A Warm treat from the Oven!

I love to cook. I think since opening the {Bucket} I wanted another way to be creative that didn't involve paper! I love that too, but sometimes I do just need a break. So I have added a few cooking shows to my TIVO schedule and occasionally make time to bake or add some speciality cooking to my schedule. Mostly on Sundays since Jason works swing shift we rarely get dinners together, but on Sunday's we have dinner at 2:00 and I enjoy some creative cooking time.

A new favorite has been fresh from the oven homemade bread.... and not with a breadmaker. Although I do use my kitchen aid for the kneading.

I always do a double batch since it doesn't last long and then I share with a friend. And since Katie was able to try it a couple of weeks ago, she has had a craving so here is the recipe!

1 Cup Warm Milk
3 tsp yeast dissolved in a 1/3 Cup warm water with 1 tsp sugar.
I use a shallow bowl so I have a lot of surface area for this step. The yeast activates faster. Sprinkle the sugar and yeast in it and then let it dissolve.
1/2 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup meltered margarine or butter ( I have tried both and actually like the margarine better)
3/4 tsp of salt
3 eggs beaten
4 Cups Flour

Combine all ingredients adding flour last (I use my kitchenaid) Mix well. Add flour to make a soft dough. The dough is a fairly wet dough. I sometimes add another 1/2 flour if it seems to wet. I knead it for about 3-5 minutes in the kitchenaid and then transfer to a bowl sprayed with cooking spray. Let raise until double in size (about 4 - 6 hours)
Remove dough from bowl on to floured surface.
For Rolls - Split dough into 2 sections. Roll out each into a circular shape. Spread with soft butter or margarine. Cut into 12 wedges (notice picture above) roll into crescent roll shapes.
For Loaves - Shape into 2 loaves and place in loaf pans
For Cinnamon Rolls - Use half or all the dough depending on the size and quantity that you want. Shape into a rectangle, spread with soft butter or margarine, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. If you like nuts you can add them. I have also done orange rolls by adding sugar instead of brown sugar and orange zest and a little juice from the orange. Roll up dough and seal together. Cut into pinwheels.
Let raise again usually 2-4 hours. Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes for rolls and 15-20 minutes for loaves or cinnamon rolls.
This recipe will make 24 rolls or 2 loaves of bread. I usually do a batch of cinnamon rolls, 12 rolls and 2 loaves when I make a double batch.

I play with the pinwheel rolls alot and make different flavors. Orange is a favorite. I also do vanilla with the brown sugar and then make a warm vanilla sauce found in my Betty Crocker book.

May make a batch today... we will see.