When The Daring Bakers were presented with our September challenge by Marce from Pip in the City, I kind of cringed ….. I do not consider myself a baker at all. L. & I were chatting it up early one morning and he asked me why? My response was that the technical parts and the amount of time I have to put into it kind of irks me, I want instant gratification. So, I got myself out of bed, made some espresso and started Cinnamon (mine are Cardamon) & Sticky Buns.
WOW – half way through the challenge I was having a blast. My dough was silky, smooth and rising to the occasion. My cardamom sugar was sweet & spicy and my pecans and dried California (to add some local into this challenge) Apricots were chopped and my caramel/bergamot glaze was so tasty that I was afraid I was going to eat it all before actually glazing. Overall, it was a pretty good time so far and I was feeling damn good! Next came the part of baking I always hate … putting it all together. I usually do it so quickly, because I want to see what it is going to be like, that it does not come out the way the picture shows – I like to call it “natural looking”, to make myself feel better about it. This time around, I took my time, kneading, rolling, measuring, sprinkling, rolling, cutting and putting these sweet little buns into the right spots! I then covered them up and put them into the fridge to spend the night. I thought about them all night! I got up at 4am, put them next to the nice warm stove, covered them with some warm cheesecloth & let them rise until 8am, at which time I put them in the oven and …… They did just what they were supposed to do – I was so excited!
I could not wait for L. to see them! I set the table, and made the espresso. L. woke up to fresh cardamom & bergamot smells mixed with Italian Roast espresso … sleepy eyed he made it into the kitchen and all he could say was “Jesus Christ, this is great!” I gave some to our neighbors as well; E.’s response was that Sticky Buns were “OUTRAGEOUS” with the nut/fruit combo and Bergamot caramel glaze!
I faced my fears & I conquered this challenge and I can honestly say I am pleased, excited and can not wait until the next one …. Bring it on!!!
29 comments
[...] Cinnamon Buns are the ultimate breakfast treat and I decided to make them for an early morning coffee with my sister, Daniele and brother in-law, Shawn. The recipe was very easy and flowed so smoothly, no hiccups. I decided to flavor them with cardamon instead of cinnamon and a deep orange frosting – the two flavors were great together and definitely more of an “adult” cinnamon bun as the kids who tested did not care for them. I made these a couple years ago and I definitely liked the end result of that recipe better. These cinnamon buns deflated upon baking and looked more like disks. I would try them again, though, before going back to my original attempt. [...]
Oh my Bergamot caramel glaze! I can’t wait to get back to Dallas and check Pensys for Bergamot! Earl Gray is my favorite tea and this would be so good with a cupa!
Excellent Daring Baker you are! (I know what you mean about taking your time, it does make a difference.)
I’m not normally a fan of sticky buns, but bergamot is enough to bring me over to the dark side… Yours look lovely!
They even look flaky! Wow! Love the orange in the glaze
Yum–next sunlight through a window is the best garnish for anything. I think you proved yourself a baker with this project, for sure!
Lovely, just lovely! I expect that the OCT challenge is even more glorious, don’t u think?
Denise! I am sitting here mentally tasting the flavors of your rolls and MY GOD I want some!!! And I’ve never even had Bergamot before – hell I never knew what it was until I just googled it. hehee
I’m so happy you ended up really enjoying this challenge!
xoxo
Your pictures look so professional. Looks like you better start calling yourself a baker!
That is one awesome way to wake up in the morning…fresh cinnamon rolls and Italian roast espresso!
I’m glad you had so much funs. Your buns look delicious. A perfect morning treat.
This was a great challenge, wasn’t it! Great job!
Great pics, they look awesome!
baker or not, they look delicious! Congrats!
Sounds like you got great reviews…well done.
I’m also intrigued by your cardamom/orange caramel combination — another I’m going to have to play with in my own kitchen. I’m going to need to buy stock in bread flour…
You had me at bergamot. And hey, this is what the challenges are all about – freaking out a little and then being consumed by creativity and purpose!
Wow! I’d say that this would be a perfect start to a Sunday morning! And orange caramel glaze…oh my gosh, I could eat it all by itself! Your table setting looks so charming as well, just beautiful!
OH OH OH!! Bergamot in your buns!! I am so trying that in my cinnamon rolls next time. Great job on your challenge this month!! Glad to have you with us!!
They look yummy
Your pictures are beautiful as always. Your buns look to die for! And its always good when your having a good time baking as well! Bravo!
I love all the flavors you used, great job!
Your kitchen looked like a great place to be that morning! Fantastic job!
Oops! I meant Denise of course … sorry … your buns are so glorious I’m all confused!
Dolores,
I’m so glad these worked out for you! And don’t we all love some hot buns on a Sunday morning!
Getting up at 4 am shows some sort of commitment – you have earned your chops! Great buns.
Mmmmm…bergamot. Finger lickin’ outrageous is right. And your buns are even bigger than mine — Jeez. Gorgeous photos, and excellent post. I’m up there with you on the baking thing, but have really begun to develop a love for it. If it just wasn’t so time consuming and fattening…
Glad you loved the challenged. your photos are making me crave for it once more
Cardamom with orange caramel glaze!?! And you don’t consider yourself a baker! They sound divine!
Orange-caramel glaze – oh, that sounds divine! Great job!