BAKE 15 – MAY 21, 2020

Yeast utilized: 1 1/4 teaspoon

Two friends have birthdays this week, so I wanted to make something cupcake-shaped in their honor. Especially since one friend was getting a video with a singing of “Happy Birthday.” For some reason, I decided upon cinnamon roll muffins.

Today was my every-two-weeks visit to the grocery store, so I had a restock of milk and other supplies. Going to the store is quite stressful these days (despite my gorgeous mask given to me by my friend Zen), so I needed a bit of baking.

The dough was pretty standard at this point (am I getting the hang of this…?)

It didn’t rise much, but the recipe only called for a 30-minute rest. Also, the weather took a turn for the cool, so my kitchen wasn’t very warm. While this proofed, I made the cinnamon and sugar mix. A lot of it.

A bowl of delicious.

This was the first time a recipe required me to roll out my dough! I do not, however, own a rolling pin, so I had to improvise.

I drink alcohol, like, twice a year, so this Redd’s is probably two years old. Tasted okay, though.

That worked! I was actually kinda jazzed about that, and I got it to the shape and size I needed. I then needed to spread butter across it. I figured a spatula would tear the dough, so I chose apply the butter by hand. It was so calming. Like fingerpainting. This finally was when I felt some of the morning’s stress melt away.

…though, that might have been the hard cider, now that I think about it.

Look at that. Edge to edge. I also have a new under-cabinet light.

Next, the cinnamon and sugar mixture was to be spread over the butter.

That is so much sugar. Woah.

This was also the first recipe that asked me to roll up my dough. My Great British Baking Show knowledge came in handy again. Or mainly, I just kept remembering all the people who ripped their dough. I did not. I also didn’t take any pictures because I was covered in butter and sugar (arguably my ideal state).

After rolling the dough, I then had to cut it into twelve 1-inch pieces. …I ended up with thirteen. I guess to make up for the eleven Conchas I had. I just can’t get the measuring right.

Look at that sad bastard back there.

Cheers to the second rise of the Baker’s Dozen.

I baked all thirteen. That little guy just got a plate to itself.

Plate from the same dishware line as my ill-fated “French Oven“.

These baked quickly! And not bad!

Beautiful nautilus.

Now, you may note the original recipe called for icing made from powdered sugar. That was one ingredient I neglected to get from the store. So, instead, I looked for icing made without powdered sugar.

Pictured: Step one. I photographed none of the other steps.

Suffice to say, my icing never ended up looking like the recipe photos. But it’s sugar, butter, and milk, so it tasted fantastic anyway. Just looked horrendous. Like sweet slime.

All in all, though, these were a success!

Happy birthday, Jenny and Cindi!

(I accidentally bought the candles that keep relighting and almost set myself on fire.)

To the next bake—–>