If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, then y’all know that this year has been a long one for me. It’s been 13 months since my dad’s passing and it has tested me in all sorts of ways. And while I could dwell on the on the sadness of that day, I choose not too. Instead, I focus on days like this one, with my mom. Together we made, Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Topped with Chopped Pecans.
Y’all know Texas is big so moving my mom from Houston to our small town, was a bit of a feat. In the last month though, we have finalized everything on that end, even getting the house sold. This alone takes a huge weight off our shoulders so that we can now focus on other things, fun things.
I was only home until the age of 16, before running off to chase some cowboy, so me and my mom didn’t get a whole lotta years together. Many of them she spent working hard as a single mother. So I leave, get married and really don’t see my mom as much as I’d like for the next 20 years. Sadly, it took my dad’s passing to bring us together. It’s such a very bitter sweet moment really, as I’d give anything to have him back here, but at the same time, my mom is here now and I can see her every single day….best of all, we can create moments like this one.
The last time my mom made cinnamon rolls, was with my dad. And as we were baking away in the kitchen, she would mention some of those moments and I loved that. I hope we can always talk about him openly and not get so sad. She was telling me how he loved to ice the cinnamon rolls and wouldn’t you know, I even had that picture of him (or at least his hand) pouring the icing on those cinnamon rolls….
As much as she remembers those moments, I hope she remembers our day of making them too. Sometimes she thinks my heart is on the colder side but she couldn’t be more wrong. It is these very moments that I’ll always have to remember with her. The Fall season is funny like that ain’t it? It brings family & friends together for football games, church events, and baking. It’s only appropriate that I include my hand, and even my mama’s…
I guess I sorta rambled a bit and you’re probably ready for the recipe huh? Well, as y’all may recall, I’ve been working with Fisher Nuts and they recently renewed my contract so I get to share more goodness with y’all! I could have chosen lots of other recipes to make but I thought y’all would appreciate the more personal side of me….I hope I was right. With that, here is the recipe. Hope y’all enjoy. If you want some delicious copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls, I got those too!
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 4 Tbsp. Melted butter
- 4 Tbsp. water
- ½ box instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz box)
- 4 cups Bread flour
- 1 Tbsp. Sugar
- ½ tsp. Salt
- 2 ½ tsp. Bread machine yeast
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- Fisher Nuts chopped pecans (optional, but recommend)
- 4 oz. Cream cheese, room temp.
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cup powdered sugar
- â…“ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
- Milk as needed for consistency
- Fisher Nuts Chopped Pecans (they are preservative free y’all)
- Place all dough ingredients in your machine in order recommended by your machine’s manufacturer. Place the pan in your machine. Select the dough cycle and press start.
- When cycle is finished, remove the dough, knead enough to punch down and roll to 17×10.
- Combine first 3 filling ingredients and mix well. Heat in microwave 10 seconds to make spreadable.
- Spread over rolled out dough with rubber spatula. Get as close to the edges as possible.
- Starting with widest end, roll the dough into a tight log.
- Cut into ½ to 1” slices. Place in a lightly greased baking dish with sides.
- Place in a warm draft free place and allow them to rise until double. (I turn my oven on warm and place them inside. When the temp light goes off, turn off the oven. Let them rise 20-30 minutes this way. Take out to heat oven to baking temp)
- Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. When the rolls are done top with frosting. I let mine cool for about 5 minutes before frosting.
It’s really good to read about you and Aunt Mill. It makes me miss Granma. Alot. She was the glue that held our family together. I’m glad you have this chance to get to be with Aunt Mill everyday. I miss both of you and hope all is well.
I miss grandma a lot myself. I loved her grin and I wish I could do some things over again. Miss you too Sonya. Your kiddos are adorable!
These look deliciously decadent:) I hope you and your mom had a wonderful weekend together!
Oh what a sweet heartfelt post. LOVED it…God always sends rainbows in our storms…I know so well. How precious you got to make such special memories with your mama. The rolls look absolutely irresistible. I would love one right NOW.
I so agree with you. It’s funny how I never realized that until I found the Lord but so thankful I have and thankful for all the moments I have with my mom. Our days are short on this Earth and I’d hate to not have wonderful stories to share with my grandchildren about their great grandma…..