Monday, November 30, 2009

Rolling in the Kitchen

My grandma's rolling pin - ready for seventy more years of action


I was given the best gift ever this week. After visiting my grandmother in Winnipeg (she is 93 years old), I was flattered enough to inherit her rolling pin. This wooden pin has seen many pastries and baked goods in her kitchen over the years; I and my cousins being the lucky recipients of its creations. I am very happy to keep it turning on its axis as I roll my way into memory lane; recreating her signature favourites.

Here is a recipe she gave me when I first got married. I bake these every holiday season; handing out rations to my parents and brothers' families so, they too, can enjoy them Christmas morning.

Grandma Anderson's Cinnamon Buns

I usually roll these out and let rise overnight. By morning, they've doubled in size and are ready for the oven:

1 1/3 cup 2% Milk (I've used skim or whole milk on occasion)
1 egg
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp. salt
3 3/4 cup best for bread flour
1 1/4 tsp. best for bread yeast (in jar)

Melted Butter
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon

Measure ingredients in order into electric mixer using a dough hook (same one you'd use for cookie dough). When mixer has formed the dough into a ball and is less sticky looking, turn onto lightly floured surface (if dough is still too sticky while in mixer, add more flour and mix).

Roll with pin until you achieve uniform thickness throughout. Should be a large rectangle.

Here's where my kids love to help: brush with melted butter using pastry brush or back of spoon. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon (as desired). Roll into 'log' shape and pinch seam together to seal. Cut into 1 1/2" or 2" pieces.

Put on greased cookie sheet with cut side up. Cover with wax paper and let rise until double in size (if setting overnight, place tea towel on top of wax paper).

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. If desired, drizzle with icing: 3/4 cup icing sugar, 1 tbsp milk, 1/4 tsp vanilla.

7 comments:

  1. Oh Tracey you got me teary eyed now! I totally can see how that would be the perfect gift for you! I remember visiting them when the kids were very little and her loving to always share her oh-so-yummy baking with us. If I make them this Xmas I'll be sure to let you know!
    It was great seeing you yesterday! Hugs...

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  2. Mmmm... no matter what Grandma made, it was wonderful! Thanks for posting the recipe Tracey - it sounds awesome!

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  3. It was great seeing you guys too! How awesome that food can reconnect us with loved ones - a true gift indeed! xo

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  4. Loving all these new recipes that I can try at home!

    Many, Many Thanks to you and Grandma for this one!

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  5. So incredibly wonderful how you can treasure something as simple as a rolling pin - You have a gift sweet Tracey ... I too hope to pass on treasures to my children such as this :-) Love ya cuz and your blog too ~hugs~
    Dianne

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  6. That rolling pin is a wonderful TREASURE, a family heirloom sor of thing. SWMBO also makes cinnamon buns every Christmas morning. I can almost smell them now....

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  7. The rolling pin is cetainly in good hands and WILL get many years of use I am sure.
    Maybe one day Sam will write a blog about how she inherited the pin from you and how much she learned from you over the years in your kitchen.
    And perhaps THIS year some of those magical buns will find their way to my house for Christmas morning? Hmmmm? Huhhh? Hmmm?

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