Cinnamon Bread or Rolls
Cinnamon Bread and Rolls are so good! They are even better when they are homemade. The base bread recipe is the same as the Light and Fluffy Homemade Bread, and it can turn into many different things.
The Bread
- 2/3 Cup Oil
- 2/3 Cup Honey
- 5 Cups HOT Water
- 2 Tbls Dry Yeast (2 Packets)
- About 10 Cups Flour
- 2 Tbls Salt
Directions:
- Combine the first 4 ingredients in order listed – sprinkling the yeast on top of the water.
- Allow to sit – covered for a few minutes.
- Add next 3 ingredients (about 5 cups flour, dough enhancer, and salt on top of the flour), and mix together well. In a Bosch allow to mix for 3-4 minutes. If by hand and a spoon, mix until it has a nice gluten stickyness about it (8-10 minutes). . If using whole wheat flour, allow to sit for several minutes before adding any additional flour.
- Slowly add more flour ½ cup at a time, mixing well between each addition. Total flour should be approximately 10 cups if using white flour, and less if using some or all whole wheat flour. The appropriate consistency will be when the dough “cleans the sides” of the bowl, has an elastic consistency, and a silky appearance.
- Use Crisco on your hands, and your working surface, lightly sprinkle about a half cup flour over working surface before dumping out.
- Divide dough into fourth, each fourth will become a pan of cinnamon rolls or a loaf of bread
- Roll out first set until about 1/2 inch thick.
Now comes the filling, it’s super easy, and super yummy.
The Bread
- 2/3 Cup Oil
- 2/3 Cup Honey
- 5 Cups HOT Water
- 2 Tbls Dry Yeast (2 Packets)
- About 10 Cups Flour
- 2 Tbls Salt
Filling it up:
- First spread a thin layer of apple sauce over your dough. It doesn’t need to be much, just enough for the Brown Sugar and cinnamon to stick. Otherwise it will make a mess all over (Don’t worry, you will still have enough filling)
- Sprinkle a generous layer of Brown Sugar over the Applesauce
- Sprinkle a generous layer of Cinnamon over the Brown Sugar
- Roll up.
- For Cinnamon Rolls, cut with a string or unflavored dental floss and place on greased cookie sheet and press flat with palm of hand.
- For Cinnamon Bread, Place roll in greased bread pan.
- Cover with cloth to keep warm.
- Let Rise until Doubled
- Bake at 350˚
- Cinnamon Rolls for 10-12 minutes
- Cinnamon Bread for about 30 Minutes.
The Glaze
- 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 3-4 Tbls Hot Water
- 1 tsp Butter
Beat with a mixer until the right consistency and frost while hot.
Lion House Chocolate Cake
Once you try this kind of cake, you will never go back. Ever. Now that you’ve been warned, you should also know that this cake is super easy, but comes out extra moist, and tasting delicious. For as long as I can remember this has been my Dad’s favorite cake, for good reason. I prefer it as Bundt Cake, but it works well in any form – including Cupcakes!
Ingredients
- 1 Pkg Chocolate Cake Mix
- 1 Pkg (3 oz) Instant Chocolate Pudding
- 1/4 Cup Flour
- 2 Cups Milk
- 3 Egg Whites, Beaten Stiff
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375˚
- Combine Cake Mix, Pudding, Flour, and Milk. Mix it well – the batter will turn a slightly lighter color.
- In a separate bowl, beat the Egg Whites until stiff
- Gently fold Egg whites in right before putting in the oven. (Don’t mix it too much! you want the egg whites to stay fluffy. )
- Pour into a well greased and floured bundt pan.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes
Serve with ice cream, or whipped cream. I also like to drizzle a Cream Cheese frosting over the top.
*This recipe can be modified to different types of cake. Start with the type of cake mix that you want, and add a pudding that corresponds with it. Example, for a White Cake, use a White cake mix and Vanilla Pudding.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 Pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese
- About 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 3 Tbls Milk (depends on how thick you want it)
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 1 tsp Almond flavoring
Mix all together well. You may need to adjust the Powdered Sugar and Milk depending on your taste and consistency preferences. If adding food coloring, add less milk
Almond Poppy Seed Cake
My notes say that my Mom got this recipe from a friend in Sandy, Utah. Usually when people think about Poppy Seed cakes or muffins, they think add lemon to it. This version is so much better! They kinda taste like the Poppy Seed Muffins from Costco, but more moist and in cake form. I had a roommate at one point that went on a no sugar diet, but she would always make an exception when I made this. We make it in a Bundt cake pan, and serve it for parties, large group refreshments, I’ve made it for a few weddings, potlucks, and more. It really is good for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cups Milk
- 1 1/2 Cups Cooking Oil
- 3 Cups Flour
- 2 1/3 Cups Sugar
- 3 Eggs
- 1 1/2 Tbls Poppy Seeds
- 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla
- 1 1/2 tsp Butter Flavoring
- 1 1/2 tsp Almond Flavoring (if you add a little extra it's totally ok)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325˚
- Combine flour, sugar, cooking oil, milk and eggs, and mix well.
