Saturday baking

My Saturday was rather slow to start off with, but as the day wore on, I got motivated to do some long overdue baking.

In other words, I was struck with a sudden case of temporary insanity.

I love to bake. I do. The only things I don’t love about baking would be the amount of dishes it creates and the amount of time that it takes me. So when I realized I had the entire afternoon with nothing planned, I finagled my way into getting Scotland to promise to help with the dishes, and I set about my task. I decided to make two different recipes, one that Scotland was asking for, and one that my stomach was asking for.

Double chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls.

The double chocolate chip cookies came about from a conversation with Scotland from a few days ago. He told me that his co-worker’s wife had brought in that type of cookies to his workplace. I immediately boasted that I could make those cookies too (hello, your insecurity is calling) and he said, "ok, that would be great!".

(Now that I think about it, he was probably hoping I would have that reaction… I guess after nine months of marriage, he has figured out how to push the Pride button)

I was all set to make them that night (uh, Thursday???), but realized we didn’t have any eggs. As we were discussing going to the store, he let slip the fact that the cookies were actually store-bought not homemade. And then my motivation went right out the window. So after grocery shopping on Friday night, when we finally had a dozen eggs, Scotland asked for them again. And it wasn't until I had exhausted every other possible thing on my list of things to do (underwater basket weaving, pluck my eyebrows, paint my toes, sleep, etc) that I finally gave in.

The double chocolate chip cookies were rather unremarkable in my opinion. I got the recipe out of one of my many cookbooks, and it was fairly simple. The only thing I was a little hesitant about was the almond extract it called for. Now don’t get me wrong. I LOVE almond extract. Anyone will tell you that. My dad could tell you that I refused to frost a cake in March because they didn't have any almond extract at their house. But he is much too nice to say something like that about me. He would just tell you that I was asking for some so he went to the store and got some for me. But I digress...Oh yes, the cookies. So the recipe I was using called for a whole teaspoon, which seemed a bit excessive, even to me. Scotland commented on the strength of the flavor when he tested the batter for me and asked if some of it would cook out. So it was a bit strong, but they turned out ok, and I kind of think that the almond flavoring brings out the chocolate flavor. A picture for you.

Very pretty, right? And just the right amount of soft and chewy with crusty crispy. Lovely.

The real experiment for the day was the cinnamon rolls. I used the parker house roll recipe from my aunt Wilma, who makes pretty much the best rolls and scones anyone could ever ask for. But just because I was using the same recipe does not mean they turned out like Wilma’s do. I swear that woman has some sort of magic touch, because my rolls were not even on the same field as hers.

Her recipe, if you please.

She is a formidable woman, are you seeing that this is from an actual typewriter??? I mean, she just blows me out of the water with her dedication... And please make a note that I can barely handle this recipe. Do you see all the little notes and pictures I put on it so I could survive the process??? I actually had to look up how to "scald" milk! Betty Crocker I am not.

Anyway, they turned out ok, even if my attempt at parker house rolls was less than stellar. And today I am mixing up some frosting to go on top, because what is a cinnamon roll without frosting?? And one of these times, I will make these again, but will use tang as the filling, because I am out of control like that…orange rolls have a hold of my very soul…and for some reason tang sounds so freaking good…

Yummm, look at all that brown sugar buttery cinnamony goodness....

Aren't they cute? Little swirly things! I had to use my very favorite blue knife for these babies, because the sharper your knife is, the better it cuts through the dough without smashing it.

And this last picture is just because I thought it was ironic that I happened to grab my Saturday Bake towel to spread over them while they were rising.

Too bad I don't look like her while I am baking... And the finished result??????

TA-DA!

Not too shabby if I do say so myself!

And the finished parker house rolls????

WHAH WHAH WHAAAAA!!!!

Can we say UUUUGGGGLLLYYY! But they didn't taste horrible so I guess it is a small step in the right direction. I thought I had them ok, but I must not have pinched them well enough. They look like lips. Or butts. Or something ugly.

Accomplishments for the day:

Two dozen chocolate batter chocolate chip cookies.

Four dozen cinnamon rolls with frosting.

And nine puny little parker house rolls that look really crazy.

And yes, it took me six hours. Baking day finished.

I am probably good for another two months. My sanity has returned.