oops. I did it again. my cravings always gets the best of me. haha (: Well but after seeing how this turned out. I have no regrets whatsoever. Just need to include more exercising in my daily routine, and I am safe! haha.

This is a Rachel Ray recipe. When I am back in Singapore and wake up early in the morning, I would always turn the tv on and catch the Rachel Ray show. I find it really amazing how she can always whip up something delicious and she does it with interesting themes : all things that are from a bottle, or leftovers, or practically anything! Her ability to make or bake something yummy is endless! So when I decided to try another recipe for these delicious little things, and saw that she has a recipe online, I couldn’t not try it!

Sorry I didn’t manage to take step to step photos. I was busy watching tv shows as I was baking these! But I followed the recipe to the tee, and trust me it’s one you would wanna dive right in to! (:

I used two different sized pans. One is a 20X20 square pan and a 18cm round pan. I personally loved how the buns turned out in the round pan. I thought it looks just like a flower. A yummy one, indeed. haha

and I didn’t burn it this time! (: The colour on the rolls were just gorgeous! Was so happy when I took them out of the oven! hehe

So give this recipe a shot as well as the other and let me think which u prefer!

Cinnamon Raisin and Pecan Rolls (Adapted from Rachel Ray Mag.com)

Ingredients :

½ ounce dried yeast (2 envelopes)
½ cup warm water
¾ cup plus 3 tablespoons milk
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon salt
4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins + 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Steps :

1. Combine the yeast and warm water and set aside for 10 minutes.

2. Warm 3/4 cup of the milk in the microwave. In a large bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of the melted butter and the warm milk. Using an electric mixer with a dough hook at low speed, or a wooden spoon, slowly stir the dissolved yeast into the butter and milk. Add ½ cup of the granulated sugar, the egg and the salt, and mix until combined. Add 4 cups of the flour, ½ cup at a time; mix until smooth. If the dough is sticky, add up to ½ cup of flour.

3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 minutes, place in a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

4. Stir together the brown sugar, the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and the cinnamon. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to form a 12-by-24-inch rectangle. Brush the remaining 3 tablespoons of melted butter over the dough, and sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on top. Scatter the raisins over the dough.

5. Starting with a long side, roll the dough up into a log, jelly-roll style, then cut with dental floss or a sharp knife into generous 1-inch slices. Place in 3 greased 9-inch round cake pans (about 7 rolls per pan). Let the rolls rise for 45 minutes.

6. Preheat the oven to 350°. Bake the rolls, uncovered, until crusty and golden on top, about 25 minutes.