Move Over, Martha Stewart!

When I was in college, I had a roommate who used to make the most delicious homemade cinnamon rolls. She was quite a talented baker, sewer, crafter, and pretty much "all things creative" person. I remember waiting with much anticipation (and saliva) when she baked her famous cinnamon rolls. I hate to admit it, but I wasn't much help in this process. You know the story "The Little Red Hen?" Well, I was like the children of the little red hen. (Or was it the animals?) I watched anxiously and greedily as my roommate sweated and worked for most of the day. I did not plant, pluck, grind, or bake. But when they came out of the oven, I was more than happy to have her "share" with me her masterpiece.

I don't remember getting too many of those cinnamon rolls. But hey, I didn't deserve them. I didn't do the work. But the point of my story is that when she did share, they seriously were the best cinnamon rolls I think I've ever tasted.

Well, guess what? My mother-in-law gave me her old bread maker machine. I think she took pity on me because I am the least domestic in the family. Others are already little red hens, and I'm?.....well, I'm lucky to not burn the toast, ya know what I mean? Anyway, she offered it to me, and I took it. (Thanks Ann, by the way).

I haven't had much time to bake bread (or maybe it's just not a priority of mine.....I'm not sure), but last week I decided to try it out. I wanted to make cinnamon rolls. Now, I know what you're all thinking. This probably isn't considered to be "from scratch," using a bread machine and all, but listen, it's as good as I'm going to get. So trust me when I say, it's an accomplishment.

I read the instructions on what to do. The bottom line? Literally just dump in the ingredients and watch the dough appear. WHAT? Well, I did just that. I could hear the machine working (quietly even). I checked periodically into the machine to see if something was happening. I was amazed at what I was seeing, I could not believe my eyes, and then.....lo and behold.....one and a half hours later, poof, I had dough!

This is what it looked like:


So I rolled it out, sprinkled the cinnamon/brown sugar mixture on top (and chocolate chips because that's always how my roommate made it), rolled it up, and then I had this:

You get the idea, right? Cut those into little circles and HOLY COW! I had cinnamon rolls.

These are the finished product out of the oven with icing. (I don't know why the picture is lopsided.....dumb computer)....

And here are the happy faces to prove that they tasted good (or at least edible).

I even got one of Eric. (I'm not sure you can call that a smile, but I'll take it)....

And there you have it. Did you know that bread makers literally do most of the work for you? And you can even bake a loaf of bread in it by just turning it on? I'm not sure I can count it for making "real bread" or bread from scratch, but......I'm going to!

What will I make next? Something that calls for dough for sure! :)