Thursday, August 26, 2010

Ever since we've started trying trying to drastically cut down on our eating out habits, I've really been missing going out to breakfast. We used to go out pretty much every Saturday and Sunday morning, and starting our weekend mornings at home is just not the same.

I did, however, discover a nifty little trick that helps me feel somewhat better about the whole thing. I really love cinnamon rolls - and really, who doesn't? - but they're kind of a hassle to make and then there are always so many that everyone gets sick of them before we eventually have to throw some out. Well, awhile back I read a blog entry about freezing cinnamon rolls and it was such a great idea that I can't believe I had never heard of it before.
The kids and I made a triple batch of cinnamon rolls, which they all thought was a lot of fun. They like to knead and roll the dough, and also add huge amounts of flour to it as soon as my back is turned.
Once we had cut all the rolls, we froze them separately on a cookie sheet, then bagged them. We ended up with four one-gallon freezer bags full!Now, once a week, either on Friday or Saturday night, I get about eight of them out of the freezer. I place them in a round pan and cover it with saran wrap, then go to bed. They thaw and rise during the night and we wake up to perfectly risen cinnamon rolls, just ready to be popped in the oven. Making the icing takes about one minute, so it's pretty much the easiest breakfast ever. I still miss going to Mimi's Cafe for their awesome Egg's Benedict, but these cinnamon rolls help me not miss it quite so much.
Another quick, and similar, note - I also discovered this works with pizza crust. Probably everybody else in the world has been doing this for years, but I am still pretty excited about my ability to make a bunch of pizza crust all at once and freeze the dough in single pizza portions. I take the ball of frozen dough out of the freezer around noon on the day we are going to eat it, and by dinner time, it's thawed and risen and ready to go. We have been having pizza a LOT lately because of this, but no one around here is complaining. Last night's pizza - eggplant and goat cheese - might have been the best ever. Yum!

5 comments:

Mom said...

Sarah, that is so clever! Looking at the cute pictures made me think you should keep your well-worn kitchen table.

Laura said...

Mmmm, I am hungry just reading your post! Such helpers you have. We love to have fresh cinnamon rolls or pizza w/o all the work the day of. We also freeze already baked cinnamon rolls so that E can have that for a quick breakfast some days. I'm off to eat a brownie before bed - those freeze well, too ;)

Katie said...

Sarah, you are amazing! I have decided we are going to start eating out for every meal. And we are coming to your house to eat it. :)

BTW, jeremy makes a huge mess when he cooks too! lol!

Kathy said...

Katie, that was funny!

Christina said...

What a great idea!!! I'm gonna have to try that!!