a bun in the oven...

2.10.2010
Amidst all this party reviewing and inspiration board promoting, you probably had no idea I've been hanging on to a big secret for 5 months... I'm pregnant! It's our first child so needless to say it's been an exciting and overwhelming couple of months. We had our 20 week ultrasound screening on Monday and in addition to learning that everything is going smoothly so far, we found out that we're having a little girl! We're both thrilled, but oh my poor husband... he's going to be surrounded by women (including the cat and the dog). I knew you'd all be happy to share in my news, and now that I'm going to be a mommy you can feel free to impart all your worldly parenting wisdom my way.

In honor of the occasion, I thought it was appropriate to post a recipe for my favorite breakfast pastry: morning buns. They're incredibly time consuming and painstaking to make, but so deliciously worthwhile... sound about right?


{image via pink stripes}

Morning Buns
It is best to make these over two days. Make the dough the first day (it can take about 8 hours), leave it in the refrigerator overnight and bake the buns in the morning. They absolutely must be eaten while they’re hot and fresh.

Dough:
2 oz. (1/2 cup plus 4 1/2 tsp. Dry nonfat milk powder
2 1/3 cups cold water
2 1/2 lb. (8cups) unbleached flour
5 tsp. Salt

Butter Block:
1 1/2 lb. (48 Tbs.) unsalted butter, cut into 2-inch cubes,
slightly softened
2 Tbs. Unbleached flour (about)

Filling:
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground clove

Proof the yeast by dissolving the dry yeast in a small amount of warm water, sugar and flour. Next, combine the yeast with the nonfat milk powder, water, flour and salt to form a lumpy under mixed dough. (Don’t over knead or the buns will be tough.)

Croissant dough needs to be kept cold. Cover a bowl with the dough in it and let it rise in the refrigerator for one to two hours, until it has doubled in size.

Next, add the flour to the softened butter by knead it into the butter. You must use the best unsalted butter. The better the butter, the less water it has in it.

Roll out the butter mixed with flour between two pieces of floured waxed paper. Form it into a 10 x 12-inch rectangle. Wrap in plastic and chill in the refrigerator. The butter should be chilled to the consistency of modeling clay. If it’s too cold it will break into chunks and if it’s too warm, it will be absorbed too much into the dough.

When the dough and butter are evenly chilled, roll the chilled dough into an 18 x 12-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Unwrap the chilled butter and lay it on the upper two-thirds of the rolled dough. Fold the lower (unbuttered) third over the center third. Bring the upper third down over the center, as if you were folding a letter. Make it into an even rectangle.

Then turn the dough 90 degrees, so the short open ends are at 6 and 12 o’clock. Roll the dough until it doubles in length, rolling toward the open ends, not toward the folds. Fold in thirds again, as you would a letter. Rotate 90 degrees again, doubling in length and fold again. After the two turns, seal the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours. Then repeat the set of two turns again and follow by refrigerating overnight. The cold rest keeps the butter from melting and oozing into the dough. If the dough shrinks rather than expands and won’t roll out after one of its refrigerated periods, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.

The dough can be frozen for future use at this point if you are now bored with the whole idea of making the buns. However, if you are up to it, take the dough out the next morning. It will be only slightly larger than when the turns were completed.

Roll out the finished dough, dust it with a mixture of the brown sugar and spices, roll it into a tight coil and cut into individual rounds. Put each round into a greased muffin tin and be sure each is firmly in contact with the bottom of the pan. (Otherwise the air in-between will burn the buns. Don’t let the dough get too warm as you are working it. Keep putting it in the refrigerator if necessary.

Now there is one more rising, this time in a warm spot. It should take about 45 minutes. It is ready when you poke your finger in the side of the pastry and the indentation remains.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. If the top starts to burn during baking, cover with foil. And put foil under the muffin tin to catch any
drips.

35 comments:

Christi Bennett @ pisforparty said...

That is so exciting! I'm so happy for you!

And yum...those sound delicious!

Caroline said...

OH yummm!! I am going to make these on Valentine's morning... what can be better than a morning bun!! MMM!! So happy for you!! xo

Save the Date for Cupcakes said...

Awww~ So happy for you! Love little girls<3 I Can't wait for the updates on your little "bun in the oven"! CONGRATS!!!

Kristy {the purple pug} said...

Congratulations! You will be one amazing Mom. What wonderful news..As for these delicious looking buns-I won't even attempt..Out of my cooking league..LOL! Congrats again. Wishing you all the happiness and love in the world.

Regina White said...

I just found your blog today and what a great thing to read. Congrats!

A Blissful Nest said...

How exciting!! We were surprised when we had found out we were having a girl. Totally thought it was a boy. Girls are so much fun to dress and decorate for. FUN!!

Queen "B" said...

Aloha and many many warm wishes of sweet happiness. I have 2 girls and 2 boys...they are the best things I have ever had the honor to be a part of. You are on a sweet adventure...Motherhood...is truly sprirtual...
Aloha wishes of happiness
Brandi

Ana Degenaar said...

