Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls and May Your Days Be Merry & Bright

HO – HO – HO.  … Alright, that’s almost all I got!  Tis’ The Season, for hectic days…sleepless nights…and crowded shopping malls.  It happens every year lately for me… the never ending round of “Where are you Christmas” song playing in my head… the plastered on smile, and the “yes, Merry Christmas to you too!”  I guess for me, it’s just hard seeing everyone turn on their “auto pilot” and go through all the gestures of Christmas, but maybe lack in the emotional side of things.  I believe, it should be about family, friends, memories and tradition!  YUP, what girl doesn’t like sparkly things all wrapped up under a tree?! BUT there’s a time where you should stop… breath, and cherish the many things that are around you.  Speaking from experience, life is too short.  Try to enjoy what you have NOW, as it may not always be there!  The one thing I do LOVE about the season… it’s a great excuse to get into the kitchen and bake.  I confess I haven’t done much, with us travelling quite a bit this season in order to fit everyone in…  however…I did make sure to take some time and make these EGGNOG CINNAMON ROLLS.  They are ooey & gooey & melt in your mouth… the Eggnog adds just enough richness and moisture to the roll while the cinnamon and nutmeg adds just the right amount of spice to finish it off!

For the glaze/icing on top, you can do numerous things.  Just simple icing sugar/eggnog glazes works perfectly, or even a simple cream cheese icing to drizzle over?!  I’ll let you choose!  The best part of this recipe… split the dough in half… bake up one right away, the other…. Put into a foil pan and place in the freezer, its perfect to bring out and bake for when you really don’t feel like making a big breakfast.. or maybe when you just want something sweet….  Or… you get a craving… J

 mmmmmmm eggnog…. (and I am submitting to Yeastspotting, as this is worthy to share!)

Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls

·         ½ cup butter, softened

·         1 cup eggnog

·         ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

·         1 tablespoon active yeast

·         2 teaspoon salt

·         2 eggs, lightly beaten together

·         4 cups flour

·         1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed

·         1 tablespoon cinnamon

·         2 teaspoon nutmeg

·         ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

*GLAZE – (optional) eggnog/icing sugar mixed until desired consistency

-Melt butter in sauce pan over medium-low heat, add eggnog  and sugar stirring constantly until just warmed and sugar is dissolved.

-Pour mixture into bowl of your stand mixer, sprinkle yeast over mixture, stir, and let rest for about 10 minutes (or until foamy)

-Using the dough hook attachment, mix in eggs and salt

- Gradually add in flour until you have a very dense, yet still slightly sticky dough

-Once dough forms a ball on your hook, remove from mixer, and place on a lightly floured surface, adding a bit more flour if required, and for 1-2 minutes until dough is smooth.

-Place in a lightly oiled bowl, and cover.

-Let rise until at least double in size (2 hours approx)

- Spray a 9x9 pan and set aside

-In a small bowl, start the filling by mixing together the brown sugar, cinnamon and nut meg with a fork.  Set aside.

-Punch dough risen dough, and place on a lightly floured surface, rolling into a ball.

*if making 2 batches, spit dough in half, work with one half at a time*

- Roll into dough into a large rectangle

- Pour melted and cooled butter over dough and spread evenly with a pastry brush (fingers work too!)

-Sprinkle the sugar filling heavily covering the entire dough surface

-Roll dough tightly length wise and if desired, cut in half length wise, so that the sugared layers are exposed

- This will be a bit messy, finger licking encouraged, cut out about 4 inch pieces of dough, and either roll, or twist into a bun, place in lightly oiled pan.

-Cover and let rise another hour

**if you had split dough in half – make the 2^nd half exactly as the first round,  however this time, place in lightly oiled foil container, cover, label and freeze!**

-Preheat oven to 350F

-Place rolls into oven for 20 – 30 minutes, or until golden brown

- Drizzle desired glaze over top, best served warm!!

If you are baking up the frozen rolls, remove from freezer the night before, and let defrost / rise overnight on counter.  Bake & glaze as per above!!

Whatever you get up to this Christmas Season, make sure you take a moment to enjoy and cherish those that are around you.  Get outside.  Play.  Hug your loved ones. 

Merry Christmas!!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake (Gluten Free!!)

