Step into a world of serene simplicity and homely warmth as we travel back to culinary traditions that have stood the test of time. Among these, the Old-Fashioned Amish Sticky Bun is a testament to the art of baking — a craft that marries patience with sweet reward.
The Essence of Amish Baking
Baking for the Amish community isn’t just about sustenance; it’s a ritual that weaves into their fabric of daily life. It’s an expression of love, family, and community. The Sticky Bun, in particular, holds a special place on their tables, signifying comfort and joy during gatherings and Sunday service.
The Artful Balance of Simplicity and Taste
Amish Sticky Buns aren’t just any treat. They’re a delicate balance of the understated and the indulgent. The dough is rolled with care, not rushed or hurried, but treated with the respect it deserves. It’s about precision and timing — knowing when to let the dough rise, when to bake, and when to enjoy.
Crafting Your Own Experience
Making these sticky buns is a journey through tradition. Although we won’t delve into the recipe specifics, imagine rolling out dough on a flour-dusted surface under the soft morning light. Picture drizzling homemade caramel sauce over delicately folded layers and sprinkling them with a generous helping of cinnamon sugar. Close your eyes, and let the scent of freshly baked dough waft through your kitchen.
Old Fashioned Amish Sticky Buns
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 8 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 envelope active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm water
- 5 ¼ cups flour
- 8 tablespoon butter softened
- 1 egg
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup nuts chopped optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan heat the milk. Stir 6 tablespoons of the sugar and the salt into the milk until dissolved.
- Remove milk from heat and set aside to cool. Sprinkle yeast over the warm water and set it aside.
- Put 5 cups flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. When the milk is cool, pour it into the center of the flour. Add the yeast mixture, 4 tablespoons of the butter and the egg. Stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
- Sprinkle your counter top or a cookie sheet with the remaining flour. Place the dough on the floured surface and knead until smooth.
- Oil a large bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it until it is coated with oil. Cover the bowl with a towel and set aside in a warm place until the dough doubles in size, about 50 minutes.
- In a small bowl combine 3 tablespoons of the butter, the brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of the cinnamon and corn syrup.
- Pour the brown sugar mixture into a 13”x9” baking pan. Sprinkle nuts, if using, over the sugar mixture.
- Combine the 1 teaspoon cinnamon with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
- Divide the dough in half and roll out each half to make a 12” square.
- Spread half of the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar on each square of dough.
- Roll up each square like a jelly roll and cut into 6 pieces. Place the pieces in the pan, swirl-side up. Cover the pan with a towel and set aside in a warm place to let the buns rise to double in size, about 1 hour.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350º.
- Bake the buns until they are nicely brown, about 25 minutes.
- Remove them from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Then turn the pan upside down onto a tray to remove the buns while still hot.
Reflections While Waiting for the Oven Timer
As your buns rise and brown in the oven, take this waiting time to reflect. Think about how each ingredient comes together to create something beautiful. The yeast, once dormant, now breathes life into the dough. The cinnamon merges with caramel, weaving a comforting aroma throughout your home.
A Reward Best Shared
Finally, the oven timer chimes. You open the door to a golden-brown spectacle — the fruits of your labor. But the true beauty of these Amish Sticky Buns lies not within each sugary bite, but in the shared experience they bring forth. Sit down with friends, family, or neighbors, and savor each morsel as you make memories that stick just as much as the buns themselves.
In closing, remember that while this blog post does not venture into the nitty-gritty of recipes, the heart of Amish baking is an open invitation to slow down and appreciate the moment. Whether you choose to pursue making these sticky buns or simply indulge in the idea, let it be a reminder of the sweetness inherent in simplicity and sharing.
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