Martha's (Cinnamon) Buns

1 tbsp. yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup melted shortening

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup warm water

1 beaten egg

3 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. soda

1 Dissolve yeast in water. Add shortening, sugar, water, egg. Sift together remaining ingredients and add. Stir well--I always use my electric mixer. Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours (it can sit in the fridge for up to a week).

2 Knead until smooth (add flour if necessary)

3 For buns, leave the dough slightly sticky. For cinnamon rolls, roll and spread with mixture of 1 c. brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon mixed into 3 tbsp. melted margarine.

4 Rise in a warm place for approx ½ hour.

5 Bake buns at 400 F for about 15 minutes. Bake cinnamon rolls at 375 F for 15-20 minutes. Makes 12 buns or cinnamon buns.

Chocolate Cake

3/4 c butter
2 c sugar
3 eggs
1 c all purpose flour
1 c cake & pastry
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c cocoa
1 tbsp espresso powder
1/2 c whipping cream + 1 c water = 1 1/2 c
1 tsp vanilla

350
cupcakes - 12 minutes
cakes - 15 + 3/5/8 minutes (size dependent)

Classic vanilla cupcakes (little whimsical)

1 3/4 c cake flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 c sugar

1/4 c whipping cream + hot water = 130 ml
2 eggs
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

15 cupcakes - small domes
15 minutes


Batch 2

2 c all purpose
1 1/2 c cake flour
1 tsp salt
2 c sugar

1 c butter
4 eggs
1 c warm milk
1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp baking powder

350 - 15 minutes

Buttercream

1-1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat into oblivion. Didn't like the texture/feel, so I added some shortening and more sugar. Later, added some meringue powder. Very little difference - tougher though


Batch #2
1 stick butter
1/4 c crisco
1/8 c whipping cream + 1/8 c water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tbsp meringue powder
3 cups powdered sugar
---> WAY too runny - wah! (made after cupcakes - kitchen was too hot, I think)

Batch #3 23 degrees in kitchen (feels cooler)
1/2 c butter
1/4 c crisco
2 1/2 c icing sugar
1/4 c milk
1 tsp ish vanilla
some meringue powder
---> much better - wondering if i measured the butter wrong last time

Batch #4
1 c butter
2 tbsp crisco
4 1/2 c icing sugar
1/2 c milk
1 tbsp meringue powder
1 tsp ish vanilla
---> perfect