Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Spring. Things are blooming, rivers are flowing, babies are being born, and the most important celebration for the Church is being planned for. It's Easter week. Our family has over the last few years started traditions for various celebrations with both food and liturgy, and a silly little one I started are "resurrection rolls" for Easter. They are hollow in the center, to symbolize Christ's empty tomb. They're fun and easy to make, and kids love them. Here's the recipe:

Resurrection Rolls

  

Frozen Bread Dough Rolls or your favorite dinner roll recipe

Large Marshmallows

Melted Butter

Sugar & Cinnamon Mixed together

1. Prepare rolls to thaw according to package instructions. After they are fully thawed but before they rise, flatten the roll to about a 3 inch diameter.
2. Place a marshmallow in the center of the dough and fold dough around it to cover the marshmallow.  Pinch edges of dough together to completely seal your marshmallow in its dough "tomb".  .  
3. Roll dough covered marshmallow in the palm of your hand to smooth it out.
4. Brush on or roll dough in melted butter.
5. Sprinkle on or roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture.
6. Place dough balls on greased cookie sheet.  Spray plastic wrap with non-stick cooking spray and cover the rolls.
7. Let the rolls rise until they are double in size.  This takes about 30-60 minutes. 
8. Remove the plastic wrap and bake your rolls at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.  Remove the rolls from the pan and cool on wire rack!
9. Tear them open to see your "empty tomb". 

Happy Easter planning everyone!

From my kitchen....

I've been trying out some new recipes this week. This was spurred on by two things; company, and my new Pioneer Woman cookbook.

On Friday night my husband had the guys over for a jam night. Since they didn't even get here until 9:00 it turned into a not getting to bed until 3am kind of thing. And since all but one of them lives close, we had our spare room available for him. I figured I should probably do a little more than offer cold cereal in the morning (or afternoon), so here's what I decided to do:

                                                                
                                                                 Maple Pecan Scones

These were fantastic! And the maple glaze brought these babies to a whole new level. For some reason PW doesn't have the recipe on her website, but you can get it here.

Last night we had some friends over for dessert and some Austen City Limits action, and here's what I decided to make:

                                                                       Crème Brûlée

Mmm.....there's not much else to say really. Other than I made a little blueberry chutney to go on top, and that I'm so very glad I made a few extra for later (yes, I see you exercise bike...). Here's the recipe.

I thought it would be good to also have something with a little texture, something a little more kid friendly just in case, and something that I could use the leftover maple frosting from the scones on. So I made these:

Angel Sugar Cookies

These were perfectly light, flaky, oodles of yumminess. And seriously, add the maple frosting. It made the whole thing. Try them.

So, I'm 3 for 3 in the new recipe department. If you haven't checked out the Pioneer Woman's website or cookbook, you must, you won't be sorry.