A breakfast for nerds

Looking around the study it is clear I live in a family of Star Wars nerds. Lego droids vie for space with an R/c Yoda, several themed Mr Potato heads, a pile of books and a pretty realistic light sabre!

"Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?"

Princess Leia's cinnamon bun hair do.

Yesterday I decided to add my own Star Wars themed nerdery to the world. I've made a cinnamon filled tea ring for years now but in honour of Princess Leia's most famous hair do I thought I'd have a go at adapting the recipe to create cinnamon buns.

Ingredients (makes 12 good sized buns)

Dough

650g strong white bread flour

60g caster sugar

75g white vegetable fat or lard

1 egg

1 tsp salt

180ml warm milk

150ml warm water

1 sachet yeast

Filling

50g softened butter

50g caster sugar

50g soft brown sugar

3 tsp ground cinnamon

Topping

150g icing sugar

Enough water to create a stiff paste

How to …….

Pre heat oven to 375f / 190C

1. Place the warm water in a jug and stir in a sprinkle of sugar and the yeast. Leave out of any drafts until the yeast has doubled in size.

2. Into a large bowl sieve the flour and stir in the sugar and salt. Cut the lard or vegetable shortening into the flour and rub in until the vegetable fat resembles breadcrumbs

3. Pour in the warm milk and stir to begin to incorporate, now add the beaten egg and the yeast mixture. Using a round bladed knife mix until the dough comes together.

4. Using your hands knead the dough gently but effectively for 5 minutes or so until the dough becomes smooth and silky. The dough is very soft and “loose” you may need more flour on your work surface as you work it.

5. Make the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth. Leave for an hour and a half until well risen.

6. Knock back (punch the dough in the middle to deflate it) and let it rise again for another 45 minutes.

7. On a lightly floured surface roll the dough out to approximately 30cm x 20 cm.

8. In a small bowl beat together the butter, white, brown sugar and the cinnamon. Spread this over the dough and roll up the dough lengthwise.

9. Taking a sharp knife and cut into 2cm slices.

Place onto a baking tray and allow to rise for another 30 minutes.

Bake in the oven for 20 t0 25 minutes.

Once golden remove and cool before icing. These taste best eaten while warm!

As Jabba might say "nice buns!"

If you do happen to be having a marathon Star Wars session any time over the Holiday periods these are sure to keep the troops going through all six episodes or at a push could be used to add authenticity to a Princess Leia dress up costume.