I love fall! – Especially the fall that happens BEFORE the rainy season sets in.  Those couple precious weeks when the leaves vibrantly change colours, the lake settles and turquoise blues and emerald green hues glisten.  Crisp. Fresh. Spicey.  What’s not to love?!? Caramel Apples to me screams fall.  The ooey-gooey caramel, the crisp apples, even better when seasoned with a hint of cinnamon and brown sugar. Mmmmmmmmm.

We were headed over to a friend’s place for dinner…first time. I ask my typical, what can I bring (asides from WINE) … any allergies… the basics… and was given the no-gluten for most of the household… for me, that’s a YIPPEE!  I love changing and adapting recipes.  Now I could of gone with the basic Pavlova (as if you’ve followed me for a bit, you know I’m addicted.) however, that’s too easy – besides what if not EVERYONE’s as addicted as me?! *GASP*  SO – I went for something a little more “fall-ish”.  Then adapted the crust to suit the household – sans-gluten!  YUM YUM.  It’s decadent.  It’s layered with all things yum. From the comments of some of my new favorite kids….I’m thinking it’s friggin’ awesome!

Maybe because it’s been a year since we’ve seen it, maybe it was the timing… however that past few weeks driving to the lake, then around the lake and home have really showcased the autumn colours.  They leaves seemed just that much brighter… the air, that much crisper.

At the same time… the wind is becoming to have a little bite to it… the evenings a little cooler… all signs Jack Frost is starting to stir…  until then… get outside.. enjoy a hot apple cider.. or 2.  Campfires seem all that much warmer on a cool Fall night…  annnnd maybe a slice or 2 of this Caramel Apple Cheesecake will get ya through the evening chill…. Just sayin’….

Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Crust Layer:

·         2 cups pecan pieces

·         1 package of Gluten-Free Pecan Shortbread cookies

·         5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

·         1 tsp cinnamon

Caramel Layer:

·         2 cups of caramels

·         1 can sweetened condensed milk

·         ½  cup chopped pecan pieces

Apple Filling:

·         4 tablespoons unsalted butter

·         ½ cup brown sugar

·         ¼ teaspoon salt

·         1 teaspoon cinnamon

·         5 Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and sliced or chopped thinly

Cheesecake layer:

·         8oz package of cream cheese

·         ¼ cup sugar

·         1 tsp vanilla extract

·         1 large egg

·         1 tablespoon lemon juice

Top Layer:

·         1 cup whipping cream

·         4 tablespoon icing sugar

·         ¼ cup caramel (you should have left over from the caramel layer, heat up slowly if required to soften)

To make the crust:

-         preheat the oven to 375° F.  Line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment paper.

-          In a Food Processor, place pecan pieces and pulse on low until finely processed.

-         Add shortbread cookies (I used Gluten free shortbread cookies)

-  Pulse until finely processed, and when pinched between 2 fingers, starts to stick together.

-  Place mixture in medium mixing bowl, add melted butter, cinnamon

-  Toss with a fork until all the crumbs are moistened and the ingredients are evenly mixed. Transfer the mixture to the prepared springform pan and press the crumbs in an even layer over the pan bottom and about half to two-thirds of the way up the sides of the pan



-         Bake for 6-8 minutes,  or until golden in color.  Let cool for about 10 minutes.  

To make Caramel Layer:

-         Place caramels into a medium sized sauce pan, add sweetened condensed milk.



-         Over medium-high heat, and stirring frequently, melt caramels and milk together until mixture is completely smooth.  

-         Pour a layer of caramel into the bottom of the crust and sprinkle evenly with the chopped pecans.  Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the filling.

To make the apple filling:

-          Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Mix in the brown sugar, salt and cinnamon, apple slices and toss well to coat.  

-         Cook over medium to medium-high heat until tender and most of the liquid has been reduced, about 15-20 minutes.  Let cool for a few minutes and pour on top of  the prepared crust & caramel .  Set aside.

-     Reduce the heat of the oven to 350° F.

To make the cheesecake layer:

-         Combine the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.  

-         Mix in the vanilla, egg and lemon juice until fully incorporated and smooth, 1-2 minutes. 

-         Spread the cheesecake filling into an even layer over the top of the cooked apples in the crust.  

-         Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. (about 30 minutes)  Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.

-         Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Top Layer and to serve:

-          Carefully remove the sides of the spring-form pan and place on serving plate

-         In your mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream and icing sugar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. 

-         Spread gently over the top of the chilled cheesecake layer.  

-         Top with dollops of remaining caramel sauce (again heating slightly if needed to soften up a bit) and swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.

-         Slice and serve!

*Cheers*!!