Sticky-buns. Serpent and Dove.
An unlikely combination… but very real thanks to Shelby Mahurin’s book Serpent and Dove. However, I am biased as YA fantasy is my niche and absolute love. To say it not so lightly this book is absolutely incredible. I could be on my roof screaming to the neighbors that they need to pick up this book immediately. I would even happily lend my own copy of the book (so long as it is not returned doggy-eared).
Nonetheless, this book is complete with magic witches, unlikely lovers, adventure and suspense to put all other authors right out of business this novel comes together without being super cliché and expected! To explain the book, imagine: an incredibly Christian zealot, also the captain of a bunch of knife wielding men (aka Reid) meets the entire meaning of a confident and strong yet vulnerable and realistic young woman Lou. We love her. I love her.
Lou who is totally enamored with sticky-buns. Yes, you did indeed read this correctly. To truly EXPERIENCE the apparent love that is a gooey-sugary-dough with pecans, I decided to take it upon myself and take one for the team by creating my own VEGAN STICKY-BUNS. Have no fear, because I will be sharing my experience and journey for you to follow! Note: the sticky buns within Serpent and Dove were more than likely ~not vegan~ however, desperate vegan craving times call for desperate sticky-bun recipe changes.
To begin my adventure with utmost preparation I underwent EXTENSIVE preliminary research. You know, by Googling everything! I learned about dough and the magic that is called yeast, baking in general, and how to get a nice moist result.
I found that the key to a successful baked item such as sticky-buns is to err on the side of caution on the time in the oven, meaning use a little less time than called for.
Following my sponge like knowledge session I proceeded to the grocery store. Playing dark academia-esque piano music, as it is a proper way to set your mind to the fact that you WILL be creating a masterpiece of a sticky-bun, I drove feeling rather superior and confident.
This is a necessary aspect of baking. Confidence is key! For the recipe I need to procure these following ingredients (provided by minimalistbaker.com):
“DOUGH
1 cup Unsweetened Original Almond Breeze almond milk
3 Tbsp vegan butter
1 packet rapid-rise (instant) yeast (1 packet yields ~ 2 1/4 tsp)
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 - 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (I mixed all-purpose and whole-wheat pastry 2:1)
FILLING
1/4 cup vegan butter (melted)
1/2 cup brown sugar OR granulated sugar
1/2-1 Tbsp cinnamon
STICKY GLAZE
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup vegan butter
1/2 cup pecans (chopped)”
After I gathered my materials I began with activating the yeast, creating the dough and letting it double in size. It became twice the size that it had been before! Now this is quite an uninteresting thing for someone who bakes regularly, however I do not fall into that category as this was my first time truly baking something not from a box.
It was fascinating!
When I laid out the dough, and slapped the filling on it I may (or may not have) snuck some of the filling to just test it out. A girls got to make sure it’s going to taste good, right? Much to my own delight, it did indeed taste absolutely wonderful. I popped those bad boys into the oven and routinely went to check on their progress.
I won’t bore you with the mundane details, however I will recommend that you use this recipe! I wouldn’t steer you in the wrong direction.
Go to: https://minimalistbaker.com/the-worlds-easiest-sticky-buns/ to use the same recipe and make your own magnificent sticky-buns.
So not only had I found a book that I adored, I also found that I like to bake and I love sticky-buns. It’s such an interesting thing about books, they open doors and new ideas that you never would’ve experienced had you not taken that journey.
The first photo is as I’m flipping out my sticky buns, and the last one is the delicious result. They did not even last a whole day in my home!
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