Homemade Croutons

These are so easy.  They are really worth making as they come out light and full of flavour.  Great in a salad or on soup but we even eat them as a snack!

Here's what you'll need:

a few slices of day old bread cut into cubes
about 1/4 cup of butter
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. garlic seasoning ( I use Club House Garlic Plus)

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Place bread cubes on baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes or until they start to lightly brown.  Melt butter and olive oil in frying pan until bubbly and add garlic powder and garlic seasoning; then toss in toasted bread cubes.  Toss to coat and place on paper towel lined plate to cool.

Note:  I have used all different breads including regular and whole wheat sliced bread.  But I do prefer slicing my own with breads such as Italian, French, Sourdough or my favourite Calabrese from the bakery section of the supermarket.

Cinnamon Buns

Stevie just loves, loves, looooooves cinnamon buns. If he had it his way he would eat them everyday. But since they're no the best for you, I make them only once in awhile for a treat on the weekend. I have tried the Cinnabun version, but always go back to my old standby classic.

Cinnamon Buns

Dough:
2 pkgs. active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup warm 1% milk
2/3 cup Becel margarine
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
7 cups of all-purpose flour

Filling:
1/2 cup Becel margarine
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 tbsps. cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter

Glaze:

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1% milk, added by tbsps.; just to make a spreadable glaze

In large bowl; mix warm water, warm milk, sugar and yeast. Set aside.
In bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment; mix margarine, salt and eggs stirring well to combine; add yeast mixture mixing well. Add half of the flour and beat until smooth, then add remaining flour, switching attachment to dough hook half way through,(it will be sticky). Knead for 5 minutes.
Place in well greased bowl, cover and let rise until double in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down and let rest 5 min.
Roll out on floured surface to a 16 by 20 inch rectangle.
Spread dough with the 1/2 cup of margarine.
Mix together sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle 3/4 of mixture over dough.
Roll up jelly roll fashion and pinch edge together to seal.
Cut into 18 slices.
Coat bottom of 2-9x13in. baking pans with the 1/2 cup of melted butter. Sprinkle with remaining sugar/cinnamon mixture.
Place 9 cinnamon rolls in each pan, cover and let rise in warm place 45 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake 25-30 minutes until nicely browned. Cool slightly.
Prepare glaze and spread over rolls. Enjoy!!