Cinnabon Cake Recipe

I tried this Cinnabon Cake recipe a month ago and it turned out success from the first try. My kids refuse to eat any creamy cakes unlike their parents and tired of ordering one for their birthdays I made a Cinnabon Cake for my daughter's birthday. Needless to say it was gone in no time.

Besides being incredibly delicious this Cinnabon Cake looks so appealing and beautiful that you can impress everyone with your baking skills. 

Cinnabon Cake

When I posted this Cinnabon Cake on my Instagram I got lots of positive feedback and people asking for the recipe.

I spent all my afternoon yesterday taking pictures and recording and hope that it will be easy for you to follow my instructions and make the same beauty yourself.

Here we go

Cinnabon Cake Recipe

Ingredients - Dough

200 ml warm milk
2 tbsp dry instant yeast
3 eggs (1 whole, 2 only yolks) 
100 - 150 gr sugar

5 tbsp oil

500 gr flour

0,5 tsp baking soda

0,5 tsp salt

Step 1: Mix the warm milk with the yeast and set aside for 15 minutes until there forms a coating on the top 

Step 2: In a separate bowl mix with a mixer the eggs and sugar until the batter becomes lighter in color, then add the oil

Step 3: Put aside half a cup of flour for the kneading. In a separate bowl sift the flour, baking soda and the salt. Then add the batter and the yeast mixture to this and mix.

Step 4: When it becomes difficult to mix with a mixer, put the dough on your working surface and knead with the help of your hands using the flour you had put aside until you get a soft dough. Then oil a big container and the dough, put the dough inside, cover it with cling film and a towel, and put in a warm place to rise for an hour or 2.

Watch the video

Ingredients - Filling

0,5 cup brown sugar
0,5 tbsp cinnamon powder
0,5 tbsp cacao powder

4 tbsp olive oil

Raisins or Chopped Nuts (optional)

While the dough is rising make the filling by just mixing the ingredients above.

Once the dough has risen put it on your working surface, cut it into 2 equal parts.

Make balls, open each ball with the help of a roller into as big a square or a rectangle as possible, spread half of your filling on the dough, roll the dough, cut it with a knife, leaving the edge uncut and braid.

Watch the video.

Put a parchment paper on your pan and insert the 2 braids on it forming a circular cake. Don't rush and leave the cake rest and rise for another hour by covering it with cling film or a towel.

Bake for approximately 30 min at 140 Celsius degrees.

Cinnabon Cake Recipe

Take out from the oven once the face of your Cinnabon Cake has turned brown.

Melt some honey with a little hot water and brush your Cinnabon Cake with it for some extra glow and moisture.

It already looks beautiful, but you can go farther and decorate it with fresh fruits and mint or whatever you have available at the moment. 

Cinnabon Cake Recipe

I hope my instructions were clear and you will not find it hard to bake this perfection. Check my Instagram "Baking" Highlights to watch my stories.

 

Let me know when you try this recipe and tag me on Instagram @my_blog_coffee_and_camera

You can find all my Recipes here

 

                                 Enjoy.

Coffee Recipes - Dalgona Coffee

I have a sweet tooth so in order to enjoy my coffee with some dessert, I do prefer it dark and sugarless.

Coffee shop menus are really tempting but what they offer is usually too sweet and creamy for me.

I'm not a frequent visitor to coffee shops so if I do go to a coffee shop I either order something new and beautiful for pretty shots or go for my favorite black Coffee or Espresso.

Dalgona Coffee

However, it's been a while a Korean whipped coffee drink called  Dalgona Coffee has been trending on social media and I was too curious not to try it. 

It's super easy to make at home, tastes really delish, will be a perfect thing to offer your guests on hot summer days. 
It can be served both hot and cold. I tried the cold version and I already know that I like it more.

Dalgona Coffee

Ingredients

Equal amounts of  instant coffee, sugar and boiling water 
( I used 3 tablespoons for 2 glasses)
milk of your preference
Irish Cream or Baileys (optional)
Cognac (optional)

Dalgona Coffee

Directions

Whip the coffee, sugar and hot water with a mixer until the mixture becomes light brown, smooth and creamy.
You can whisk them in a narrow bowl but it will take you much longer time and more physical efforts.

Fill the glass with the milk of your preference (hot or cold).
I used my favorite unsweetened almond milk. You can even add ice. 

Add approximately a tablespoon of Irish Cream or Baileys and half a tablespoon of Cognac. 

Pour the frothy coffee mixture on top of the milk and voila, enjoy your Dalgona Coffee while stirring it with a straw or a spoon.

Optional Toppings 

cocoa powder, coffee powder, cinnamon, crumbled biscuits, honey

Dalgona Coffee

I want to thank Nanik from Chef Monkey for sharing her recipe and inspiring me to give it a try. The liquor and the cognac really made it taste special.


Let me know when you try this recipe by tagging me @my_blog_coffee_and_camera or Nanik @nanikik on Instagram.

