Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Cinnamon Bun Tuesday {RECIPE}



When Ryan and I first got our place together, we dubbed Tuesdays "Cinnamon Bun Tuesday" with the intention of baking fresh cinnamon buns for breakfast every Tuesday morning. It might be because I burned my batch or that sleep trumps cinnabuns to me, but either way, the idea was short lived lasting only about 3 weeks before we gave up on it.

So today, I thought I'd surprise Ryan with a nice little treat since it's been awhile. This recipe comes from one of my favorite Chefs at L'Academie de Cuisine. It's a yeast-less dough, so it's quick and easy, but just as fluffy and delicious.

FILLING:
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2t cinnamon
1/8t salt
1/4 cup finely ground pecans
1T melted butter

DOUGH:
2.5 cups all purpose flour
2T sugar
1 1/4t baking powder
1/2t baking soda
1/2t salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
6T melted butter

ICING:
2T cream cheese
2T buttermilk
1 cup 10x

DIRECTIONS:
1. Prepare a 9 in cake pan with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
3. Make the filling by combining all the ingredients using a fork or your hands (my preferred method).
4. Make the dough by whisking the dry ingredients in one mixing bowl and the butter and buttermilk in another. Combine wet ingredients into dry and stir with a wooden spoon until all dry ingredients are absorbed, about 30 seconds.
5. Dump the dough onto a floured work surface and knead gently until the dough becomes smooth. Once smooth, pat the dough into a rectangle thats about 1/2" thick using your hands.
Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough leaving 1/2" border around the edges naked.
Press the topping onto the dough firmly and begin rolling the rectangle into a tight log.
Crimp the seam and turn it so the seam faces down.
Cut into 8 equal pieces and arrange in the prepared cake pan.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and immediately invert the baking pan on to a plate to unmold buns. Let them cool slightly.
7. Prepare the icing by first whisking the cream cheese and buttermilk, then adding the confectioner's sugar and whisk until smooth.
8. Drizzle the icing over the buns and scarf 'em down!!

Of course, being that it's almost February, I just had to add a little bit of Valentine flair and sprinkled some mini hearts over them.

If you haven't taken a class with L'Academie, you are missing out! They offer a wide range of recreational classes from culinary to pastry, beginner to advanced. They even have classes specifically for kids, teens, & couples (which is a nice change up from your typical dinner-and-a-movie date night). Check them out!

Enjoy your Cinnamon Bun Tuesday!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

2013: Let's Do This!

{via}
2012 brought lots of changes for me both personally and professionally, leaving behind many things that were holding me back and causing me lots of stress. One of the biggest changes was taking the plunge and leaving my full time job to pursue my passion for the world of pastry. It was an incredibly ballsy decision for me, but I did it, and I'm so excited for whats ahead.

I don't normally make New Years resolutions because I end up like the rest of the world, giving up about a month in. However, I decided to try something new this year. I'm going to share my goals & resolutions with you in hopes that you will light a fire under my ass and hold me to them. So here goes:

1. RUN 365 MILES
This idea stemmed from one of Ryans friends, whose resolution for 2012 was to run a mile a day. I'm pretty sure he accomplished it but let's be real for a minute. There are just some days that I don't even feel like getting out of bed, let alone going for a run. So to make this resolution a little more realistic for me, my goal is to run a total of 365 miles for the year so that I can treat myself to some of those lazy days. I downloaded the RunKeeper app on my phone to help me keep track. It is now day 15, and I am at 12 miles. I know I am a little behind and I'm not trying to make excuses already, but I was sick for the first few days this year, so cut me some slack.

2. RUN A 5K
This sort of piggy backs to my first resolution. It's been something I've wanted to do for years, but never felt "ready" to. It may not seem like much, but I've already worked my endurance up to 2 miles. So, I'm making progress!! If you have any recommendations for local 5k's, please share!

3. LIVE BEYOND THE PJs & ELASTIC WAISTS
For years I dreamed that I could work in sweats and was stoked that I could when I started working from home. But it hit me about two weeks ago. I looked at myself in the mirror and realized I had really started to let myself go. What started out simply wearing comfy clothes all day, turned into not doing my makeup, throwing my hair in a sloppy ponytail and just overall looking like a hot mess. And I started to feel it on the inside too. So, this resolution is all about making myself feel good inside and out, even if it's just Peanut that gets to enjoy it with me all day. I chopped my hair off last week so I have no choice but to style it, and hopefully with all this running I'm doing, I'll lose a pound or two and treat myself to a new stylish wardrobe! Oh! I finally gave in and bought myself my first pair of skinny jeans!!! Never in a million years did I think I could rock them.

4. TAKE MORE PHOTOS
I envy people that can compose and snap great photos. I want to be like them. Last year I purchased a DSLR thinking that if I had a fancy camera, I'd have fancy photos. WRONG. It's not as easy as it looks, people! I'm definitely spoiled because I have my own personal photographer to photograph my creations but I know I'll never learn unless I just take more photos. So that's what I'm going to do!

5. COOK
People think that just because I can bake means I can cook too. That couldn't be further from the truth because I actually hate cooking. If it were up to me, I'd eat Cheez-Its for every meal. Maybe a little canned tomato soup and grilled cheese if I wanted to get fancy. Feel free to send some delicious and EASY recipes my way if you have any!

6. BLOG MORE
Truth: I delete more posts than I publish because I am rarely happy with my writing and feel like no one is really interested in what I have to say. So, I am going to make a better effort to write, even if it isn't perfect and even if no one actually reads it.

7. LEARN HOW TO MAKE BUBBLE TEA!
Anyone wanna teach me? Anyone? Bueller?

Here's to seeing my resolutions through!
Happy New Year!!!