A Little Sweetness Goes A Long Way
winners, recipes, and a call to consume less
First, let me thank all of you for your comments on last week’s post. I’m glad so many of you could relate to being fed up with all the nonsense in the food and wellness space. I knew I liked all of you for a reason. And yes, I picked the 4 winners for a free year subscription to Stir the Pot thanks to a lovely donation by reader and StP chat king
. Congrats to Isac, Lisa M, Karen F, and Carrie! Check your dms because I sent you message to get you all set up.Didn’t win? Well I decided to extend the subscription sale to the end of year because why not? So if you still want to pull up a seat at the table, now is the time. We’d really love to have you. Let the recipes this week be a little preview of what you can expect as part of the recipe club.
This year has been A LOT for all of us. So instead of an essay this week, I’m sending you some of my favorite dessert recipes I’ve worked on over the last couple years. I am largely opposed to gift guides, unless my books are on them lol, but I will say that a little box of homemade sweets is always appreciated by the people in your life. Let’s try to get back to showing people we love them without mindlessly dropping cash. Homemade baked goods, no matter your skills in the kitchen, never go out of style. Plus, you can sneak several for yourself. Love a win-win.
Winter Nights Rice Pudding
No condensed milk short cut here. This is the real deal. The longer simmer time helps the rice release lots of starch to thicken the pudding, creating that signature velvety texture without tons of fat or gelling agents. Plus, it warms your place up and makes your kitchen smell amazing. All you have to do is stir the pot occasionally and lord knows you have practice doing that * wink*.
Cinnamon Roll with Date Caramel
I love this recipe because most cinnamon roll recipes are way too fucking sweet for me. The dates bring a caramel-type sweetness to the rolls that compliments the cinnamon so well without making you get the sugar shakes. I put a barely-there glaze on top, mostly for looks, but if you want the cream cheese-based monstrosity people usually spread on there, that’s your business. Also, I like to pour ½ cup of nondairy milk or creamer over the rolls right before they go in the oven. It helps the cinnamon rolls get extra plump and gooey. Do it with your next batch and see the magic happen for yourself. Like most cinnamon roll recipes, this one is long but your active cooking time isn’t- particularly if you have a stand mixer. I like to make them when I’m spending a day at home cleaning or something. Just set a timer and go about your business.
Winter Lemon Loaf
This one tastes so fancy that you’ll feel very accomplished despite mininal effort. I took a page from the Spork Sister’s birthday cake and added some spelt flour to give the loaf a custardy texture. If you don’t have spelt flour, more all-purpose will do just fine. You want to make the loaf a little fancier, you could add some dried lavender or rosemary to the batter or glaze or brew a bag of earl grey tea in the milk called for in the recipe before adding it to the batter.
Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Ok, one more lemon one. These are so delicious and a nice break from all the rich desserts we all serve this time of year. They take a little planning ahead since the dough needs time to chill but that’s really the hardest part. Also, do skip rolling them in cane sugar before the powdered sugar step. It gives the cookies the picture perfect crinkles you’re looking for.
Thank you all so much for hanging out with me here at Stir the Pot. I really appreciate all the love and support you’ve given me over the last INSANE year that we’ve all had. Tomorrow, paid subscribers are getting even more ideas for how to utilize last week’s freezer friendly simmer sauce so that dinner can come together fast when you get home from work. Not on the list? Babe, you know what to do.
xoxo,
Michelle
Congratulations to all of the winners, and I love that Patrick is now known as the Chat King! Long may he reign.
That Winter Lemon Loaf is so good! I've made it several times, and it's always a hit! I have friends who will give me fresh Meyer lemons, so maybe I'll try the Lemon Crinkle Cookies, too!