You can find all my Recipes here.

Healthy Vegan Recipe - Banana Bread

I am not a vegan but I am seriously thinking of becoming a vegetarian. However, from time to time I suffer from iron-deficiency anemia that's why I am still studying healthy eating and trying vegetarian/vegan recipes.

Banana Bread

Everybody loves bananas in our family so we always have banana bunches at home. I love using ripe bananas in my morning smoothies and pancakes. Bananas can also be used as egg substitutes in vegan recipes. However, all the banana bread recipes didn't turn out successful with me until I tried this one.

Banana Bread - Vegan Recipe

This banana chocolate bread recipe is super simple, the bread turns out soft and fluffy and the house smells incredible.

Ingredients (part 1):

4 small ripe bananas
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of sugar 
1 teaspoon of vanilla powder

Banana Bread Recipe

Mash the bananas with a fork and add the above ingredients.

Ingredients (part 2):

1/3 cup of cocoa powder

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon of baking soda

0,5 teaspoon of Baking Powder

a pinch of salt

Banana Bread Recipe

Mix the above ingredients in your bowl, pour your batter in a pan with a parchment paper ( this is a must)  and bake in a preheated oven for almost 40 minutes or until the toothpick comes out dry.

Optional Ingredients

chocolate chips/ coconut flakes/ chopped walnuts

Banana Chocolate Bread

Let me know when you try this recipe and tag me on Instagram @my_blog_coffee_and_camera

You can find all my Recipes here

January 15 - Sweet Rice Pilaf Recipe (Armenian Easter Dish)

Day 15 - Share a family recipe and tell a story about the family member that you got the recipe.

Sweet Rice Pilaf is another dish from my childhood that I used to detest as a kid but now I love it. 

This Rice Pilaf with raisins and dried fruits is a traditional Armenian dish that is usually made twice per year: on Armenian Christmas and Easter days. It is very simple and time-saving Lent dish containing no animal source foods. So vegans must love it as it is a 100 % vegan dish. In Armenian, we call it "Chamichov Pilaf" which means "Rice Pilaf with Raisins". 

You can make this pilaf with raisins only but a variety of dried fruits and honey will definitely add more sweetness and flavor to it.

Ingredients

2 cups of long-grain rice (I use Basmati rice)

4 cups of cold water

appr. 50 grams of butter(you can replace it with vegetable oil)

salt to taste 

Filling

400 grams of raisins

dried apricots 

dried plums

pitted dates

honey

oil 

Armenian Rice Pilaf with Raisins and Dried Fruits

Preparation

Wet the rice in cold water for a few hours and then drain. (optional)

Add the rice to cold salted water and bring to a boil.

Once it starts boiling, add the butter or oil and lower the heat.

Let it simmer until done.

In a separate pan, fry the raisins and dried fruits with a good amount of oil.

The heat should be low and pay attention to stir constantly.

Add some liquid honey for extra sweetness.

Once the raisins swell and turn a golden color, turn off the heat and add to the rice.

Serve hot.

Enjoy!

You can watch a famous Armenian food blogger Heghineh's video for a more detailed direction.

Would you give this Rice Pilaf a try?

How do you traditionally make Rice Pilaf in your region?

This post was inspired by the January Mind, Body and Writing Challenge hosted by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.

January 10 - Winter Soup Recipe (Armenian Soup Spas =Tanapour)

Day 10 - Winter is a great time for soup! Share your favorite soup recipe.

The winter has officially arrived, with cold and dreary days, when you get up and go back home in the dark. Now that it is officially soup season, it's time to enjoy a hearty bowl of satisfying soup.

Can anyone explain why we refuse to eat delicious homemade soups as a kid? 

And why do we love them once we are grown-ups? 

I have simply no idea...

Out of all the soups my mom used to make there was the only one that I loved to eat as a kid and it is my kids' favorite soup as well. 

It is the Yogurt Soup ("Spas" as we call it in Armenian), a perfect heartwarming soup for the gloomy rainy days though you can serve it as a refreshing cold soup during the summertime as well. You will only need a few ingredients to make it but you will fall in love with its creamy and tangy taste. It is also budget-friendly and doesn't need any complicated cooking techniques. 

There are 2 equally tasty versions of Spas: one with rice and the other with peeled wheat. 

The only trick you need to master in order to get its magical smooth and creamy texture is to stay close to the stove and stir occasionally.

Ingredients

1 egg

1 full tbsp  flour

1/2 cup rice or peeled wheat (soaked in hot water beforehand)

1 kg plain yogurt (you can add a little sour cream as well)

20 gr of butter

chopped cilantro/fresh or dry mint

4-5 cups boiling water

Preparation

In a large pot whisk together the egg, flour and the yogurt until smooth.

Add the previously soaked and drained rice or wheat and bring the mixture to a boil.

Then slowly pour the boiling water and start cooking on high heat while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.

When it starts boiling, reduce the heat and simmer it for approximately 10 minutes or until done.

