Sunlight streamed through the loops of the naked trees and reflected brilliantly off of the snow bathing my kitchen in light.
How lucky I am, I thought to myself, to be inside and not out.
How lucky I am, to have this nice big kitchen, a full pantry, sleeping children and this wicked craving for sweet almonds and cinnamon buns.
I made myself another cup of tea and put my thinking cap on. I didn't have any yeast, or almond paste...but I did have sliced almonds and I could make cinnamon bun dough out of a drop biscuit variation since I didn't have yeast.
I put on my apron, I dusted off my measuring spoons, I listened to my nose and tasted, and came up with a batch of delectably moist almond cinnamon buns.
It was so easy. Here's what I did-
You'll need:
Dough
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup buttermilk
Filling
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup shaved almonds
3 teaspoons cinnamon
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon milk
Here's what to do:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
We'll begin with the dough.
In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, sugar). Once your dry ingredients have been mixed together, cut in your butter, using your hands to mix. Once the batter is flaky, add your milk and almond extract and blend until your batter forms a smooth dough. Set aside.
Time for the filling. In a small mixing bowl, combine your brown sugar, butter, almonds and cinnamon. Mix until a paste is formed. Set aside.
Return to your dough. It's time to roll it out. Using a rolling pin, you want to create a rectangle.
Pour your filing on top of the dough and then roll into a loaf and slice (about 2 inches thick).
Place your slices in a buttered 9x9 circular pan. You want to make sure you leave space between the buns because when they cook, they'll expand and rise.
Cook for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.
While your cinnamon buns are cooking, it's time to whip up your glaze. In a bowl, mix your melted butter with your powdered sugar. Once a thick frosting is created, add the milk and vanilla extract and blend again until the glaze thins.
Once your cinnamon buns are ready, remove them from the oven and pour the glaze over the top.
Let the buns cool ten minutes before serving.
Psssst... I know I normally post healthy recipes, but this time I didn't. This one is simply indulgent and good and that's all there is to it.