done rolling, pinch ends to seal it, 

9. Cut the roll about an 1" thick and place then in a greased baking pan/dish. Leave a little space to allow them to rise. 

10. Pre-heat oven at 375deg. 

10. Let rolls rise for 30min or until they look like they have gotten bigger. Once they look bigger, bake at 375deg until light golden brown, 20-25min depending on your oven. 

Enjoy. 

*I opted out of frosting for the following reasons 1) I'm a purist. I don't want to taste powdered sugar or some other kinda frosting. 2) In my mind, it already has a lot of sugar 3) I'm too lazy and it would only make more dishes.

**I thought I'd throw this out, if you think you can keep up or are faster than me in biking, can wake up super early and be on time. You're welcomed to join me on my long rides. Just email me about the details.

Posted in: Biking, Cinnamon rolls, Pioneer Woman, Recipes