3 Ingredients + Bread Dough= Caramel Rolls

Recently, I made the commitment to start baking my own bread.  As a first-time bread baker, I've found the recipes and steps from the book, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, to be simple and delicious.  The simplicity of making bread based on the Five Minute method has inspired me to make a batch of dough every weekend for the past three weeks, and it really only takes five minutes a day to make a loaf!  

I modified the book's recipe for Sticky Pecan Caramel Rolls and came up with a nut-free alternative to please my family.  I use the book's Master Recipe for my bread dough, but you can also use 1.5 lbs of your favorite white bread recipe to make these rolls. 

Caramel Topping Ingredients

6 tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 c brown sugar

Cream together these three ingredients and spread in the bottom of an 8" x 8" brownie pan (or an 9" cake pan). 

Filling Ingredients

4 tbsp unsalted butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 c sugar

Cream together these three ingredients.  Roll your bread dough out to 1/8" thick rectangle.  Be sure to use enough flour to prevent your dough from sticking to your rolling surface.  Spread the filling across the surface of the rectangle; then, roll it up into a log.  Using a serrated knife cut the log into 1-1 1/2" inch equal pieces (approx 12); place the rolls in a 3 by 4 design in your pan.  Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for one hour.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown. 

I baked these for the boys on Sunday morning; then, squirreled a few away for myself to enjoy on Monday too.

3 Valentine's Ideas: An Old Post Round-Up

Watch this link to see how I used doilies to adorn these holiday treats for last Valentine's day!

Got an old sweater lying around? Make a cozy for a wine bottle; check out the how-to here. 

All you need to make an easy treat for tomorrow is a sandwich bag, chocolate chips, and some lollipop sticks.  Click here to make these heart-shaped delights.

P.S. I made these for sweet treats this year.

13 Spacemen

 This little wind-up spaceman is too cute, don't you think? He even walks on carpet.  I picked up 13 of these little guys for Connor's preschool Valentine exchange cards.  One for him and his twelve classmates.

Check out what he will be giving away tomorrow. 

P.S. I created the card, but Connor helped unwrap the spacemen, punch holes and lace each little guy up.  It may seem like a lot of work, but it was a fun morning activity that also helped develop his fine motor skills.

Let's get carried away....Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope that you all had a lovely Valentine's Day.  My day started off with a surprise gift from my husband, a fun-filled trip to Grandma's and ended with a delectable dessert including mascarpone cheese, dark chocolate and whipped cream.  

Tomorrow my little man will be delivering these Valentine's, complete with attached red balloon, to his friends at school.  I think they turned out so cute...if I do say so myself! 

P.S. I apologize for the lack of posts as of late....I guess I've been in a bit of a funk.  Hopefully, the nice weather this week will snap me out of it!  

Great Day St. Louis: Valentine's Day Doily Crafts

Tomorrow morning I will be back on Great Day St. Louis (and if you are visiting from Great Day, "Welcome!") sharing doily crafts for Valentine's Day--"these are not your Grandmother's doilies!".  I'm sharing several fun ideas including this, this and this.