Old Fashioned Sweet Dough Food

BASIC RICH SWEET YEAST DOUGH

Steps:

• (Icing may be doubled and used for any cake or bun icing).
• Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water and set aside until foamy.
• Heat milk, shortening, sugar and salt to melt shortening.
• Cool to warm and add yeast mixture, egg yolks and whole eggs.
• Beat well by hand.
• Gradually beat in by hand 6 cups of flour and the cardamom.
• Knead well on a floured surface only adding additional flour to make a smooth and elastic dough.
• Place dough in an oiled bowl, turn to coat with oil and cover and let rise double in volume.
• Punch down and cover dough and refrigerate overnight in large bowl.
• When ready to use, punch down and knead briefly to warm up dough.
• Use dough as you wish for coffee cakes, sweet breads, buns, etc.
• You may divide dough into 6 buns, or 4 equal pieces to make 4 small loaves or braids.
• If braiding, divide each piece into 3 loose strands and braid and tuck under ends.
• Brush with melted butter.
• Place on baking sheets/pans and let rise double in volume.
• Bake in a 350F oven about 30 minutes or golden and tested done.
• Remove from pans/baking sheet to cool on rack.
• Mix icing ingredients and drizzle over warm cake/bread.
• Yield: approx.
• 6 buns, 4 small braids, or 2 large loaves.

GRAMMA'S OLD-FASHIONED CINNAMON SWEET ROLLS

Steps:

• In a liquid measuring cup, heat milk/water to "wrist-warm" (do NOT boil; just warm).
• Add yeast and 2 tablespoons of the sugar (you'll use the rest in the next step). Stir the yeast and sugar; let this "work" for about 5 or 10 minutes. You should have some bubbly, frothy stuff in the cup when you return. (If not--your yeast is no good, dump it out and get better yeast.).
• Pour yeast-milk into mixing bowl, and add remaining sugar, butter, eggs, salt and 1 cup of the flour. Using beater, mix this mess for about a minute.
• Switch to the paddle (flat beater) or a dough hook, and add remaining flour one cup-at-a-time. The dough will form a ball, and feel slightly sticky. You may not need the entire 5 1/2 cups (depends on humidity, too).
• Fill medium glass bowl with hottest tap water. If your oven can be adjusted to 100 degrees, set it to 100 degrees. Also, if your oven has a light, turn it on; place the hot water on the bottom of the oven. Close the door.
• Grease a large, glass bowl. Remove dough from mixing bowl to a floured table/counter-top; knead for 1 minute; form into a ball and place in greased bowl, turning to get grease on all sides. Cover bowl loosely with a sheet of plastic wrap.
• Turn off 100 degree oven, place bowl of dough into oven; close the door. Set the timer for 1 hour.
• Clean up the mess BUT leave floured counter-top AS IS.
• At the end of one hour the dough should've risen to about double the size. If not, let it go for another 15 minutes (set the timer--it's easy to forget---out of sight, out of mind!).
• Gather filling ingredients: 1/4 cup of melted butter; cinnamon; brown sugar; raisins and/or chopped nuts (optional).
• Punch down the down; remove from bowl; with a large butcher knife, cut dough into two equal parts. Set one aside (cover with plastic wrap).
• Grease two 13x9-inch pans with BUTTER (no substitutes are allowed -- this is GRAMMA's recipe). :-) humor me, okay?.
• On floured counter-top, lay dough and with a rolling pin, shape & roll into large rectangle, oh about 8 x 16 inches or a bit larger, keep thickness consistent throughout.
• Pour HALF of the melted butter over this, and spread with a pastry brush, right out to the edges. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon (like 1-2 tablespoons), then a handful of brown sugar, spreading it evenly with fingers; right to the edges!
• Sprinkle some raisins and chopped nuts -- if using. Keep these closer to the long side closest to you.
• HERE's THE HARD PART: Starting at the side closest to you, LOOSELY roll away from you. Loosely is the KEY word. Tuck in any runaway raisins or nuts.
• Use that big knife to divide the roll in half in the middle. Then cut each half into SIX equal portions, for a total of 12 rolls.
• Starting in the middle of the roll (nicest shaped rolls) and working to the sloppy outside roll piecs, set them along the outside edges of the buttered pan, spacing evenly in the pan. Put the two end rolls in the very center of the pan. Set the cut side DOWN (so the top looks flat-ish). Set this pan on the stove for now.
• Repeat with remaining dough; vary the ingredients -- if you skipped raisins or nuts, maybe add some to this pan of rolls.
• Check if the water in the oven is still warm, if not dump out and start with fresh hot water. Put plastic wrap on both pans (re-use the other piece), and pop in the warm oven. Set the timer for 45 minutes. Go do something productive---clean the counter-top before all that stuff gets hard! :-D.
• When the rolls have risen to the top of the pan (or a smidgen over), remove them from the oven, preheat oven to 350. When it's warm bake them for 20 minutes; tops will be golden brown.
• Cool on a rack; then frost with a cream cheese/butter cream frosting (slather it on thick like Gramma does for the grandkids!).
• You have JUST entered the Pearly Gates!

