Sticky buns!

Whew! Baking leads to a whole new level of stress. When cooking, you can say "that looks about like two tablespoons of olive oil", but when baking, you have to know if the water is 120 or 115 degrees or you'll kill your yeast. I started baking maple-pecan sticky buns this morning around 10:30. I made a couple batches of yeast just to make sure things went well. The recipe was easy to follow, but it did take a while. I use a trick of keeping the rising dough in a semi-warm oven to make sure it rises in this freezing cold house. I did manage to exploded butter in the microwave about 1:30 and finished the buns just before 3pm. They came out looking beautiful and were definitely sticky - I brushed my teeth twice after eating to make sure I got it all off. They were much flatter and wider than other sticky buns I've seen, but would impress any weekend guest you might have over.

Cooking today reminds me why it is a good thing I am not a parent. I've fought the "stay off the counters" war too long with my two cats. They are bad boys and live to do what we don't want them to do. Today they ran me down and I couldn't fight any longer (much like the brats who scream in the store long enough to harass their poor mothers into buying whatever it is they want). I've posted a photo of Riker in the cabinet. I was busy mixing things, and checking temperatures, when I turned around to discover him where I store my glass bowls. Next is one of the two of them jumping down after dad made a noise to get them out of the kitchen.

Scott declared the buns better than cinnebon which made me think that the next time I made them, I will probably whip up some simple icing to pour on top for those who like it. The lemon zest added a nice touch. I don't normally like citrus in my desserts, but it was subtle enough to add a nice hint of flavor to the sweet buns.

On to roast chicken, I think I might prep the ingredients for tomorrow tonight, just so there will be less chopping to do tomorrow. Right now, it is time for a nap. :)