Give Cooking A Chance

I truly believe that, even after 7 years of marriage, the words "Honey, I made dinner!" coming from my mouth still strike fear into my Country Boy's heart.  Let's be honest here, not everyone is cut out for this cooking stuff.  I think 'burnt' should be one of the major food groups.  We'd definately be getting all our servings of that group each day!

Up until now, city life has always solved the problem of cooking meals.  The typical question posed by my husband of "What's for dinner?" received the standard answer of "Whatever you're bringing home!"

Enter country life.  If I want take out, it's going to be a 40 minute round trip.  (See, there were some things that I did not think through before buying the new house!).  This is why I've decided it's probably time for me to learn how to make at least a few things.  Let's start with breakfast and today the feature is Molasses Sticky Buns! Oh, I should also mention that I try to only make recipes where I know what all the ingredients are.  Ground cardamom?  Pass.  Cinnamon? Yes!

One more gripe before I begin.  I do not conform to the idea that food has to look delicious to be delicious.  Case in point?  Oysters rockefeller.  They could not look more vile but pop one of those suckers in your mouth and suddenly you're enjoying a little bit of heaven.  Anyhow, I also don't like getting to step 4 of a recipe and having no idea what it means and no picture to consult.  So I have broken it down here into a series of step by step instructions with a photo for each step simply because I refuse to believe that I am the only one who feels this way.  Enjoy!

Begin with two 16 oz balls of refrigerated bread (or pizza) dough.

Roll each ball into a 10 inch square piece.  Spread with butter to about 1/2" from the edges then sprinkle with the cinnamon and sugar.  (Isn't white sugar so beautiful?)

Roll them up jelly roll style and pinch the edges to seal.  This part was harder than you would think!

Cut each roll into six slices.  Trust me, they're going to get squished down when you're cutting. If you're a type A personality you're going to have to just get over it!  They'll taste just as good squished.

To make the molasses sauce mix together brown sugar, butter, water and molasses and bring it to a boil.  

Pour the sauce into a greased 9x13 baking dish then place your slices on top of the sauce.  At this point, I was amazed to see that they actually did look like cinnamon buns.

Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.  Again, I was amazed that they actually did rise!  Oh me of little faith.

Bake for 30 minutes then take it out and invert onto a serving tray...or another ugly silver baking dish, whatever ya got.  Look at that sticky goodness!

I am happy to report that they were delicious!!  And I'm sure the next time I make them it will only take the reported prep of 20 min.  It took me an hour this morning.  Here is the full ingredient list:

Easy Molasses Sticky Buns
2 packages of refrigerated dough (16 oz each)
1/3 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Molasses Sauce:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup molasses

Follow the steps above then bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for 5 minutes then invert onto serving platter

Tomorrow?  I venture into my mom's basement to find decor for the country home.