Bread Baking Babes

Tonight after work, Autumn & I went over to Mom & Dad’s house and Mom had made the yummiest crock pot spaghetti.  The meat was so tender that it just melted in our mouths.  After dinner, I did up the dishes while Autumn played w/ her dolls and then we went over to Sis. Bass’ house so she could teach the Laurel’s how to make bread.  We figured that would be a good activity so they could learn to make bread when they go off to college or are out living on their own.  I love that Sis. Bass had this on her chalkboard when we walked in.  Her home is so clean and organized and uncluttered and it smelled super good b/c she had already been baking bread.

Since the bread she was making takes a few hours to rise, she had already baked quite a few loaves of the loaf bread (see recipe below).  She had some dough already made and rising for the crescent rolls and cinnamon rolls.  She had the girls roll out the dough for the crescent rolls and we put those in the oven.  Usually she lets the dough rise after rolling it out, but we didn’t have time for that.  They still looked and tasted amazing.  Then she had the girls roll out more dough and make cinnamon rolls.  While waiting for those to bake, she had the girls make the dough for the loaf bread.  They got quite an education tonight in bread making.  It was a fun activity.

Butter Crescent Rolls

• 1/2 c milk
• 1/2 c butter
• 1/3 c sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 pkg active dry yeast
• 1/2 c warm water
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 1/2 – 4 c flour

In a saucepan, heat milk until bubbly on edges.  Combine butter, sugar and salt.  Add hot milk, stir.  Cool to lukewarm.  In a small bowl dissolve yeast in water.  Let stand 5-10 minutes until foamy.  Beat yeast and egg into milk mixture.  Stir in 2 cups of flour till until smooth.  Add enough flour, dough pulls from bowl.  Knead 2-3 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning to coat.  Cover, let rise in warm place 1 hour.  Punch down and divide, cover and let rest 10 minutes.  Grease baking sheets.  Roll into circle.  Cut like pizza, roll up, and place on baking sheets.  Cover, let rise in warm place 30 minutes.  Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Brush rolls with glaze, bake 15 minutes, and cool.

Cinnamon Rolls

• Cinnamon
• Sugar
• Butter
• Frosting

Make a cinnamon and sugar bowl.  Roll dough out into a rectangle.  Smear butter all over rectangle and then sprinkle bowl mixture onto the dough.  Start at the end of the widest part of the rectangle and roll it up.  Then cut slices and put in greased pan.  Have frosting ready to put on rolls when they come out of the oven.

Nut Strudel

• Melt 1 stick of butter
• then add 1/2 c sugar
• stir well and add 2 tsp vanilla
• stir and turn off stove.  Add 4 cups nuts.
• Stir well and let cool as dough gets ready.

Roll dough into a rectangle and add nut mixture.  Spread and press down evenly onto dough.  Roll up tightly and place on pan.  When just out the oven spread frosting over warm rolls.

Loaf Bread

• 6 c flour
• 2 c water
• 1 egg
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 2 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbs yeast

Mix dough, and add a little flour until dough pulls away from the bowl.  Place in 2 big greased bread pans.  Bake for 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Autumn had so much fun playing w/ the Bass’ 3 girls.  One of them is in the same Primary class as Autumn.  Plus, Bro. Bass is just awesome and watched a movie w/ the girls and had them color to keep them entertained while we made bread.  Once we were done, I let Autumn have a few of the small cinnamon rolls.  Sis. Bass let us take a loaf of bread home.  It was a great activity, and to show my appreciation to Sis. Bass for letting us come over, I did up the dishes for her.

Autumn & I came home and I gave her a shower so she wouldn’t be a Stink Bug Johnson.  Then after she went to bed I watched Revenge and lotioned my legs b/c they were getting dry.  Does anyone have good suggestions for super hydrating (but not super expensive) lotion?  I have just been using Bath & Body Works lotions or Johnson’s Baby Magic lotion.  I wonder if I need something w/ shea butter?