Hazelnut Cinnamon Buns

After reading The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore I read the second book in the series, The Cinnamon Bun Book Store. This book takes place in the same small town as the first book in the series, Dream Harbor. The female main character, Hazel, manages the Cinnamon Bun Book Store and every Sunday cinnamon buns are served in the store. She is very quiet and reserved. The male main character is Noah and he is new to Dream Harbor. He operates a charter boat and is very outgoing.

I found the plot of this book to be very cute and different from other books. I enjoyed that there was a little adventure for Hazel to go on and that she let Noah go on the adventures with her. The adventures seemed to suit Hazel and it was fun trying to figure out who was the person behind leaving the clues for Hazel.

Hazelnut Cinnamon Buns

I also felt that Hazel was relatable for me. She is turning 30 and entering a new decade. As her birthday is approaching she is thinking about her life the past decade. Reflecting on whether or not she has accomplished enough and if she truly brings conversations to the table. I feel her self reflection is something that most people do whenever they approach a birthday, especially a big birthday. I know I self reflect often as I approach my birthday.

As I was reading I kept thinking about the cinnamon buns in the story. It seemed like they were always traditional cinnamon buns. I thought it would be fun to make cinnamon buns but put a special spin to them. Her father gives her the nickname Hazelnut so I thought that Hazelnut cinnamon buns would be a fun way to represent the book through food. These cinnamon buns will go well with coffee. Although if you are like Hazel then you may enjoy tea.

Hazelnut Cinnamon Buns

Hazelnut Cinnamon buns

Ingredients

• 4 cups All Purpose Flour

• 1 cup warm milk

• 1 packet of dry active yeast or 2 1/4 teaspoons

• 1 tbsp yeast

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

Filling

• 2 cups dry roasted hazelnuts

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 tsp cinnamon

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tbsp milk

• 1/4tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1: Stir together the warm milk, yeast and 1 tbsp sugar. Let rise for 15-30 minutes. You want the mixture to be foaming and bubbly at the top.

Step 2: In a stand mixer add the flour, sugar, butter salt, egg, vanilla extract, cinnamon and milk mixture. Using the dough hook attachment, combine the ingredients on stir for about 30 seconds. Then increase the speed to 1 and let the mixture knead together until a ball forms. Place the ball in a large bowl and let rise for 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size.

Step 3: In a food processor place the two cups of hazelnuts and brown sugar. Process until a sticky, butter like mixture forms. It will take about 2-3 minutes to process to get the butter mixture.

Step 4: On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough. You want to roll the dough out until it is about 13 inches wide. You want the dough to also be about half an inch thick.

Step 5: Add the hazelnut butter to the rolled out dough. sprinkle the ground cinnamon on top. Roll the dough into a log. Cut the log into 1 inch sections. Place the cut buns into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.

Step6: Bake the cinnamon buns in a 425 degree Fahrenheit pre-heated oven for 15-20 minutes.

Step 7: While the cinnamon buns are baking make the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar and milk with a whisk until thick and smooth. Then add the vanilla.

Step 8: Drizzle the glaze on top of the cinnamon buns. Enjoy these Hazelnut Cinnamon Buns.

Hazelnut Cinnamon Buns