Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

Fill your home with the fragrance of freshly baked cinnamon rolls this weekend! Sweet cinnamon and sugar are nestled throughout a swirling, buttermilk dough. When topped with a decadent, maple cream cheese frosting, this recipe is irresistible! Serve while warm, and be prepared to swoon.

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Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
Makes 12 rolls

Dough Ingredients:

1/4 cup warm water (110-115 F)
1 packet (2-1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
2 cups buttermilk
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
Vegetable oil for greasing bowl
1/2 cup heavy cream (for the milk bath)

Filling Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1-1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:

6 oz cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1-1/4 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer outfitted with the paddle attachment, pour in the warm water and sprinkle the top with the yeast granules. Allow the yeast to dissolve and bloom without stirring or disturbing the bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, stir together the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Slowly add this mix to the stand mixer.

3. In a microwave safe bowl, heat the buttermilk in 15 second intervals until just warm (do not scorch the buttermilk). Stir in the baking soda. Add the buttermilk and baking soda mixture to the stand mixer bowl.

4. In a large bowl, combine the flour and Kosher salt. Using a low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Switch to the dough hook attachment and knead on the mixer's low setting for 5 minutes. It should be soft and sticky.

5. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl. With a light kneading motion, form the dough into a ball using your hands. Place the dough ball into a well-oiled large bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the ambient temperature.

6. After the dough’s first, full rise, punch down the dough in the bowl. Gather the dough together and with a couple quick kneading motions, reform a compact dough ball. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 8 hours, overnight, or up to 48 hours. This refrigeration step allows the yeast fermentation to continue and flavors to deepen. Chilled dough will be much easier to handle when it’s time to form the rolls. (BONUS: The flexible chilling step allows for a quick, do-ahead preparation of dough for baking at a later time).

7. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and knead a few times to eliminate any air bubbles. Dust the working surface with a small amount of flour to keep the dough from sticking. Press, stretch, and roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 16” x 20”.

8. Add the filling by brushing the melted butter over the top of the dough. Mix the cinnamon, sugars and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the buttered dough with the cinnamon sugar mix, leaving a 1" margin free of filling. Gently rub and press the mixture into the dough to make sure it is evenly distributed.

9. Tightly roll the dough to make a 20" long log. Place the rolled dough seam-side down on the working surface.

10. Cut 12 even pieces from the rolled dough log. Arrange in a lightly greased 9"x13" baking dish.Cover with plastic wrap.

11. Allow the rolls to rise for about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 F. Once dough has risen, remove the plastic wrap and evenly drizzle the 1/2 cup heavy cream over the rolls. Bake the rolls for 35-40 minutes or until nicely golden brown and the internal temperature of the bread reaches 180 F. Cool on a wire rack.

12. While the cinnamon rolls bake, prepare the frosting. In the stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter and mix until smooth. Add the maple syrup, vanilla, and salt; mix until incorporated. Slowly add the powdered sugar until completely combined and smooth.

13. Remove the cinnamon rolls from the oven, let cool slightly, then spread the cream cheese frosting over the rolls. Ideally, enjoy the cinnamon rolls while they are still slightly warm.

Greek Yogurt Waffles with Bananas, Candied Pecans, Maple Rum Syrup and Whipped Cream

Try these waffles! Greek yogurt adds a delightful tanginess while offering a boost to the overall protein content. With this solid foundation, we’ve loaded these tasty waffles with decadent toppings -- slices of banana, candied pecans, and a drizzle of maple rum syrup. For some extra flair, plan to finish the presentation with a little whipped cream. Brunch is now served!

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Greek Yogurt Waffles with Bananas, Candied Pecans, Maple Rum Syrup and Whipped Cream
Makes about 4 - 5 waffles

Maple Rum Syrup Ingredients:

1 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup dark rum
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Quick Candied Pecan Ingredients:

1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1-1/2 teaspoons water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecan halves

Greek Yogurt Waffle Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 large eggs
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Serving:

Maple rum syrup
Quick candied pecans
Sliced bananas
Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

1. For the Maple Rum Syrup. Combine the maple syrup, dark rum, and butter in a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir and simmer for about 5-7 minutes. Add the vanilla extract to the syrup and stir well.

2. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly before serving.

3. For the Quick Candied Pecan. Combine the brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, water, and vanilla in a skillet, and cook for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves.

4. Add the pecans and stir until coated. Cook for another 2-3 minutes while stirring.

5. Cool the coated pecans immediately in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

6. For the Greek Yogurt Waffles: Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer's instructions.

7. Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

8. In another bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the Greek yogurt, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.

9. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; it's okay if there are a few lumps!

10. Lightly grease the waffle iron with a non-stick cooking spray, or a small amount of melted butter. Pour the batter onto the preheated waffle iron, spreading it evenly. Close the lid and cook according to your waffle iron's instructions, usually for about 3-5 minutes, or until the waffles are golden brown and crisp.

11. Carefully remove the waffles from the iron, and serve them warm.

12. Serve with sliced bananas, candied pecans, maple rum syrup, and a few dollops of whipped cream. ENJOY!

Acai Smoothie Bowls

Smoothie bowls are a fun, colorful, and healthy option for breakfast! We love this easy recipe featuring vibrant acaí (ah-sigh-EE) berries. Simply blend all of the ingredients together until smooth. Have fun placing delicious garnishes on top in a beautiful way. Breakfast is served!

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Acai Smoothie Bowls
Serves 2

Ingredients:

7 ounces frozen açai berry packets (substitute 1 cup of frozen mango or berries if not using acai packets)
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
1/2 cup oat milk (or a milk of your choice)

Garnishes:

fresh banana slices
blueberrie
sshaved coconut
chia seeds

Directions:

1. BLEND the frozen açaí berry packets with the banana, blueberries, spinach leaves, ground flax seed, and oat milk until smooth. Use the blender tamper when blending to help move the ingredients around.

2. POUR the smoothie into two bowls and top with an array of garnishes. We chose to garnish ours with banana slices, blueberries, shaved coconut, and chia seeds. Get creative with garnishes and arrange your choice of toppings with care for an artful and delicious experience!

3. Enjoy!

Savory Dutch Baby with Bacon and Caramelized Onions

This dish is a real crowd pleaser, mostly due to the high impact, wow-factor of the puffy, airy pancake. The savory toppings complement the egg-forward pancake for a delicious and filling breakfast. It’s a nice, new twist on a classic!

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Savory Dutch Baby with Bacon and Caramelized Onions
Serves 4

Filling Ingredients:

3 slices bacon, cooked and sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 medium, sweet onion, sliced pole-to-pole and caramelized
1/4 cup extra finely shredded parmesan cheese, plus a few more shredded tablespoons for garnish handful of arugula, washed

Pancake Ingredients:

4 eggs, room temperature
1 cup whole milk, room temperature 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
a few grinds of black pepper
3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. On the stovetop, in a 10-inch cast iron skillet, cook the bacon until crispy, then set aside to cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Once the bacon has cooled, slice or tear into bite-sized pieces.

2. In the same skillet, remove all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add the 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook the onion until caramelized and golden brown. Use low-and-slow heat to allow the onion to caramelize and not simply brown.

3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Wipe out the cast iron skillet and allow to warm further in the preheated oven until very hot, about 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the pancake batter. In a blender or food processor, mix the eggs, milk, flour, and salt together until the batter is smooth and free of any lumps.

5. Once the oven and pan have preheated, quickly melt the 3 tablespoons of butter inside the hot pan swirling to evenly coat the bottom and sides. Immediately pour the batter into the hot skillet. Quickly add the 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese to the center of the batter. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the pancake is puffed and the edges are nicely golden brown.

6. Top the pancake with the cooked bacon, caramelized onions, a handful of fresh arugula, and additional finely shredded parmesan cheese. Enjoy immediately while hot!

French Toast Sticks

This week we are channeling our inner child with French toast sticks! The extra surface area achieved when preparing French toast sticks brings twice the flavor while enrobing wonderfully custardy insides. Their handy shape means they are destined for easy dipping, serving, and sharing with the whole family. Good Morning!