OLD-FASHIONED SWEET SHORTCRUST PASTRY

Steps:

• This pastry is perfect for making apple and other sweet pies. Even if you've never made pastry before, as long as you stick to the correct measurements for the ingredients and you follow the method exactly, you'll be laughing. The one place where you can experiment is with flavouring. If you don't fancy using lemon zest, try another dry ingredient like orange zest instead. Or a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or cocoa powder. Vanilla seeds are great too. Just remember to be subtle and don't go overboard with any of these flavours!
• Try to be confident and bring the pastry together as quickly as you can - don't knead it too much or the heat from your hands will melt the butter. A good tip is to hold your hands under cold running water beforehand to make them as cold as possible. That way you'll end up with a delicate, flaky pastry every time.
• Sieve the flour from a height on to a clean work surface and sieve the icing sugar over the top. Using your hands, work the cubes of butter into the flour and sugar by rubbing your thumbs against your fingers until you end up with a fine, crumbly mixture. This is the point where you can spike the mixture with interesting flavours, so mix in your lemon zest.
• Add the eggs and milk to the mixture and gently work it together till you have a ball of dough. Flour it lightly. Don't work the pastry too much at this stage or it will become elastic and chewy, not crumbly and short. Flour your work surface and place the dough on top. Pat it into a flat round, flour it lightly, wrap it in clingfilm and put it into the fridge to rest for at least half an hour.

OLD-FASHIONED SWEET SHORTCRUST PASTRY

Steps:

• Sift the flour from a height onto a clean work surface and sift the icing sugar over the top. Using your hands, work the cubes of butter into the flour and sugar by rubbing your thumbs against your fingers until you end up with a fine, crumbly mixture. This is the point where you can spike the mixture with interesting flavors, so mix in your lemon zest. Add the eggs and milk to the mixture and gently work it together until you have a ball of dough. Flour it lightly. Don't work the pastry too much at this stage or it will become elastic and chewy, not crumbly and short. Flour your work surface and place the dough on top. Pat it into a flat round, flour it lightly, wrap it in plastic wrap and put it into the refrigerator to rest for at least half an hour.

BASIC SWEET DOUGH

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat milk, butter and water to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add egg and remaining flour; beat until smooth. Shape into a ball. Do not knead. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Use for Braided Coffee Cake or Coffee Cake Ring.

HOW TO MAKE OLD FASHIONED SWEET BREAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl.
• Add buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract, sugar and eggs. Stir well with spoon.
• Pour into a 9 x 5 bread pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 45 to 50 minutes or until center tests done.
• Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan.