- Add poppy seeds, vanilla, butter flavoring, and almond flavoring, salt and baking powder. Mix well.
- Pour into a well greased and floured bundt pan.
- Bake at 325˚ for 45-60 minutes until top cracks are just moist, not raw.
- Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, and then invert onto a serving plate and leave pan on top to trap moisture and keep cake moist until ready to serve.
Optional toppings include orange glaze below, or our favorite is just a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.
Serve with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream.
Optional Orange Glaze
- 1/4 Cup Orange Juice
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
Mix these together, and drizzle over the top.
Brownie Cookies
This is perhaps the easiest cookie in the world, and they are super good. I had a roommate that would celebrate when I made these. I’ve mixed up the recipe before, and they still tasted good, just had a different consistency. These are great for parties, late night snacks, group refreshments, or just a craving for chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1 Pkg. Brownie Mix
- 1/4 Cup Flour
- 1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 3 Tbls Water
- 2 Eggs
- 1 Cup Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips, Butterscotch Chips, or M&M's (all are optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350
- Combine all ingredients, mixing by hand (or rather with a spoon, obviously, just don’t try to use some sort of mixer for these, it will ruin the texture).
- Don’t over mix
- Bake until just set. Takes about 9-10 minutes.
When I make these, I don’t put any of the chips in, they are just as good without them. To add to the decoration, sprinkle some powdered sugar over the top.
Nestle Toll House M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is the cookie my family is known for. We keep telling everyone it is just the recipe off the back of the chocolate chip bag, but no one believes us. So I will try to add some additional tips that might help. These really are the best cookies out there. Just saying. The best part is they are great for any time of the year!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Butter, Softened
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
- 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 2 Eggs
- 2 1/4 Cup Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 1/2 Cups M&M's
- 1 Cup Chopped Nuts (Optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375’.
- In large bowl combine *butter, sugar, brown sugar, & vanilla. Beat until creamy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Add 1 1/2 cup flour and the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix Well
- Mix in the rest of the flour 1/2 cup at a time. You want the cookie dough to clean the sides of the bowl, and then add another little bit of flour.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips, M&M’s and nuts.
- Drop onto ungreased cookie sheets.
- Bake 9-11 minutes.
*This is important, Don’t Microwave The Butter! A big part of what makes these cookies different is the texture, and part of what makes the texture is the butter. Don’t skimp and go for the cheap brand because it always turns out different, and don’t microwave it because it changes the consistency of the cookie. I don’t know how or why, I just know it’s true.
Pizza Pockets
These Pizza Pockets are great for a easy, snack, appetizer, potluck item, or no mess meal. They can turn out to be whatever size you want them, but be warned, they do rise while cooking! These fun Pizza Pockets can also be made with pre-made biscuit dough if you don’t have time to make the crust.
The Crust
- 1 1/2 Cup Warn water
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 2 Tbls Yeast
- 4 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
Directions:
- In large bowl, Combine Warm Water, Brown Sugar, Olive Oil, and Yeast.
- Let sit for about 5 minutes.
- Add in 2 1/2 c. Flour and Salt and mix well.
- Kneed in the last 2 cups until right consistency.
The Pocket:
- Pull dough into small balls, and then flatten. Add in your favorite ingredients. If you add the sauce, make sure it is just a little bit so it doesn’t become too messy to eat. When you have all your ingredients, roll it up into a ball.
- Brush the top with oil and your desired seasoning (I use a little bit of Garlic Salt mixed in the oil, and then sprinkle the top with Italian Seasoning.)
- Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until Golden Brown.
Light and Fluffy Homemade Bread
I have fond memories of coming home to fresh baked loaves of homemade bread on the counter. It always smelled so good, and tasted even better! I have a lot of siblings, with 5 brothers mixed in, growing up we would all help with dinner preparations, and one of our favorite treats was bread or rolls. We have a few different favorite recipes, all of which are interchangeable to some degree, but this is the best one for bread! Occasionally, I would try to make it without my Mom, and my brothers would all through a fit and say that was the one thing I couldn’t do without her. I have had many lessons from her since, and have gotten better, and you should be able to follow these directions as well.
