Week 6: Cinnamon Rolls

Finally some practice this week! It was a tradition in my family growing up to always have chili and cinnamon rolls on Halloween. I have continued that tradition with my owen family, except the cinnamon rolls were never homemade, they were always store bought. When I made the goal to learn how to bake bread and rolls, Halloween cinnamon rolls was part of the plan.

I used my mom's recipe, and I am happy to say they turned out great! It was so helpful to refer back to the things my mom showed me last week when I practiced with her. For instance, when the recipe called for warm water for the yeast to dissolve in, I knew how warm it should feel. I knew what the yeast should look like when it was ready to be mixed in, and I knew how the dough should feel and look like when it had been kneaded enough. In fact, the recipe called for 7 cups of flour, and I left out about 1/2 cup planning to knead it in, but the dough was still super sticky, so I added the last 1/2 cup, and kneaded in about 3/4 of another cup. I knew what the texture should feel like and I knew it needed more flour because I had worked with my mom last week.

I kept thinking about the Zone of Proximal Development as I worked today because I was doing something that I used to not be able to do at all, and then had some guidance and help last week, and now I can do it on my own! I also thought about Legitimate Peripheral Participation and how it has played a role in my learning. I grew up watching my mom bake bread, and knead and shape dough. I even helped measure things and helped with other peripheral tasks. But, until I really had the desire to observe, and learn how to bake the bread myself, I was not paying close attention. I am still learning and am going to keep having my mom give me tutorials because it was so helpful. Here are some photos of the process:

Yeast before and after. I was a little worried because the yeast didn't work as fast as it did at my mom's house, but I am glad I was patient, because it eventually started working.

Kneading the dough. Photo credit goes to my 6-year old son. :)

Dough before and after rising. I was so excited to see this because this is where I usually flop! 

Shaped, baked, and frosted! They turned out really well and I can't wait to try this again!