SWEET POTATO PIE

Steps:

• Prepare and roll out the pie crust. Transfer it to a standard 9-inch pie dish. Trim the edges and fold under themselves before crimping with your fingers or a fork. Cover the crust with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 day.
• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
• To prepare the filling, scrub and peel the sweet potatoes. Then, dice into large, 3-inch chunks.
• Place chunks in a large pot and cover with cool water. Bring the pot to a boil, and then reduce the heat to medium. Let simmer until the potatoes are tender and pierce easily with a thin knife, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Drain the potatoes into a colander, transfer back into the pot, and mash. Measure out 2 cups, which is the amount that you need for the pie, and reserve any extra for another recipe.
• To the same pot, add the brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, salt, butter, and 5 ounces (1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons) of the evaporated milk. Place the pot on the stove and cook on low, for about 5 minutes, mashing the potatoes further as they cook.
• To make the silkiest possible pie, use an immersion blender to puree until totally smooth; you may also transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor. Once the mixture is smooth and smells very fragrant, remove from the heat and let cool in the pot.
• While the sweet potato mixture cools, whisk together the remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (5 ounces) evaporated milk, granulated sugar, eggs, bourbon, and vanilla extract, in a separate bowl, until totally smooth. Carefully pour the egg mixture into the warm sweet potato mixture and stir until evenly and smoothly combined.
• Remove the crust from the refrigerator, pour the prepared filling into the pie crust, and then gently place the pie dish on a baking sheet. Bake the pie for 10 minutes at 375 degrees F, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and continue baking until cooked through; about 50 minutes. Check the pie periodically. If the crust is browning more quickly than you would like, shield it, then continue baking as directed. When the pie is ready, remove, and let cool completely.*
• Meanwhile, heat a wide skillet over medium-low heat. Once the pan is heated, add the coconut in an even layer. Continually stir and fold over the coconut in the pan so that it cooks evenly and is a light, toasty brown; 6 to 8 minutes. Watch the pan attentively to prevent burning, then remove coconut immediately to a plate once ready. Let cool.
• Finally, prepare the marshmallow cream topping. Place the cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.** Begin beating on low speed, then slowly increase the speed to high, beating just until soft peaks form. Add the marshmallow creme and vanilla. Beat on high, scraping down the sides of the mixer a few times, until a loose whipped cream forms. The cream should be harder than soft peaks but not as stiff as hard peaks.
• Serve the pie at room temperature, with the marshmallow whipped cream dolloped generously on top, and sprinkled with toasted coconut.

OLD FASHIONED COCONUT CUSTARD PIE

Steps:

