saturday morning cinnamon rolls

As I shared on Instagram this Saturday, I spent a good part of Saturday morning baking a batch of cinnamon rolls for us to enjoy.

I rarely make cinnamon rolls, even though they are one of my most favorite things to eat. One of the reasons I don't make them often is because they are time consuming - but you know what they say, good things come to those who wait. And it was Saturday, after all. The other reason is that there's nothing worse than putting all the work in, and not getting the results you hoped for. On more than one occasion I've been disappointed with my results - too dry, not enough cinnamon flavor... But, I've also learned from each of those flops.

I found this recipe on Pinterest, originally from here. I was really pleased with the results. They were very much as described - soft and fluffy, and I will definitely be making them again!

Click the link above for the recipe. The recipe made one dozen nice sized cinnamon rolls that fit perfectly in this 12 x 13 dish. Here are a few notes I made that really made the difference for me:

*1 - Really do just add the 3 cups of flour, and then one tablespoon at a time. A perfectly smooth ball of dough isn't desirable - it should still be smooth, but sticking to the bottom of the bowl.

*2 - Don't rush the rise times. Let them get nice and fluffy.

*3 - The addition of a little cornstarch to the filling keeps it from all running out to the bottom of the pan.

*4 - Lots of cinnamon. If you're going to have a cinnamon roll, it better be chocked full of cinnamon flavor!

*5 - Start checking them at 20 minutes. Mine were done at 24 minutes, and were perfectly soft.

Give them a try this weekend! You won't be disappointed. Just don't expect them to last long.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I had a lovely day yesterday. There were no afternoon classes so Willen spent the day at home. We had breakfast and snuggled and read and played and finished celebrating the day with a movie night. Ryan has been down and out for the past couple days so a quiet night in was perfect.

I was spoiled with a beautiful bouquet of Ranunculus from Ryan, and Willen, oh my... He makes me so happy. (Sometimes a bit insane, but I really do just love him so much!)

First, earlier this week, he came home with a handmade ornament that he spent days making during his "jobs" time at school. He was getting quite tired of painting puzzle pieces and I really had no idea what he was talking about half the time. But the finished product was so adorable.

Then came my Valentine's gift, which I received on Thursday when he came home from school. He was excited and wanted me to have it so I could actually wear it on Valentine's Day. He had made a beaded necklace in reds and pinks, (practicing their work on patterns) and a card that said "I like you." 

I'm glad he "likes" me...

Of course he was too cool to really show any emotion about most of what he made when he first showed me, but when I put them on display, and especially when I proudly wore his necklace around, he couldn't help but smile proudly.

One of my most favourite parts of him going to school are all of the beautiful pieces of art he brings home. They're something that I will cherish for many, many years to come.

Isn't this just the happiest bunch of flowers?

I got up early the morning of and made cinnamon rolls. Warm cinnamon rolls for breakfast never happens as they just require to much time. But it was a special breakfast. And, I discovered I could roll them out and put them in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you simply set them out for an hour until they reach room temperature before letting them rise, and then baking them. It was worth the extra effort.

Willen and I also made some dark chocolate bark with pretzels, pecans and salted caramel for candy grams for his teachers.

I have the most beautiful Valentine's in the world.