Did you know that cinnamon is actually good for your health?  For instance, studies have shown that 1/2 tsp of cinnamon a day can help lower LDL cholesterol, has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, and studies have shown that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar benefitting people with Type 2 diabetes.   Health and diabetes research is close to Mary Beth’s heart so we are proud to present her latest recipe.

Cinnamon Tea Ring

Ingredients
Have softened butter on hand
Stir together the following til blended:
                                                            2 & 1/2 cups very hot water
                                                            2/3 cup sugar
                                                            1 & 1/2 tsp salt
                                                            1 pkg dry baker’s yeast
                                                            Then stir in the following til blended:
                                                            2 eggs
                                                            2/3 cup melted butter
                                                            1 cup instant mashed potatos (or leftovers if you have them!)
                                                            Then stir in the following til blended:
                                                            4 cups whole wheat flour
                                                            Then stir in the following til blended:
                                                            3-6 cups unbleached white flour – stir in enough flour until a stiff dough forms.  Turn the dough out onto a floured countertop, scraping the bowl.  Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, adding flour as needed, about 8-10 minutes.  Return the kneaded dough to the bowl, well oiled.  Turn the dough over so that the top is well oiled.  Let rise until doubled in bulk in a nice warm place free of drafts (1-2 hours).

Directions
Punch down the risen dough.  Turn out onto a large cutting board and divide into 3 even dough balls.  Take each dough ball and pat it out with your hands to a nice even 14″ x 10″ rectangle.  Evenly spread softened butter generously over the rectangle, leaving the 14″ edge furthest away from you, unbuttered.  Generously sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over the butter.  Starting with the 14″ side closest to you, roll up the rectangle so that you have a 14″ long roll.  Seal the unbuttered edge to the roll by pinching the dough together.

Put the dough ring in the bottom of a well greased (Pam-ed) angel food cake pane, spring form pan, bundt pan, or maybe a 9″ pane with an oven proof custard cup in the center.

Bring the edges of the dough ring together around the center post of the baking pan and seal the edges of the ring together by pinching.  Using clean kitchen scissors, snip the tea ring about 3/4 of the way to the bottom, every 1-2 inches, making 11 cuts for 12 pieces.

Repeat this shaping procedure with the remaining dough balls.

Place in a draft free, warm area and allow to rise until at least doubled in bulk (1-2 hours).

Bake at 365 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden brown.  Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.  With oven mitts, quickly turn the dough out onto a dish, and then quickly invert onto another serving dish.  Allow to cool completely and ice.

Icing

Boil together 5 tbsps milk, 5 tbsps sugar, and 5 tbsps butter.  Stir in enough confectioner’s sugar to attain an icing that flows but is not runny.  Generously ice the tea ring tops, allowing the icing to run down the sides until they look pretty to you.

Enjoy!

We are happy to introduce three more employees to our team in efforts to keep providing continuous professional service!

Andrea Campbell and Josie Fine have been hired for our in house processing/customer service.  They come to us with wonderful customer service skills and awesome office experience.  They have already been a delight to work with.

Derrik Trump is our newest inspector to the team.  Derrik comes to us with past experience of working with Pulte Homes and Beazer Homes.  He has shown a vast knowledge for home inspections and has a great attitude when working with clients that attend the inspection. 

Feel free to welcome them to the team when calling or attending an inspection!