Rock, Cinnamon Roll, and Remember

There is nothing like fresh, warm cinnamon rolls on a Sunday morning - especially when I did have to make them. Lucky for me, I married a master baker - this man makes a pie crust to die for. Second only to his crust, are his cinnamon rolls. His technique has taken years to perfect, but the basic recipe itself comes once again from good old Betty Crocker. Now, he got his first taste of Betty in the 1982 hardcover "New and Revised Edition, Including Microwave Recipes", a Christmas gift from his mother when he moved into his first apartment. Ironic, since his mother does not stand alongside the great cooks of the world, and the reason he has such a baking talent is because starting at the age of 12 he was making his own birthday cakes. And the whole microwave thing makes me laugh because  in 1982, I only knew one family (not mine as we were still hooked on classics with the crock pot) with microwave, an Amana Radar Range that was controlled by turning dials. I thought it was the most amazing thing ever. But I digress, back to the cinnamon rolls. As I said, these tasty treats took years of practice,  and quite a bit of study at Cinnabon locations in airports around the country whenever he was waiting for flight. But the hard work and perseverance has paid off and today we enjoy delicious cinnamon rolls regularly.

"Rock, Roll, and Remember" one of my radio faves. We used to listen to this nostalgic radio show on Saturday nights while at my sister's cottage - no TV, not a single luxury, just a radio that had a coat hanger for an antenna. But the dreamy voice of Dick Clark, America's teenager, came through loud and clear. Now, I loved American Bandstand and  New Year's Rockin' Eve as much as the next girl, but when it comes to Dick Clark productions, the radio show takes the cake. He would play oldies, but goodies, along with his own personal stories and little nuggets of trivia about the singers and groups, usually focusing one particular year or artist each week. From one hit wonders of the British Invasion to the best of 70s soul music, Dick Clark had it all. On any given show you'd learn little factoids such as the O'Jays (think "Love Train") were natives of  Canton, Ohio. Or, an artist profile of Dion of Dion and the Belmonts (think "Teenager in Love") revealed that as it turns out that he really wanted to be a hard rocker instead of a pop tart. Who knew? Well, our National Treasure Dick Clark, that's who.

The Recipe:

Sweet Roll Dough
1 package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup margarine
1 egg
4 cups all-purpose flour (use a little bread flour if you have it)
Betty gives the "by hand" instructions, but in our house it bread machine all the way. So, add yeast, warm water and the rest of the ingredients, turn it on, walk away. Return after the dough has risen.

Cinnamon Rolls
Sweet dough
4 tblsp butter (ever so slightly softened so it is easily spreadable)
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
2 to 4 tsp cinnamon (depending on taste)

Roll dough into a rectangle on a lightly floured surface; spread with butter. Mix sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll up tightly, beginning with the longest side. Pinch edge of dough to seal well. Cut into 1 1/2 inch slices. Place slightly apart in a greased 9x13 pan. Let rise until double, about 40 minutes.
Heat oven to 375 degrees. bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 12 rolls.