Homemade Sticky Buns from Scratch*

Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Yield:12 Sticky Buns

Ingredients:

1 Packet (2 1/4 tsp) of Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup Warm Water
1/4 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
1 Large Egg, room temperature
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
1 cup Buttermilk (Sub: 1 Tbsp white vinegar then fill the rest of the cup with regular milk)
1 tsp Salt
4 1/2 - 5 cups All-Purpose Flour

Cinnamon Sugar Filling:

1/4 cup Granulated Sugar
1-2 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon
3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted

Caramelized Pecan Topping:

1/4 cup Unsalted Butter
1/2 cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Light Corn Syrup
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 cup Chopped Pecans (optional)


Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water for about 5-10 minutes. Set to the side.
2. Using you stand mixer fitter with the paddle attachment, combine the egg, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and salt until combined. Add in the dissolved yeast mixture, buttermilk, and 2 cups of the all-purpose flour until well blended.
3. Switch out paddle attachment for the hook attachment and continue to add in the remaining 2 1/2-3 cups of all-purpose flour until a soft dough forms.
4. Place the soft dough onto a clean, lightly floured surface and for about 5-7 minutes or until the dough is nice and smooth.
5. When ready, place the dough into a greased bowl, making sure all sides of the dough are coated. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and set in a warm, draft free spot of your kitchen for an hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. You can also adjust the oven rack to the middle to third mark, then preheat your oven to lowest temperature. Turn off the oven once preheated, place your bowl of dough in the oven with a medium-size bowl of boiling wated on the rack below with the door closed. After 1 hour, open the door and remove the dough and the bowl of water.

Cinnamon Sugar Filling

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and cinnamon until well blended. Set to the side. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt the better in the microwave and set to the side.

Caramelized Pecan Topping

1. Generously Spray the 13" x 9" pan and set to the side.
2. In a medium-size sauce pan, melt the unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, light corn syrup, and cinnamon over low heat until the mixture is well combined.
3. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the chopped pecans over top. Set to the side.

Assembling the Sticky Buns

1. Remove the kitchen towel from over top of the bowl with the dough, and punch it down once with your fist. Then place the dough on to a clean, lightly floured surface.
2. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out into an 18" x 12" rectangle. Then, using a pastry brush, brush on the melted butter, leaving about 1/2" of space from the edge. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over top.
3. Starting with the long side, roll up the dough like your would for a jelly roll, pinching the seams to seal.
4. Cut the roll into approximately 12 equal sizes and place into the pan cut side down on top of the caramelized pecan topping, leaving about a 1" space in between each roll. Cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel and set in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until the sticky buns have doubled in size.
5. When ready, adjust your oven to the 2nd level mark, and pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees (F). Then bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Allow the sticky buns to cool for 5-10 minutes before turning the pan over onto a large serving plate or jelly roll pan.

*Pre-make: Step 4 let cut rolls rise in the fridge over night and bake in the morning.

homemade sticky buns at beyondthebutter.com

Strawberries and Cream Scones*

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 stick (4oz) unsalted butter, VERY cold and cut into tiny pieces
1 large egg
1/2 cup whole milk
2 Tbsp heavy cream
1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered (larger pieces work better)

For the Egg Wash:

1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp milk or water
2 Tbsp sugar, for sprinkling

For Glaze:

2 Tbsp heavy cream
3/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Tiny pinch of salt (1/8 tsp or less)


Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. 
2. In a large bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and sugar; mix well to combine
3. Cut the butter into small cubes then work it into the mixture (using your fingers, two forks or a pastry cutter) until it resembles a coarse meal.
4. In a small bowl whisk together the egg, milk, and cream. Add to flour/butter mixture and use a fork to stir everything together until just moistened. 
5. Add strawberries and using a rubber spatula gently fold them into the dough. Don't worry if some of the berries break up a bit
6. Empty the loose dough out onto a clean, floured work surface, that shape the dough into a 8-inch circle. You may need to knead the mixture a few times to get it to a workable texture.
7. Cut the dough into 8 wedges and carefully transfer them to the prepared sheet, placing them 2 inches apart.
8. Lightly brush each scone with the egg wash, then sprinkle the tops with sugar.
9. Bake for 18 minutes, or until light golden brown.
10. All ow scones to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet in the meantime you can make the glaze.
11. In a small bowl whisk together the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt. Drizzle over semi-warm scones and serve warm.

strawberries-and-cream-scones at bakerbynature.com


*Flaky and moist scones that are great warm with tea or coffee. Best eaten the same day.

Best Ever Banana Bunt Cake w/ Icing*

Ingredients:

1/2 cup softened butter
1/4 cup canola oil
2 1/8 cup sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1 1/2 cup buttermilk (substitute: 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar mix with 1 1/2 cup milk)
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 or 4 smashed very ripe bananas (1 1/2 cup)

Icing Ingredients:

1/2 cups softened butter
1 (8oz) softened cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease and flour a bundt pan and set aside
3. Smash the bananas and mix in the 2 tsp of lemon juice and set aside
4. Using the mixer combine butter, oil and sugar and mix thoroughly
5. Add eggs one at a time and mix just until combined
6. Add vanilla, salt, and buttermilk. Mix well, scrape edges and bottom of bowl to make sure everything is well combined
7. Add baking soda and flour mix gently and then add bananas and mix gently again.
8. Pour the cake batter evenly into the greased and floured bundt pan (do not fill bundt pan more then 2/3 full) and bake in the 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
9. Immediately after removing cake from oven, put cake (still in the pan) into your freezer and freeze for 45-60 minutes. (Optional but recommended to lock in the moisture) 
10. Remove from pan (must be fully cool) and frost with Cream Cheese Icing. 

*Can use 9x13 pan instead at 275 degrees but still cook for 50-70 minutes



Best Ever Banana Bundt Cake at reallifedinner.com