• Prepare and chill the dough.
• Set a rack at the middle level of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
• Use a large nail or an ice pick to puncture one of the three eyes on the coconut (only one can be punctured so you will need to try each until you find it). Drain the coconut milk out over a bowl. Strain it to remove any flecks of shell and reserve it.
• Place the coconut on the oven rack and bake it until it cracks, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the coconut from the oven and let it cool slightly. Remove shell (it will come away easily), then cut the coconut meat into 8 or 10 pieces. With a vegetable peeler, remove brown skin. Coarsely grate 1 cup coconut, either by hand or in the food processor, and reserve it for the filling. Process the remaining coconut until it is very fine.
• In a large saucepan over low heat, scald the milk until there are bubbles around the edges. Add the finely processed coconut. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. Pour it through a fine strainer into a bowl; press coconut to extract as much moisture as possible.
• In 3 or 4 batches, place coconut in the corner of a clean dish towel and wring out over bowl to extract all remaining liquid. (If you wish, you can toast the wrung out coconut, though it will have very little flavor remaining after soaking in the milk.) Measure the coconut flavored milk and add more milk, if necessary, to make 2 cups. (This may be done earlier in the day or even the day before and set aside tightly covered in the refrigerator.) Pour into a bowl and whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla and nutmeg and the reserved coconut milk. Stir in the reserved coarsely grated coconut.
• Set a rack in the lowest level of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Roll out the dough for the bottom crust and arrange in pan.
• Pour filling into pie crust. Bake the pie for about 45 minutes, until the crust is baked through and the filling is set, but not over-cooked. After the pie has baked for 30 minutes, check it frequently so it does not over-cook. Once the pie is wobbly textured when the pan is gently shaken, remove it from the oven; it will continue to cook for a few minutes longer after it is removed from the oven. If the pie is over baked, it will be heavy and watery. Cool the pie on a rack.
• To mix the dough by hand, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl and stir well to mix. Cut butter into 1-tablespoon pieces and add to dry ingredients. Toss once or twice to coat pieces of butter. Then using your hands or a pastry blender, break the butter into tiny pieces and pinch and squeeze it into the dry ingredients. Occasionally reach down to the bottom of the bowl and mix all the ingredients evenly together. Continue rubbing the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible. Beat the egg(s) in a small bowl and pour over the flour and butter mixture. Stir in with a fork until the dough begins to hold together, but still appears somewhat dry. Scatter a teaspoon of flour on the work surface and scrape the dough out onto it. Press and knead the dough quickly 3 or 4 times, until it is smooth and uniform.
• To mix the dough in the food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt and baking powder in work bowl fitted with metal blade. Pulse 3 times at 1-second intervals to mix. Cut butter into 1 tablespoon pieces and add to work bowl. Process, pulsing repeatedly at 1-second intervals, until the mixture is fine and powdery, resembles a coarse-ground cornmeal and no large pieces of butter remain visible, about 15 pulses in all. Add the egg(s) to the work bowl and pulse ten times or so, until the dough forms a ball. Scatter a teaspoon of flour on the work surface and scrape the dough out onto it. Press and knead the dough quickly 3 or 4 times, until it is smooth and uniform. Press the dough into a disk (two equal disks for the larger amount of dough). Sandwich the disk(s) of dough between two pieces of plastic wrap and press it into a 6-inch circle. Refrigerate the dough until firm, or until you are ready to use it, at least 1 hour.
• Storage: Keep the dough in the refrigerator up to two days, or freeze it double-wrapped in plastic. Because the dough is thin, it will defrost quickly at room temperature when you intend to use it.

OLD FASHIONED POTATO CANDY

Steps:

• Combine cooked potato, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl, until the mixture forms a putty-like dough.
• Dump the candy dough onto wax paper sprinkled powdered sugar.
• Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangular shape.
• Trim to form straight edges.
• Spread an even layer of peanut butter across the top.
• Slowly roll the candy from one short edge to another.
• Wrap with the wax paper and chill until firm.
• Slice rolled potato candy and enjoy!
• Roll excess candy dough back into a ball.
• Pinch off small balls and shape to resemble tiny potatoes.
• Coat with unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Chill to firm or enjoy right away.

OLD FASHIONED NUT BREAD

Steps:

• Make a batch of sweet dough. I make it from scratch but there are store brands that are good. This part is critical. On a large surface, put a table cloth or other cloth, sprinkle it liberally with flour. Place the dough in the center and working outward, roll the dough as thin as possible. Then with the flat of your hands, turned up, from the center out, gently pull the dough and make it even thinner. If any portion breaks, pinch it back together. When it is as thin as possible, cover for 1/2 hour.
• Grind the walnuts in a meat grinder or food processor. Place them in a bowl. Add enough evaporated milk to make a nutty paste, not too thin but spreadable. With a tablespoon, apply the nut paste to the dough, leaving an inch or so free of the paste.
• Then, add 'dots' of butter or margarine over the nut paste. Then sprinkle the Cinnamon on top of the mix.
• Finally, roll the dough with your hands into shape, a long roll, which you will then place in a heavy skillet or heavy baking pan at least 9 x 9 into a spiral shape (depending on the size of the roll, may need 2 pans). Bake in a 375 degree oven, preheated, for about one hour, until the top is a nice medium to darker brown. After removing from oven, brush top with melted butter to soften the crust. When it cools, wrap tightly in foil wrap. This bread will easily last ten days if wrapped tightly after each use. Best when sliced thin but to each his own. :)