Monday, October 4, 2010

Bake for a Cure!! Cran-Apple Cinnamon Rolls

Cancer is a disease that has touched everyone's life in some way.   It touched my life when I was 9 years old.   My mom was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.    At 9 years old, it is hard to process the full meaning of cancer.   She found out in late November and had a mastectomy  two days after Christmas that year.  The biggest thing I remember was being afraid that I would lose my mom.   I am happy to say that mom has been a breast cancer survivor for 25 years.  

When I was invited to take part in the Bake for the Cure, I jumped at the chance!    It is a small way for me to honor my mother, other survivors, and those who have lost their brave fight with this disease.  The rules for the contest are:

1.  Select a recipe from the Bake for the Cure Cookbook, but with your own unique twist.

2.  Select a favorite fall comfort food recipe using ACH products

The  first recipe I selected to prepare is, Classic Cinnamon Rolls from the Bake for the Cure Cookbook.    This recipe was a challenge for me.   I had never made homemade cinnamon rolls and decided to be ambitious.   My twist on the recipe was to add a seasonal flair to it.   I used apples and cranberries to create a filling. 

The ingredients are as follows:
Rolls
1 cup mashed potatoes (about 2 medium sized potatoes)
1 cup reserved potato water
3/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup hot water
2 envelopes Fleischmann's Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm water (100-110 degrees)
2 eggs
8 1/2 to 9 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Filling
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cup diced apples
1 1/2 teaspoons Spice Island Ground Saigon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Spice Island Ground Ginger
1/2 cup Alize Red Passion vodka

Icing
3 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon Spice Island 100% Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract
5 to 6 tablespoons milk
2 or 3 drops of red food coloring

Combine potatoes, potato water, butter, sugar, salt, and hot water in a large mixing bowl.   Stir until butter melts;  set aside and let cool.   Combine yeast and 1/2 warm water in small bowl.  Let rest 5 minutes. Add eggs, 2 cups flour, and yest mixture to potato mixture.  Beat until well mixed.  Continue to add flour, 1 cup at a time, until soft dough forms.

Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic (4 to 6 minutes) or knead with an electric mixer using a dough hook.  Place in a greased bowl, turn to coat. Cover.

Let rise in a warm, draft free area about 1 hour until doubled in size.  Punch down the dough, divide in half.
Mix the filling ingredients together, cover, and let sit while waiting for the dough to rise.

Roll one portion of dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12 x 18 inch rectangle.  Spread half with butter.   Spoon mixture onto the surface.   Roll up tightly lengthwise, sealing edges.  Cut into 12 slices.   Place onto greased 13 x 9 inch pan.  Repeat with remaining dough.  Cover

Let rise for 30-45 minutes until nearly doubled.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes

Cool for 15 minutes Combine icing ingredients and drizzle over rolls.  






For someone who has never baked anything like this before, I am very happy with the end results!!   The dough is very soft and melts in your mouth.   The filling is everything sweet with a little spice.  I chose to tint the icing a light pink color in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, as another little twist on the recipe.     If you try this recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  

20 comments:

  1. Fabulous news about your mom! What a great cause this was for ... :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I found this post through pitch it to me and I shouldn't have read this post before I ate breakfast - Looking at that is making me really hungry! The apple and cranberry filling sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have not tried making cinnamon rolls before either. Tempted to try this, without the cranberries.

    ReplyDelete
  4. They look fantastic.. I am very happy for your mom and you. You are doing a wonderful thing !

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds delicious! And for such a great cause! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a great cause - and so glad your mom is doing well now. Holy Smokes those look delicious! I am definitely going to have to try out that recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a great cause! And those cinnamon rolls look delicious. I will have to give that recipe a try!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm glad your mom is doing well. I may try these too, my kids love dried cranberries!! They sound divine. Any anything to help find a cure is awesome in my book.


    www.mamalovesherbargains.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on your moms accomplishments! :D That looks soooo yummy... I think i may have to mooch that recipe...and get my friends to try it out sometime (for some reason all her baking comes out amazing and mine comes out so-so)... Such a great cause you're supporting :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am happy that your mother managed to beat cancer and you should be proud that you are working for the cause. This recipe sounds absolutely delicious..

    ReplyDelete
  11. OMG that looks so good! I've never made rolls before. I like that you tinted it pink. So happy to hear your mother is doing well

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yum! I'm going to attempt to make these in adherence to my daughter's medical diet (no sugar, no milk).

    ReplyDelete
  13. I LOVE the pink icing! Pink icing is like the ranch dressing of baked goods - it makes everything even more delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  14. So interesting that you can use mashed potatoes to make cinnamon rolls.

    jswaks

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am happy for your mom.

    Cancer sucks.

    ReplyDelete