While it is simmering, add the butter, salt to taste.

Add freshly chopped cilantro/parsley or thyme once you turn the heat down.

Enjoy!

Check the famous Armenian cooking blogger Heghineh's post and watch the video for a more detailed cooking direction.

This post was inspired by the January Mind, Body and the Writing Challenge hosted by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.

January 4 - My Favorite "Healthy" Recipe - Arugula salad

Day 4 - Share your favorite "Healthy" recipe (write your own or share one with an explanation of why you love it.

It was in the summer of 2018 that I kicked off my Healthy Eating journey and made some essential healthy habits in my lifestyle. 
Since then I have replaced white sugar with brown sugar or honey, white flour with oat or whole wheat flour, cow milk with almond milk. 
Quinoa, buckwheat, and lentils in soups or in salads have been on regular rotation on our family menu. 
I have tried numerous healthy recipes and discovered that Healthy can also be Tasty:)

My favorite healthy recipe that I want to share today is - Arugula Salad. I just adore the peppery taste of these green leaves which are also known as rocket or rocca leaves. 

Similar to other greens such as spinach or kale, arugula has lots of health benefits. It helps to prevent heart diseases, boosts the immune system and aids in weight management.

This salad is super simple, super light and needs the minimum of time (especially if you buy the greens washed).

Ingredients

arugula leaves (washed and drained)

fresh mushrooms (sliced)

cherry tomatoes

pomegranate seeds

walnuts (soaked in water to be more tender)

kiwi  or  mango  or pomelo pieces 

parmesan cheese (optional)

Sauce 

ketchup

mayonnaise

mustard

lemon juice

Another Sauce Option 

Balsamic Vinaigrette

olive oil

lemon juice

black pepper

Just place all the ingredients on the bowl and serve immediately. 

This salad is best eaten fresh on the same day.

Enjoy.

For more on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle and lose weight, read  How to Lose Weight and Maintain it after Losing 

This post was inspired by the January Mind, Body and Writing Challenge brought by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.

December 29 - A New Year Appetizer - Meat Crepes Recipe

Day 29 - Create a recipe post for your favorite appetizer for New Year's Eve

It is a tradition in any Armenian Family to make Meat Crepes for the New Year.

 It is originally a Russian dish "Blinchik" and is made with different fillings but it is widely used in Armenia, especially the one with ground meat filling.

 There are various recipes for the dough and you may need to keep trying it a few times to find the ideal consistency to get thin and soft crepes. But it's worth the try.

This appetizer is usually made once a year that's why the smell of it always revives my New Year memories and takes me back to my childhood.

Meat Crepes  (Mom's Recipe)

Dough

3 eggs

1 litre of full fat milk

2 cups of sifted flour

3 tablespoons of oil

1/4 teaspoon of baking soda

half a teaspoon of salt

half a teaspoon of sugar

Filling

500 grams of ground beef

1 medium onion

spices (red pepper, black pepper, salt)

butter or vegetable oil

chopped parsley (optional)

For a detailed preparation, I want to share a famous Armenian Blogger Heghineh's Video below. 
She has hundreds of Armenian Dishes recipes and gives you all the tips and secrets of making tasty dishes.



This post was inspired by 31-Day Blog Challenge hosted by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog.

Decemeber 18 - Savory Recipe - Russian Soup Borscht

Day 18 - Create a recipe on your favorite holiday savory food

Borscht is not something you put on the holiday table for your guests. This is rather a comfort dish for cold holiday days to enjoy with your family around a table. 

It's both nutritious and healthy and so appetizing with its ruby color that all the family will enjoy eating it.

Russian Soup Borscht(meatless version)

There are numerous versions of Russian/Ukranian borscht recipe and it is traditionally made with beef but I like the vegan version more and usually make it without meat.

My kids absolutely love it so it is on a regular rotation at our house.

Ingredients:

. 3 medium beets (peeled and grated)

. 2 medium carrots (peeled and grated)

. 1 medium cabbage (finely chopped)

. 2 medium potatoes (cut into bite-size pieces)

. 1 onion (finely chopped)

. white vinegar

. tomato paste (3 tbsp)

. parsley (chopped)

. vegetable oil

. salt to taste

. bay leaves for additional flavoring

Directions

In a large saucepan heat the chopped onions with some vegetable oil until golden color.

Add the chopped cabbage and saute it with some water until tender. 

Add the grated carrots and the beets and saute by constantly stirring or shaking the saucepan with the lid closed.

Once tender, add the rest of the water or the broth.

Add the chopped potatoes, the tomato paste, the vinegar, the bay leaves and the salt. 

Bring to a boil then cover and simmer until ready. 

Turn off the heat and add some chopped parsley or dill.

Season it with a tablespoon of sour cream when serving.

Enjoy

If you make this recipe, just let me know in the comments below by sharing with a link. I would like to check on your photos.

This post was inspired by Linda Jean from Witte's World Blog and her 31-Day Blog Challenge.