Monday, June 11, 2012

Perfect Cinnamon Rolls

1 1/2 tablespoons Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup warm water 115 degrees F.
8 tablespoons (1stick) unsalted melted butter
3/4 cup warmed whole milk or heavy cream 115 degrees F.
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
4 cups Gold Medal all purpose flour plus more for dusting counters
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Cinnamon/Sugar Layer
8 tablespoons (1stick) unsalted softened butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons softened unsalted butter (for buttering pan)
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (for sprinkling over buttered pan)
Frosting
8 ounces softened cream cheese
8 tablespoons (1 stick) softened unsalted butter
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1. Place yeast and sugar into stand mixer then add warm water and gently stir. Let sit until yeast has doubled, about 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, mix melted butter and warm milk. Add butter and milk mixture to yeast mixture with the dough hook attachment on low speed then add sugar and egg mixing until combined. In a large bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Add 2 cups of flour mixture to the mixer at a time scraping sides of bowl, continuing to add remaining flour until the dough starts to clean sides of mixing bowl. Kneed dough on low speed for 7 minutes. Place dough onto a floured counter and kneed dough until it does not stick to your hands. Place dough into a large bowl that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a barely warm oven for 45-60 minutes, until dough doubles in size.
2. Remove dough from bowl and place onto a floured counter top. With a floured rolling pin, roll dough into an approximate 14×19 inch rectangle, about 1/4 inch in thickness. Spread softened butter over entire surface of dough. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the brown sugar, sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over buttered dough. Starting at long end of dough, carefully roll into a log shape. Using dental floss or knife, cut rolls into 1 1/2 inch pieces.
3. Take 4 tablespoons softened butter and spread over 13×17 inch jelly roll pan lined with a silpat liner or parchment paper then sprinkle with brown sugar. Place 4 rolls per row close to each other, about 1/2 inch apart. Place into a barely warm oven (turn oven to warm for 5 minutes, then turn off right before placing rolls in oven to let rise) for 45-60 minutes or until rolls have doubled in size. Remove rolls from oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake rolls for 15-17 minutes or until rolls are golden brown and baked through. Set aside to cool slightly.
4. Place cream cheese and butter into your clean stand mixer bowl and beat until smooth and combined. Slowly add powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved. I prefer 2-3 cups. Spread cream cheese frosting over warm rolls. Serve warm or let cool and enjoy room temperature. If serving the next day refrigerate then warm in the microwave individual rolls for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.
Makes about 18 rolls

The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip Ever

Added by Ree on June 10, 2012 in Appetizers, Warm Dips
Prep Time
Cook Time
Servings 16 Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons Butter
  • 4 Tablespoons Garlic, Minced
  • 1 bag Spinach
  • Salt And Pepper, to taste
  • 2 cans Artichoke Hearts, Rinsed And Drained
  • 3 Tablespoons Butter (additional)
  • 3 Tablespoons Flour
  • 1-½ cup Whole Milk (more If Needed)
  • 1 package (8 Ounce) Softened Cream Cheese
  • ½ cups Crumbled Feta
  • ½ cups Grated Parmesan
  • ¾ cups Grated Pepper Jack Cheese
  • ¼ teaspoons Cayenne
  • Extra Grated Pepper Jack
  • Pita Wedges, Tortilla Chips, Crackers

Preparation Instructions

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for a couple of minutes. Crank up the heat a bit and throw in the spinach. Stir around and cook for a couple of minutes until the spinach wilts. Remove the spinach from the skillet and put it in a small strainer. Squeeze the excess juice back into the skillet. Set the spinach aside.
Throw in the artichokes and cook over medium high heat for several minutes, until liquid is cooked off and artichokes start to get a little color. Remove the artichokes.
In the same skillet or a different pot, melt 3 additional tablespoons of butter and whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour until it makes a paste. Cook over medium-low heat for a minute or two, then pour in milk. Stir and cook until slightly thickened; splash in more milk if needed.
Add cream cheese, feta, Parmesan, pepper jack, and cayenne and stir until cheese are melted and sauce is smooth. Chop artichokes and spinach and add to the sauce. Stir to combine.
Pour into buttered baking dish. Top with extra grated pepper jack and bake at 375 for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve with pita wedges, chips, or crackers!

Cornmeal Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate Buttermilk Frosting

Added by Kelly @ Evil Shenanigans on May 17, 2011 in Cakes, Desserts
Prep Time
Cook Time
Servings 10 Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • FOR THE CAKE:
  • 1-¾ cup All-purpose Flour
  • ⅓ cups Yellow Cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ½ teaspoons Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoons Salt
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • ½ cups Packed Light Brown Sugar
  • 8 Tablespoons Butter, Melted
  • 1 cup Buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  • 4 whole Eggs At Room Temperature
  • _____
  • FOR THE FROSTING:
  • 4 ounces, weight Semi Sweet Chocolate Melted
  • 2 sticks Butter, At Room Temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla
  • ¼ cups Cocoa Powder
  • 5 cups Powdered Sugar
  • ⅓ cups Buttermilk

Preparation Instructions

Heat the oven to 350ºF and spray two 8-inch pans with non-stick cooking spray.
In a large bowl sift together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and brown sugar. In a medium bowl whisk together the butter, buttermilk, vanilla, and eggs until well-combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until there are no large lumps of flour remaining. A few small lumps are fine. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cake pulls away from the side of the pan and springs back when gently pressed in the center. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl cream together the melted chocolate and butter until smooth and creamy.
Add in the vanilla, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar and begin mixing. Slowly add in the buttermilk until the frosting reaches your desired spreading consistency. If the frosting is stiff, feel free to add a few more drops of buttermilk.
Once the cake is cool, frost and decorate as desired.
Enjoy!