Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

I had pretty much given up on homemade rolls with yeast. It just takes so much time and planning to get to the finished product. They’re good but are they worth the time? You choose.
I saw this recipe in the November 2017 issue of Taste of Home magazine. It intrigued me. I really like Red Velvet Cake. I’ve never tasted Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls. I’ve never heard of them. So I had to give them a try. How about you?

Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls

1 package red velvet cake mix (regular size)
2 ½ to 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 package (1/4 oz.) active dry yeast
1 ¼ cups warm water (120 to 130 degrees)
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup butter, melted

Combine cake mix, 1 cup flour and yeast. Add warm water to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (it will be sticky). Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough gently 6-8 times. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 2 hours.

In another bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.

Punch down the dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll dough into an 18x10-inch rectangle. Brush dough with melted butter to within ¼ inch of edges. Sprinkle with sugar mixture.

Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Pinch seam to seal. Cut crosswise into 12 slices. Place in a greased 13x9-inch baking pan. Cover; let rise until almost doubled, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until puffed and light brown, 15-20 minutes. Cool slightly.

Icing

2 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 5 tablespoons 2% milk

Beat confectioners’ sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to reach a drizzling consistency. Drizzle icing over warm rolls.


Makes 12 servings.

Homemade Oatmeal Pies

I spotted this recipe in the October 2017 issue of Southern Living magazine. I enjoy the magazine and would recommend it to anyone. I love the cookbooks. They are my go-to sources when I'm looking for a special recipe. They should fill every cooks kitchen shelves.

This recipe looks like it will be fun to try. I think I'll leave out the toasted pecans though. I love pecans but generally prefer my cookies pecan free.


Homemade Oatmeal Pies

1 cup salted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups uncooked regular rolled oats
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
Salted Caramel Buttercream (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat butter and sugars with a heavy-duty stand mixer on medium speed until creamy, about two minutes; add eggs and vanilla, and beat until just combined. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a small bowl; gradually add to butter mixture, beating on low speed just until combined, about 10 seconds. Stir in oats and pecans.

Using a 1 1/2-inch cook scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough 3 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. (Or use your hands to shape dough into 2-inch balls.) Bake in preheated oven until golden but still soft in the center, 9-10 minutes. Cool 1 minute on baking sheets; remove cookies to wire racks, and cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Pipe or spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons Salted Caramel Buttercream on 1 flat side of half of cooled cookies; top with remaining cookies, flat side down, pressing gently.


Salted Caramel Buttercream

16 caramel candies (such as Kraft)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 (16-oz.) package powdered sugar

Microwave caramel candies and 1 tablespoon heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl on HIGH until mixture is smooth and melted, about 1 minute, stirring at 3-second intervals.

Stir in additional tablespoon cream. Cool at room temperature until lukewarm, about 30 minutes.

Beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla extract and salt. Beat until combined. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with the caramel mixture, beating on low speed until blended after each addition. Add 1 tablespoon cream, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach desired consistency, if needed.

Refrigerate the pies before packing away to keep the filling firm.

Makes 24.