Congratulations! I just started following you blog and I love it, blessings.

Free Pretty Things For You said...

OMG CONGRATULATIONS!!! i cant wait for all the updates!! :)

Michelle said...

Oh Becca, that is incredible news!! What an amazing, wonderful, crazy journey you're beginning. Enjoy every second.

My advice? Walk your own path & take everyone's 'advice' with a grain of salt. :-)

Christina Dann said...

Congratulations!! How exciting! I can't wait to see the nursery you come up with for her.

asia said...

Yay!! You're going to have a blast! Congratulations :)

Courtney said...

Congratulations! My first two are girls and girls are so FUN! I'm happy for you!

Lora Joy said...

CONGRATS!!! girls are fun! hehe... she's gonna have great parties since her mommy has GREAT inspiration boards!!!

Hannah said...

Congrats! Children are such an amazing blessing! I wish you all the best in your pregnancy and delivery! Your little girl is going to have some amazing birthday parties!

My advice from mommy to soon to be mommy is take everything a day at a time. Some days are going to be overwhelming and others fantastic but when it rough just remember "it won't be like this for long" so try to enjoy it all, and take things in stride!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Oh wow, congrats!!! A little girl...awww. My friend has a four month old boy and another friend just got pregnant, so I'm hoping to have a little girl to love all over but another boy works too. :)

I don't know if you entered the Holey Donuts giveaway or not, but if you could check out this post and do so for my blog, it would mean a TON for my family and you can enter for the book afterwards too if you wish (White Cat by Holly Black ARC)!:

http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-white-cat-arc-250-holey-donuts.html

-Lauren

Unknown said...

oh my gosh, so soooooo very exciting!!!

lil girls are just the sweetest, and PINK YAY!!!!

Allyson/HBMomof2 said...

Congratulations on your pregnancy! What a wonderful blessing to share with us. I have one of each and I have to say my girl is MY girl. The mother/daughter relationship can be tricky, but it is also one of the deepest imaginable.

There are two statements of mommy wisdom that I would share with you. The first is to find that bliss everyday. There is one moment, often fleeting, of everyday that is total and utter bliss. Someday it can be with the whole family and sometimes just you and your child, but the moment is the one that gets me out of bed in the morning. Daily blissful moments, I live for them.

The second advice is to enjoy every age. I don't try to look forward to what is next, I just want to live in the present. I don't wish time away because it does go so fast. I didn't believe anyone when they told me that and now with a 6 and 2 year old, they were all correct.

Many blessings and prayers to you and your family.

Enchanted Expectations said...

Congrats! What a blessing. Believe me when I say the mother thing will come naturaly. You are going to be even more excited then you are now once you hold that little baby in your hands

Abbie said...

Congratulations!! What an exciting time for you!

My Dream Ring said...

Congratulations to you and your hubby!!!!

Sandi said...

Congratulations!! So excited for you!
Think of all the cute girly bday parties in your future..:)

Danielle - Belleza e Luce said...

Congratulations! Little girls are so much fun! You're going to be a great mommy!

Thanks for the recipe - they look and sound delish!

Unknown said...

congratulations on your wonderful news!

Korinne Seel said...

I am "tickled pink" for you! Your little girl will have the best birthday parties! Remember that the days may be long at times...but the years are short. Enjoy every moment! :)

Mrs. P said...

congratulations!!! you are going to love having a baby girl.

momsthelaw.blogspot.com

amy & lisa said...

Congratulations!! Daughters are such a blessing! :)

Coniqua said...

Congratulations!

Candy and Cake Sugar Designs said...

Congratulations!!! What a blessing! Wishing you all the joys that come with being a Mom and many blessings!!!

I will have to try that yummy bun recipe!

Shelley said...

Congratulations!!! Girls are great (we have 3)! What an exciting time for you!
Shelley@DivinePartyConcepts

PUMPKIN PETUNIA said...

Such great news - congratulations!!!!! There's nothing like a little girl. Enjoy every moment, the first is extra special.

XOXO

Blythe said...

Congratulations! My first was a little girl too... Oh, I can't wait to see your birthday parties for your bubbas!

Duchess of Tea said...

Becca darling what a joyful news. I am so happy for both of you. And a girl, what a blessing. My Aunt Gracie has a little poem type of saying that goes

"A son is a son till he takes a wife, a daughter's a daughter the rest of her life ".

I am very happy for you darling, enjoy the moment.

Love & Hugs
Duchess

Unknown said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! This is such lovely news, I am absolutely thrilled for you!!!!

Heather said...

This is my 1st time visiting your blog. I know this is an older post, but congrats! Hope things are going well.
I would like to feature this tasty recipe on my blog tomorrow & link to you. Is that ok?

Heather
The Gift Closet
www.thegiftcloset.blogspot.com

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