Christmas in August
Okay, so it's not Christmas in July...I'm a little behind! But I used this title because this week Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Long, and I were guests of Suzanne Woods Fisher, an Amish author who hosts her own nationally broadcast radio program called Amish Wisdom.
If you missed the broadcast you can still listen to it. Visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.blogspot.com for more details.
The four of us had such fun talking about the new expanded edition of An Amish Christmas. For those who don't know, the collection of novellas was published last Christmas and spent a lot of time on three Christian bestseller lists. This year Thomas Nelson is re-issuing the book with the addition of a new novella by Kelly Long.
The time just flew by. I was so impressed by the way Suzanne could juggle talking with all four of us. My favorite moment came when she asked us if writing Amish fiction had impacted us in any way. I feel learning about how the Amish try to live by letting God's will influence their lives really helped me through a big life change in the past year or so. I hope you will go listen to the show and let me know what you think. And please spend some time looking at Suzanne's website. She's written fiction and non-fiction books about the Amish and is contributing a lot to the genre.
I've been working hard on edits of A Time to Heal, the second book of Quilts of Lancaster County (Abingdon Press, out in 2011). I love the story. My wonderful editor Barbara Scott calls it "a terrific read" and with a copy editor gave me some great pointers to improve it. I've been working hard on it this week...
Here's a recipe I'm including in the book. I hope you'll try it. It might look complicated because of the extra step of the starter. But it's easy to assemble and can be stored for future use in your refrigerator. I hope you enjoy it!
Amish Cinnamon Rolls
It might surprise you to find that using the Amish starter (often used to make Friendship Bread) does not produce a sour baked product. These rolls are sweet and tender and will become a favorite.
Starter (make about 5 days ahead)
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 c. warm water
2 c. warm water
2 c. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. white sugar
Mix yeast with the 1/2 c. warm water and sugar. Set aside for 15 minutes. Mix in 2 c. warm water and flour, cover and set in warm (not hot) place. Stir several times for several days. Starter should smell sour and have bubbles on the surface. It will take 5 to 10 days (fewer if it's warm weather, more if it's cool). When it's ready, put in a jar. Refrigerate.
As you use the starter, add 3/4 c. each warm water and flour and 1 tsp. sugar. Must be kept refrigerated. This is a simple sarter that is quick to make and which will keep on providing starter (as you replenish) for delicious rolls and breads.
Rolls
1 c. starter
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. hot water
1/2 Tbsp. dry yeast
6 c. flour
Cinnamon filling
1/2 c. cinnamon
1 c. white sugar (light brown sugar will produce a warm, dark filling)
2 sticks butter, melted
Glaze
4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. cream or milk
Mix ingredients for the rolls, cover with a cloth, and allow to rise in a warm but not hot place for at least an hour (two hours is even better). Turn out on flour covered surface, sprinkle with a little flour and then pat or roll to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Spread with melted butter, then mix the cinnamon and sugar and spread that on top. Roll the dough up and then slice into 2 inch pieces. Place into greased baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. After baking, spread glaze on top and eat!
Have a great weekend!
Barbara
If you missed the broadcast you can still listen to it. Visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.blogspot.com for more details.
The four of us had such fun talking about the new expanded edition of An Amish Christmas. For those who don't know, the collection of novellas was published last Christmas and spent a lot of time on three Christian bestseller lists. This year Thomas Nelson is re-issuing the book with the addition of a new novella by Kelly Long.
The time just flew by. I was so impressed by the way Suzanne could juggle talking with all four of us. My favorite moment came when she asked us if writing Amish fiction had impacted us in any way. I feel learning about how the Amish try to live by letting God's will influence their lives really helped me through a big life change in the past year or so. I hope you will go listen to the show and let me know what you think. And please spend some time looking at Suzanne's website. She's written fiction and non-fiction books about the Amish and is contributing a lot to the genre.
I've been working hard on edits of A Time to Heal, the second book of Quilts of Lancaster County (Abingdon Press, out in 2011). I love the story. My wonderful editor Barbara Scott calls it "a terrific read" and with a copy editor gave me some great pointers to improve it. I've been working hard on it this week...
Here's a recipe I'm including in the book. I hope you'll try it. It might look complicated because of the extra step of the starter. But it's easy to assemble and can be stored for future use in your refrigerator. I hope you enjoy it!
Amish Cinnamon Rolls
It might surprise you to find that using the Amish starter (often used to make Friendship Bread) does not produce a sour baked product. These rolls are sweet and tender and will become a favorite.
Starter (make about 5 days ahead)
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/2 c. warm water
2 c. warm water
2 c. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. white sugar
Mix yeast with the 1/2 c. warm water and sugar. Set aside for 15 minutes. Mix in 2 c. warm water and flour, cover and set in warm (not hot) place. Stir several times for several days. Starter should smell sour and have bubbles on the surface. It will take 5 to 10 days (fewer if it's warm weather, more if it's cool). When it's ready, put in a jar. Refrigerate.
As you use the starter, add 3/4 c. each warm water and flour and 1 tsp. sugar. Must be kept refrigerated. This is a simple sarter that is quick to make and which will keep on providing starter (as you replenish) for delicious rolls and breads.
Rolls
1 c. starter
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. salt
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 1/2 c. hot water
1/2 Tbsp. dry yeast
6 c. flour
Cinnamon filling
1/2 c. cinnamon
1 c. white sugar (light brown sugar will produce a warm, dark filling)
2 sticks butter, melted
Glaze
4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. cream or milk
Mix ingredients for the rolls, cover with a cloth, and allow to rise in a warm but not hot place for at least an hour (two hours is even better). Turn out on flour covered surface, sprinkle with a little flour and then pat or roll to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Spread with melted butter, then mix the cinnamon and sugar and spread that on top. Roll the dough up and then slice into 2 inch pieces. Place into greased baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. After baking, spread glaze on top and eat!
Have a great weekend!
Barbara
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 8/14/2010 1:26 AM 
Categories: An Amish Christmas, Expanded Edition, A Time to Love (Quilts of Lancaster County)
Tags: Amish Christmas stories
Categories: An Amish Christmas, Expanded Edition, A Time to Love (Quilts of Lancaster County)
Tags: Amish Christmas stories
Barbara, Yum, those cinnamon rolls sound delicious big time. I am going to go and listen to your time with Suzanne Woods Fisher, she is such a great author also.
Debbie
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Debbie,
They are soooo good! Hope you try them and let me know if you liked them.
The interview was such fun. Suzanne is terrific for doing the show. Don't know where she finds the time.
Barbara
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Ohhh....yummy...I can already feel these luscious rolls melting in my mouth. I'm new to your blog, and am looking forward to learning more about you and your writings.
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Barb,
So glad you stopped by the blog. I hope that you will enjoy reading it. Beth writes Monday, Kathy on Wednesday, I write on Friday, and Amy writes on Saturday. Thanks for writing. Hope you like the rolls!
Barbara
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Please enter me in the contest.
Thank you.
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