Yeast doughs used to be a nightmare for me. Our old houses have never held temperatures particularly well and the top of the refrigerator or the top of the hot water heater weren't warm enough for yeast to rise (or if they were warm, cat hairs would be that hidden seasoning element.) Then we got a bread machine. And I use it a lot to make dough and that takes it through the first rise and then I can do the second in the bread pan/baking sheet (Pizza), muffin tins, or whatever. In spring and fall I can use the kitchenaid mixer and get good dough. But summer heat and winter cold winds...bread machine is super important. Other problems: I think a lot of yeast that's sold is past its useful life; not just the date stamped on the packet but the yeast may have been overheated so much as to kill it before it gets to us. I buy the large two packs of yeast at Sam's and give one away. And I do know a lot of folks who bake. Second problem for me was I didn't think bread flour could be that important. It is. And the speed at which the texture develops comes with using bread flour. (I know a couple of bakers who use regular flour and love to knead bread and even one who buys gluten and adds it to 'regular' flour.) Right now I'm working on what for me will be the ultimate raisin bread. No burned raisins from their being in contact with the bread tin. Cinnamon and raisins in a near perfect swirl in the loaf. A nice rich bread made with an egg, and a little bit of care. Pepperidge Farm: eat your heart out.

Thanks for the link, luv the cinnamonbuns, always looking for ways to make them oddie

No, you aren't alone! Our local mall was built when I was a teenager. I have NEVER been able to breathe in that building. I don't know what kind of air circulation system they put in, but it doesn't work well. Sometimes I'm in there for 5 minutes, sometimes an hour before I HAVE to leave. There are other malls with in half an hour or 45 minutes from me that I can walk all over in, but I can breathe in them, so it's easier to want to look around! As for the server, he needs fired! My thing is that everyone who works with food, be it restaurant kitchen or grocery store, non-register employees, or your local convenience store employees, and here I do include those who run register, as I know they all work deli!, should be required to take and pass the serve safe test. My son took baking and pastry in high school and passed his first try. Needs to renew it. He works in a convenience store as a shift leader, and those who work with him know they better follow the rules or listen to him b)*()&* at them! Tami

ci lantro: Sorry I haven't been Posting much, plus I've been away to AC, NJ. Below is the Recipe for the Cinnamon Bunns and Dough. rosewitch: Far as I know Cinnamon Bunns are mainly an East Coast name. Anything West of N.Y. , N.J. and Pa. they are called Sticky Bunns. *********************************** Lous Cinnamon Buns ------ SS Pan ,9 ½ in by 12 in by 2 ½ in deep Or Pyrex baking dish 3/4 stick of butter and 1 tablesp. Of Vegetable oil Pancake syrup , Brown Sugar and a little granulated sugar Cinnamon and Raisins Melt the butter in the pan and let it cool ( put it in the refrig. a few minutes) Level it across the pan and back into the refrig to harden. Take it out and Sprinkle very little oil and move it around with the back of a spoon. Dribble some pancake syrup all around the pan , then a little gran. Sugar Then lay in some brown sugar . Dont be chincey , leave some lumps. Last sprinkle ( good bit ) of Cinnamon and Raisins. You can also add some walnuts, If you want to. If you dont want to , dont do it but dont blame me , if you didnt Do and wish you had done , etc. Take half + of the recipe of the Braided Bread dough and roll it out to about 3/16 in thick ( 3 pennies ) You can do the dough in 2 pieces if it is easier. Try to roll them out to at least 16 in long. x 12 in. Sprinkle some pancake syrup, Sugar and cinnamon on the dough , then some raisins. Roll the dough up loosely, Making a 12 in. long Roll and cut into 1 in. pieces. Mark the roll ,at half way and half again before cutting., into 8 pieces. Do the same to the other piece of dough Place these pieces in the pan that you prepared , leaving spaces in between , because the dough will grow. Push them around with your fingers, to fill the pan evenly. When the dough is doubled , bake in a 320 degree oven , on a shelf near the top, for about 25 to 35 minutes or golden brown. You can Baste , with an egg milk mix, while baking. When it is removed from the oven , place a piece of aluminum foil over it and a large cutting board or cookie tin and then flip it over and remove the pan. If some of the goodies stay in the pan take them out right away and patch the Buns while the goo is still hot. WARNING !!!! Get away from them until they cool. !!!!!!!! You will burn your lips Now you can see if you used enough brown sugar and gooey stuff. ************************************************* Everyone has their own way to do this, which is better. But! I like to cook and bake using easier ways, long as the end results are the same. I've used this recipe since I got out of the Army, a very long time ago and converted it from Army Baking (Large amounts )to Home Baking. It wasn't easy going from 4 Quarts to 4 cups , etc. But I worked it out. I got the results that I wanted and I'm passing it on to everyone . Here is the recipe: ************************* Lous - - - Braided, Plaited Bread or Dough for Cinnamon Buns , Bagels, Etc. ************************* 2 cups of milk, (warm ) - - Sometimes I sub Powdered Milk 1 1/3 cup of Sugar 3 large eggs- beaten (save ½ egg w. a little milk for basting ) 1 tablesp.+ of Vanilla - - ½ cup + of oil - - 1/2 teasp. Salt 2 packs of Fleischmans Active dry yeast AP Flour - 3 cups to start ( probably about 6 total ) enough to knead into a soft ball that doesnt stick to your hands. I now substitute a cup of WW Flour. Makes a nice texture and tender. Stir the yeast in a 1/3 cup of warm water w. 1/2 spoon of sugar, to test it for raising. In a large mixing bowl, or (KA mixer) place the warm milk ( not hot ) add the sugar ,vanilla , salt & eggs Beat until the sugar is dissolved and add the Yeast and mix well. Add 1 cup of WW flour and 3 cups of AP flour and mix with mixer a few minutes. Add flour until you make a " soft " Ball of dough that doesnt stick to your hands. Dont make it too stiff , try to keep it a "soft dough." On the Work Top, Sprinkle some flour under the ball and Knead it until smooth. Place it in a large bowl, Rub some oil on top. Cover with a damp towel and place in a warm spot ( until double.) I usually turn my oven on for a few minutes to warm and shut it. Place a pan of hot water on the bottom shelf. Then place the dough bowl in the oven to rise. When ( doubled ) deflate and put it out of the bowl onto a floured worktop. Punch it down and knead the dough again. Then cut into 2 pieces ( 2 loaves ). Divide each piece into 3. Roll each of these 3 pieces into the shape of a sweet potato ( about 12 in long ). With the basting ( egg ) mixture and wet the tips of the 3 pieces and stick them together at one end . Then spread the other end the shape of an arrow While keeping the stuck ends down and away from you , twist each piece clockwise about 8 times and lay them down so you can Platt or Braid them and stick the other ends together There are other ways to Braid ( 6 Strands ) but I take the fast easy way to do things. Place the 2 shaped loaves on lightly oiled cookie tins, or in loaf pans. Preheat the oven to 400 deg. Spray some Pam on the loaves or brush with oil. This will keep them from drying while raising. When doubled in size (about 20 min.) place in the oven , top shelf and bake until slightly tan. Baste them with the egg mix and rotate them back into the oven and ( Turn temperature down to 325 deg.) Baste again when they are a dark tan. Cook till a rich brown, mahogany color. Take them out of the pans onto a rack to cool. Control yourself !!!! Let them cool !!! This sounds like a lot to do but it is easy and should take only 10 minutes to mix and shape. The most time is in the waiting for the dough to rise and for the bread to cool . But it do look great !!! & Professional This dough can also be used for Cinnamon Buns . I use it for Bagels too. I like the Subtle , sweet taste.