Cinnamon Swirl Bread

We had such a funtabulous weekend. I was really expecting it to be rather quiet, since we're having a rare lull between summer visitors. Usually we catch up on work and chores, balance checkbooks and weed gardens, and other unpleasantries when we are without guests. This weekend, we chucked all the mundane stuff out the window, and just had a great time. On Friday night, we went to a late showing of Toy Story 3. I love the excitement and anticipation of late night shows on opening day. We liked Toy Story 3 so much that we didn't even finish our bucket of popcorn-and that's saying alot for my snacky family. This groovy tiger stole the show. Hiya, Kennie. I never had Ken or any Barbies, but my friend Julie L. used to pack a giant suitcase full of boy and girl Barbies when she came for a sleepover. We had a great time UNTIL I accidentally dropped her Barbie furcoat in her Barbie pool. That was the end of that. Sorry, Julie L. But the movie was marvelous, and I can recommend it without reservation for kids from 1 to 92.

On Saturday,the kids had a lemonade stand and brought in a cool ten dollars. Sailor claims she did most of the work and should probably get more than half of the ten, since West mostly just ran around with neighborhood boys, putting ice cubes down each other's shirts. It's hard to be an ant when your little brother is a grasshopper.

We swam in the afternoon, rode bikes around the neighborhood, and then built a fire in the backyard and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. You might as well set up a tent and play Uno, if you're going to pretend to camp. This tent it 26 years old and smells like the Scout Jamboree, but that kind of thing doesn't bother you until you hit middle age, I think. But it is a good place to hide and wrap Father's Day gifts. Father's Day is a feasting day- I made a grilled steak with a maple chili butter that is pure heaven, but that's another post for another day. The Quiet Man ate well, opened gifts, and had a nap and the charges only got in 12.6 arguments, instead of their usual 32.9, in honor of Dad's special day. What more could a father want? How about cinnamon swirl bread?

Well, whaddya know, we've got some right here. This yummy swirled bread was my Tuesdays with Dorie assignment last week, so you've got to click here to get the recipe. I left out the raisins, since my kids act like they might be poisonous. It was delicious fresh and hot out of the oven, but even better as toast. And even even even better as cinnamon toast.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and Father's Day.

Next Up:

June Bug:Non Alcoholic Fun Fizzy Drinks

Cinnamon Sugar Pie Sticks

Attention all fathers and children: make these for child-bearing females on Sunday morning.
The year my first little baby girl was born, I lived right around the corner from a small but charming family owned bakery. They had sinful cakes, cookies, danishes, and eclairs, but my favorite was the pie sticks. (Hmm...Maybe that's why I didn't lose the baby weight until after we moved far far away.) What's a pie stick? Pie sticks are flaky buttery pastry twists encasing a cinnamon sugar filling. They're sweet, crunchy, and irresistible.

Now, I've always made these with my homemade pie crust recipe, but just for you dads and kids out there, I made them today (with help from my two charges) with a tube of Pillsbury crescent dough. I didn't figure there were too many men out there who wanted to make homemade pie crust. Unless they are like my pesty little brother Roy, who in addition to being an excellent tease, also happens to be a highly proficient baker. (Don't tell him I told you either compliment; it'll only go to his head.) I'll include a homemade crust recipe for any of you out there who regularly shatter gender expectations. For the rest of you, (hello....are there any men out there?) use the crescent rolls and take it easy. All of the women in your life will be happy if you remember to do the dishes when you're done.

Cinnamon Sugar Pie Sticks:

Estimated Cost with purchased dough: $2.50, homemade: $1.50

1 (8 ounce) tube crescent rolls

1 tablespoon melted butter

2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar (mix 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon with 2 T sugar)

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon milk

drip of vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet. Unroll crescent rolls. you should have 8 triangles. Pinch sets of two triangles together at the seam to make 4 rectangles. Cover two rectangles with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Top with plain rectangles. Slice rectangles into long thin strips (Each rectangle should yield five strips). Give each strip a couple of gentle twists and place on the greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until browned. Cool slightly. Prepare glaze by combining powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Drizzle glaze atop pie sticks. Makes 10

For a from scratch version, combine in a large bowl, 1 and 1/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter and 1/4 cup shortening. (You can do this in the food processor if you have one.) Drizzle in about 3 tablespoons ice cold water, a little at a time to form a ball of dough. Roll dough into two big rectangles and follow the recipe above.

Cinnamon Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies

I hope you haven't forgotten all about your old pal butterscotch. When is the last time you had a "scotchie" or pudding or even a hard little butterscotch candy? Just as I thought. Poor butterscotch. He gets overlooked because of show-offs like pushy caramel and diva chocolate. Let's show butterscotch that we still love him, even though it's been ages since we've written or called. It's time to rediscover a wholesome old favorite in a classic (and easy on the budget oatmeal cookie with a new little cinnamon twist. And next time butterscotch chips are on sale, buy a few bags and keep them around.
Cinnamon Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies
Estimated Cost per Batch: $2.00

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup butterscotch chips
1/4 cup cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium mixing bowl, cream together butters and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and mix well. Add cinnamon, powder, soda, and salt, stirring well. Add flour and then oatmeal, a little at a time. Stir in butterscotch chips. Roll cookies into generous 1 inch balls. Roll in cinnamon sugar and bake on cookie sheets for 8-10 minutes, or until puffy and light golden brown. Makes about 24 cookies.