Daring Bakers September Challenge : Cinnamon Buns
September 30, 2007 at 12:00 AM
by Ashleigh
A few months ago Karen from Bake My Day joined the Daring Bakers and I watched, awed and speechless as she created wonderful item after wonderful item.
Some of them were spectacular, like the strawberry mirror cake.
Others just seemed a whole heap of fun, like her bagels.
I asked if I could have an introduction and this is my first month as a Daring Baker.
Good thing too, because the baking bug has definitely left this building.
I've been on such a strict weight loss regime that unless food comes to me disguised as a vegetable I have no inclination to do anything with it.
Cue the Daring Bakers. Cue my family's sighs of relief. Cue Brad's colleagues giving sighs of relief too.
Baked goods again!
This month's challenge was Peter Reinhardt's Cinnamon Buns or Sticky Buns hosted by Pip in the City.
I could have made either recipe, but being a sucker for cinnamon buns I chose to make them twice (plus the cinnamon ones are lower calorie, but let's not go there).
The first time I made them I followed the recipe exactly except that I wasn't sure about whether my yeast was good or not, so I proved the yeast with the water and a teaspoon of the sugar.
I also needed to use a whole lot more flour than the recipe called for. My processor stalled twice while I was making the first batch because the mixture was so moist. I ended up adding a full cup of flour extra.
The dough took a very long time to rise.
I ended up leaving it overnight, and then shaped the buns the next morning.
This first run was useful as a trial too, because I started rolling from the short side of the rolled out rectangle. Which would have made about four very fat buns. I had to do some maneouvering to get them to squish out a bit. I got 12 large buns in my first round, around 85g each (baked weight).
The lemon gave them a wonderful flavour and the texture was excellent.
The second time I tried them you would think I would have had the sense to reduce the quantity of water, but nooooo, doofus here. I ended up having to add another cup of flour to the second batch too, but this time I did it early enough that my machine didn't stall. I don't know why the recipe says to knead for 15 minutes. I only ever knead for five minutes or so at the max, or until the dough is silky. I think when you make enough bread you start to recognise that 'silky' stage and then you can turn the machine off.
I added the yeast with the dry ingredients this time and it made little difference to the rising time, but if I'd done the first ones by adding the yeast with the dry ingredients I would have worried that the yeast wouldn't proof.
So I'm glad I did it the old fashioned way first.
The shaping of the buns is pretty simple. I place them closely on the baking sheet so that they join together. I like the soft sides where they tear apart.
The second time I made them a bit smaller and ended up with 20 small buns, and I left hubby to take them out of the oven while I took the boys to school. As a result they overbrowned a bit which is why I have no photos!
The fondant icing was gorgeous and I'll definitely be using it again. Wonderfully simple, yet very tasty.
Things I like from this recipe:
- Add lemon to the dough
- Use milk powder and water instead of having to warm up milk - far easier!
- The milk based fondant icing.
All in all the recipe was a success, but I prefer my normal cinnamon bun recipe.
Old dogs and new tricks, etc etc.
I really enjoyed my first Daring Baker challenge and I'm looking forward to many many more!
Thanks girls for letting me join!
Comments
I´m glad you enjoyed making the recipe and your family got a break from diet food ;) See you next month.
Great job! And dont worry about the calories. They dont count in challenges! xo
Yay! I'm so glad you liked your first challenge! Sounds like a little sweet was just in the nick of time, eh? =)
Fantastic job.. can't wait to read about your next challenge!
xoxo
Ash, you do find the most interesting stuff to do. There's no way I'd dare to enter a baking challenge. I finally feel comfortable making my own bread, etc. but I don't think I'd really dare take on a real challenge!
Can I just echo Barbara?
Good to see you pick up the things you enjoy so much though! Do you have to follow all their recipies or can you change them slightly so you can eat them yourself?
I liked the lemon in them too.
Welcome to the Daring Bakers! Congratulations on your first challenge
Congratulations on your first DB challenge!!!
You did a great job, congratulations on your first challenge! :)
great job :)
So happy to see you've joined us!
I also really liked the lemon.
I do think a once a month challenge like this can be managed with weight loss! All my best on that one.
Welcome to the Daring Bakers! Great job on your first challenge. Like you, I liked the lemon in the dough the best!
Great job on your first challenge!
Congratulations on your first completed challenge!
Hi there and welcome! Congrats on your first challenge!
This one is an eye-opener for me, everyone was adding flour big time. So I am beginning to think it's not just me with P.Reinhart recipes. Yay for DB's!
I like Laurie's comment that calories don't count during the DB challenges! :-) I had to add a bit more flour to mine as well, becasue silly me added ALL of the milk at once, in my over enthusiasm! But all ended well. :-) I'm glad you enjoyed them too!
Welcome to the DB! I like the soft sides when they bake up together too.
Great job on your first challenge! I really liked the fondant as well, even if many others found it really sweet.
Welcome! Glad you enjoyed the challenge :)
Sounds like you passed your first challenge with flying colors. Welcome to the Daring Bakers!
Congratulations on your first challenge! I'm doing my first challenge this month! I've been on a strict weight-loss regime, too. When I want to try a dessert recipe, I throw a party so I get a taste of the recipe and can give the rest away. It's worked well for me! Good luck with your goals, too!
Well done you!! Far more daring than I'll ever be...
Welcome, and congratulations on your first challenge! I'm glad you asked for an introduction and joined us!
September 30, 2007 3:03 AM