Apple Season!

I just wanted to let you all know that apple season has officially begun! I got apples and cider from the farmer's market on Saturday. The apples are great and the cider was a little on the tart side, but I think I like it that way! I tried a new apple (for me) called the Pristine. It's GREAT! Especially if you like really sweet, crunchy apples.

Do you guys have any good apple recommendations? I'm always overwhelmed with the number of choices...

In other news, I think corn season is ending... (tear)

Answer.

I believe that animal crackers are officially considered vegetarian (although it couldn't hurt to check, you crazy midwesterners will put meat in anything!), but now I might feel too guilty to enjoy them.

However, I am happy to report that vegetarians and, in fact, carnivores can always enjoy cinnamon rolls. This is a great recipe for those of us who may or may not be a little afraid of yeast, rising dough, kneading, etc. A little messy, but delicious. And not as hard as it sounds.

Cinnamon Buns (makes 8)

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup packed (5 1/4 ounces) dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups (12 1/2 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the work surface
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups buttermilk (did you know you can add vinegar to regular milk and it makes buttermilk?!?)

1. Adjust an oven rack to the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush a round 9-inch nonstick cake pan with 1 tablespoon butter. Spray a wire cooling rack with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Combine the brown sugar, 4 tablespoons granulated sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoons melted butter and stir with a fork or fingers until the mixture resembles wet sand; set the filling mixture aside.

3. Whisk together the flour, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk and 2 tablespoons butter in a measuring cup. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until the liquid is absorbed (the dough will look shaggy), about 30 seconds. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until just smooth and no longer shaggy about 30 seconds.

4. Pat the dough with your hands into a 12 by 9-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle the dough evenly with the brown sugar filling, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Press the filling firmly into the dough. Using a bench scraper or metal spatula, loosen the dough from the work surface. Starting at a long side, roll the dough, pressing lightly, to form a tight log. Pinch the seam to seal. Roll the log seam-side down and cut it evenly into 8 pieces. Turn the pieces over on their flat sides, and with your hand, slightly flatten each piece of dough to seal the open edges and keep the filling in place. Place 1 roll in the center of the prepared pan and then place the remaining 7 rolls around the perimeter of the pan. Brush the rolls with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.

5. Bake until the edges are golden brown, 23 to 25 minutes. Use an offset metal spatula to loosen the buns from the pan. Cool about 5 minutes before glazing.

Optional Glaze

2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 cup (4 ounces) confectioners’ sugar

Whisk together.

(I just used powdered sugar and a little cinnamon)

A Question.

I've been wondering -
Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Emily?

I love baking with honey.

I bought this 5 lb jar of honey at the farmer's market in Waukesha for $25. With the way honey prices are right now, I was pretty psyched. The first jar I bought was $23, but I gave it to my parents because my dad loves honey and was totally eyeing it up. When they went home, they left me some cash and a note that said, "Honey Money, Honey." Haha.

Granola Bars and...Magic Cookie Bars!

I love this granola bar recipe. As demonstrated by the "magic cookie bar" incident in Voter Suite D, this recipe can be tweaked quite a bit and the bars will still, magically, taste good. Here is the general idea:

Ingredients
2 C oats
3/4 C brown sugar (I use 1/3-1/2 C)
1/2 C wheat germ
1 C flour (or use whole wheat flour and skip the wheat germ)
3/4 t cinnamon
3/4 C raisins/craisins/almonds/peanuts/etc. (I use more than 1 C)
3/4 t salt
1/2 C honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 C veggie oil (or applesauce)
2 t vanilla extract

Directions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 9x13 pan.
- Get a large bowl and mix the dry ingredients (incl. fruit and nuts). Make a well in the center and add the liquid ingredients.
- Best part - mix with your hands! Then pat into the pan.
- Lick your fingers. Yum.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, until bars are golden. DON'T OVERBAKE! This is really easy to do. After you take the bars out, let them cool a little, but don't wait too long to cut them or they will be tough to cut (especially if you OVERBAKED them).

For the magic cookie bar recipe (because I know you're all wondering), you basically do all of the above except you leave out like 5 ingredients and substitute whatever you have in your kitchen cabinet. Then you bake them in an oven in Vermont and take them hiking with your girlfriends. I think that's the part that makes them magic, because magic isn't actually listed as an ingredient...