Cinnamon-Sugar French Toast Sticks
Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 large loaf bread (such as a brioche or Italian loaf that’s 3-4 days old)
3 eggs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons salted butter, divided

For Serving:
Pure Maple syrup
Seasonal berries

Directions:
1. Trim the crust off of the bread and slice it into equally-sized strips, roughly 1" thick.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, vanilla, salt, and allspice. Pour the mixture in a shallow bowl. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon. Spread the mixture out on a medium-sized plate.

3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium-large skillet.

4. Separate the bread sticks into two even batches. Starting with the first batch, dredge the bread sticks one at a time in the egg mixture by rolling them for a few seconds to evenly coat the bread all the way around. Shake off any excess egg mixture.

5. Place a few of the sticks of bread into the skillet, spacing them evenly, with about 1" in between (this spacing will make them easy to grab and turn). Cook the French toast sticks over medium-low heat using tongs to turn. Cook evenly until all sides are golden brown (roughly 1-2 minutes on each side).

6. Immediately remove the sticks from the pan and coat with the cinnamon and sugar while the French toast sticks are still hot, repeating until all of the sticks from the first batch are coated.

7. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and repeat Steps 4-6 with the remaining sticks.

8. Once all the French toast sticks have been cooked and coated, serve immediately with warm maple syrup and fresh seasonal berries.

Green Chile & Cheese Egg Bake Bites

Holiday preparations are in full swing, and that means busier mornings and weekends.  We find ourselves searching for protein-packed recipes that come together in a snap. These featured savory egg bake bites are just that! IN THIS ISSUE we share our favorite recipe for petite-sized breakfast bites, along with tips on how to crack an egg one-handed. 

Green Chile & Cheese Egg Bake Bites
Makes 12 egg bites

Busy mornings are the norm! We often find ourselves searching for satisfying, protein-packed recipes that come together in a snap to help us approach the day with some solid nourishment. You’ll find that these savory egg bake bites are just that -- delicious, satisfying, and easy!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons softened
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
8 eggs
3/4 cup small curd cottage cheese
7 oz can chopped green chiles
2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese (about 8 oz)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Generously butter the cups of a standard-sized mun pan with the softened butter.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.

3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and whisk to combine.

4. Stir in the melted butter, cottage cheese, green chiles, and Monterey Jack cheese and continue stirring until the ingredients are incorporated.

5. Use a measuring cup to evenly distribute the egg mix into the 12 prepared cups of the mun pan.

6. Bake until set, about 20-25 min. Let the egg bake bites cool in the pan before removing. Eat while warm or store in the refrigerator for 3 days in an air-tight container, or wrap well and store in the freezer for up to two months.

Fresh Inspiration! Huevos Rancheros for Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner

Today we’re featuring flavor-rich huevos rancheros. It’s a great dish to enjoy for any meal of the day. This classic Mexican breakfast translates to “ranch eggs” and highlights a perfectly fried egg served on a warm tortilla with black beans, cotija cheese, and fresh pico de gallo. Enjoy!

A Good Time to Have Brunch In!

There is no better time than the present to brunch . . . IN! If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, brunch is the most fun! Brunch implies a leisurely sort of day — where our schedules are less relentless and time together is well spent. Whether you spend it with family or a few good friends, we've composed a foolproof menu worth celebrating.

IN THIS ISSUE, we feature a Caramelized Onion, Mushroom, and Parmesan Quiche, Macerated Citrus Salad, and a side of Orange Poppyseed Bread.

Enjoy Bagels and Cream Cheese at a New Level!

Spaghetti and meatballs, Cookies and milk. Bagels and cream cheese. These undeniable pairings are a fact of life, and one we celebrate. On average, Americans consume roughly five million bagels a day. And we're not mad about it. Warm, chewy bagels slathered with tangy cream cheese is our idea of a wonderful breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

IN THIS ISSUE, we share the how-to for making delicious bagels at home, plus homemade cream cheese along with a few flavor variations, one savory, one sweet.

May 9, 2019 - Crepes for Mom

Happy Cooking! Kathy Magaluk and all of us at Acorn Farm