Writer's Workshop: Mother's Cinnamon Rolls

I was lucky enough to be born in the late 50's! I grew up with the BRADY BUNCH, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, FATHER KNOWS BEST, MY THREE SONS, ANDY GRIFFITH, among others. These shows conjure up fond memories of home. That was the way we lived. Dad was the provider. Mom was the homemaker.

Mom was the center of home. She did all the domestic things a mother was known for. She spent many hours in the kitchen fixing and preparing the most scrumptious meals for her growing family. Our kitchen was in the center of our house and so you can imagine the delightful smells that radiated out from there, to fill every room, in the early morning hours as we got ready for school. Then… the smell of dinner cooking in the oven tantalized my hungry taste buds and I could hardly wait to sit down to another feast.  Mom’s dinners were just that. Well balanced to include all the food groups, and very colorful. And… every meal was not complete without dessert. Imagine that! But that’s the way it was for us. It was also a common occurrence to walk in the front door after school to the smell of freshly baked cookies, bread, and cinnamon rolls. And everything was made from scratch.

Mom’s cinnamon rolls were the best… especially fresh from the oven! I can still see the home made icing melting and running down the sides of the hot rolls, filling up every crevice and fold. The roll could easily be pulled apart and when you put it in your mouth it would melt like butter. Even thinking about it makes my mouth salivate. I don’t know how she did it, but there was the perfect balance of cinnamon, sugar, and raisins. Eating a cinnamon roll was truly a treat. She made them for Family Home Evening nights, Easter dinner, picnics, family reunions, and whenever anyone requested them. Requests often came from extended family. Neighbors and friends would rave over them. You could say my mother was famous for her cinnamon rolls. Everyone loved them!

The smell of fresh baked rolls, breads, and pastries remind me of my mother. She is no longer with us, but the memory of her being in the kitchen, preparing meals, cooking, baking… all for the love of family… brings a smile on my face, warms my heart, and comforts my soul.

The last family reunion mom was alive, my brother requested cinnamon rolls. It was not an easy thing for her to do, with here declining health. But… she did it… all for the love of family!

I think I’ll make a batch of cinnamon rolls this week. They may not equal mom’s, but I’ll have the pleasure of going back in time to a place of comfort, warmth, security, and love.

Mother's Cinnamon Rolls - Family Reunion 2010


Mother's Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

2 eggs,1 c sugar, 4 t salt, 4 c lukewarm water, 1 c butter, melted, 1 pkg (3 T) dry yeast, 1/2 c water, 7 c flour, 1 c powdered milk, melted butter, cinnamon, sugar, raisins (optional), nuts (optional)

Directions:

1)   Beat 2 eggs ‘til foamy; add 1 cup sugar, 4 teaspoon salt, 4 cups lukewarm water, and 1 cup melted butter. Mix well. 

2)   Dissolve 3 tablespoons dry yeast in mixture of ½ cup warm water and 4 tablespoons sugar. Let work.

3)    Add to liquid mix.

4)    Add 7 cups flour and 1 cup dry milk. Beat vigorously or 5 minutes with bread mixer. Add 7 cups flour, or enough that can be handled without sticking.

5)    If bread mixer is used: beat 10 minutes. If by hand, knead well

6)    Let rise ‘til double in bulk. Knead. Let rise again. Then proceed as follows:

7)    Roll dough into rectangle.

8)    Brush liberally with melted butter.

9)    Sprinkle with mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Add nuts and raisins, if desired.
10)  Roll up and slice 1-inch thick.

11)  Let rise.

12)  Bake in 400* oven for 20 minutes.

13)  Frost with icing made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla

writing prompt #1: A smell that makes you think of your mother

writing prompt #2: Share a recipe that everyone in your family loves