Jenny's Cinnamon Rolls

 

ROLLS:

       1/2 cup warm water

         2 packages dry yeast

         2 T sugar

         3 1/2 oz. pkg. vanilla pudding mix

       1/2 cup butter (Yes. Butter.) -- melted

         2 eggs

         1 teas. salt

         6 cups flour

 

      CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

         8 oz cream cheese

       1/2 cup butter

         1 teas. vanilla

         3 cups confectioner's sugar

         1 T milk

    

To make frosting, mix all ingredients until smooth.

 

In a bowl combine water, yeast and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Set aside.  In large bowl, take pudding mix and prepare according to package directions. Add butter, eggs and salt. Mix well. Then add yeast mixture. Blend.

 

Gradually add flour; knead until smooth. Place in a greased   bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled.   Punch down dough and let rise again.

 

Then roll out on floured board to 34 x 21" size. Take 1 cup soft butter and spread over surface. In bowl, mix 2 cups brown sugar   and 4 teas. cinnamon. Sprinkle over top. Roll up very tightly.   With knife, put a notch every 2". Cut with thread or knife.

 

Place on lightly greased cookie sheet 2" apart.  Take hand and lightly press down on each roll. Cover and let rise until double again. Bake at 350º for 15-20 minutes. Remove when they start to turn golden.

 

DON'T OVER BAKE. 

 

Really.

 

Don't!

 

Frost warm rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting... I make a double batch because Lauren likes LOTS of frosting.

 

Jenny's Chocolate Lava Muffins a la Alton Brown

 

If you're hungry for chocolate, this is the recipe for you. It's quick; it's easy-easy, and it's so bloody good you won't believe how easy it was to make.

 

Recipe from Alton Brown of 'Good Eats', Food Network

 

8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

1 stick butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

Butter, to coat muffin tin

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1 cup vanilla ice cream

1 teaspoon espresso powder (I have used instant coffee.)

 

Preheat oven to 375º.

 

Place a small metal bowl over a saucepan with simmering water (or use a double boiler). Melt the chocolate and butter in the bowl. Stir in vanilla.

 

In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour and salt. Sift these into the chocolate and mix well with electric hand mixer. Add eggs one at time, fully incorporating each egg before adding the next. Beat at high until batter is creamy and lightens in color, approximately 4 minutes. Chill mixture.

 

Coat the top (yes, this means 'all over'... these puff up and spread!) and each cup of the muffin tin with butter. Dust with the cocoa powder and shake out excess. Spoon mixture into pan using a 4-ounce scoop or ladle. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes. Outsides should be cake-like and centers should be gooey.

 

While muffins are in oven, melt the ice cream in a small saucepan. Stir in the espresso powder. Serve over warm muffins.

 

Yield: 1 dozen