Ingredients
- 2/3 Cup Oil
- 2/3 Cup Honey
- 5 Cup HOT Water
- 2 Tbls (2 Packets) Dry Yeast
- About 10 cups Flour
- 1/4 Cup Dough Enhancer
- 2 Tbls Salt
Directions:
- Combine the first 4 ingredients in order listed – sprinkling the yeast on top of the water.
- Allow to sit – covered for a few minutes.
- Add next 3 ingredients (about 5 cups flour, dough enhancer, and salt on top of the flour), and mix together well. In a Bosch allow to mix for 3-4 minutes. If by hand and a spoon, mix until it has a nice gluten stickyness about it (8-10 minutes). . If using whole wheat flour, allow to sit for several minutes before adding any additional flour.
- Slowly add more flour ½ cup at a time, mixing well between each addition. Total flour should be approximately 10 cups if using white flour, and less if using some or all whole wheat flour. The appropriate consistency will be when the dough “cleans the sides” of the bowl, has an elastic consistency, and a silky appearance.
- Using Crisco on your hands, and your working surface, dump out, and divide into fourths. Place in greased pans, tucking dough under to form a smooth top loaf.
- Cover away from drafts. Allow to rise until top of loaf is at the top of the pan (approximately 1 hour).
- Turn on oven to 350˚, and put the bread into the warming oven if not already rising there. This will further the rising process while the oven preheats.
- Bake bread at 350˚ for approximately 30 minutes. To check doneness, dump one loaf out onto flour sack towel, and touch bottom of loaf. It wants to be crusty and solid. If not sufficiently done, replace in pan, and return to oven.
- We like our bread not too hard on the outside, and so I allow the bread to cool on the flour sack towel for a few (3-5) minutes, and then I put it into the plastic bags to soften the crusts. Be careful not to close the bags really tight, or the center of your loaves will retain too much moisture, and be doughy when you cut into the loaf.
Homemade Pizza
I used to make pizza every week to share with friends at college. My first semester, I had a roommate that would cook with me often. Once we invited one of our guy friends over, and it spread to a big group of people. All of the sudden everyone was asking when they would be invited over. The trick to pizza is making it your own. I’ll leave that to you, but there are some key components that I can help with.
The Crust:
If you don’t have a good base, it doesn’t matter what the rest of it tastes like. This is a super simple recipe that is really hard to mess up. This one is a little more dense, but if you want something lighter, I have also used my Homemade Bread recipe as well.
The Crust
- 1 1/2 Cup Warm Water
- 2 tsp. Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 2 Tbls Yeast
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 1/2 Cup Flour
Directions:
- Combine the Water, Brown Sugar, and Olive Oil in bowl. Sprinkle the Yeast over the top and cover for about 5 minutes. TIP: Even if you double the recipe, don’t double the Yeast!
- Add 3 cups flour and sprinkle the salt over the top. Mix well until silky. Gradually add flour half cup at a time until the dough sticks together, but is still soft and silky.
- Each batch makes one large cookie sheet size pizza either round or square.
The Sauce:
It’s hard to give directions for the sauce because it always comes out different. I usually start with some sort of pasta sauce (usually a can of Hunts Pasta Sauce of whatever flavor I am feeling like that day). Then I add a couple of spices to enhance the taste.
I have a couple of spices that are staples in my kitchen. These include:
Suggested Spices
- Garlic Salt
- Salt
- Italian Seasoning
- Onion Powder
- Tony's Chachere Seasoning (My personal favorite, but use sparingly)
Directions:
- The trick is to in the touch, and lots of taste testing along the way.
- If your sauce doesn’t start with garlic in it, put more of the garlic salt or garlic powder in, then italian seasoning and onion powder.
- Taste and add Salt if it still tastes like it needs something more.
The Pizza:
Like I said, pizza is about making it yours. Obviously the classics are Mozzarella cheese, Pepperoni, Green Peppers, Olives, or Sausage. My family adds Grated Carrots on top, which adds texture, but also a unique taste that although people are hesitant to try end up really liking it. Then of course there is the Hawiian flavors of Pineapple and Ham. Really the possibilities on this one are endless. Once you have decided, put it in the oven at 350 for about 30 minutes.