Christmas!!!

I should have scheduled these posts way far ahead! Maybe next year, I'll do just that, so I can enjoy replying to comments instead of trying to add content. Live and learn!

First, I'm thoroughly enjoying my Christmas so far. We did our family tradition of watching The Muppet Christmas Carol last night, (and my son's girlfriend joined us.)

Right Now, my four teens are on the floor of the living room trading the Magic the Gathering cards that Santa left for them. They haven't even started opening their other presents, but that's the way we've always done it. I think we open presents one or two at a time, all day, or sometimes over the course of two or three days because people used to drop by, or we'd get to playing and lose track of time. 

When the kids were little and went to bed early, I made overnight cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning breakfast (the recipe is at the end of this post). Last night I opted out--I was still wrapping gifts, and we got a late start! I'll probably make them for New Year's instead. 

This is DAY TWELVE

of the GREAT HOLIDAY ZAMFEST!
what's in it for you?

Welcome to the twelve days of ZAMfest All you have to do is comment to enter the daily drawing and I'll pull a new name from the hat each night to win an ebook from my backlist. The TWELFTH day will be Christmas, that's when I'll put the name of anyone who leaves me a comment on all twelve blogs, into a drawing and one very lucky person will win the grand prize-- a $50 dollar Amazon Gift Card. If you're new to the ZAMfest, it's not too late to go back and comment on earlier blogs. Good Luck! I'll be picking my winner tomorrow, on the twenty-sixth, and I'll post to let everyone know who it is. If I've failed to get in touch with you and you've won something, never fear, I'll take care of the rest of business tomorrow.

DAY eleven's winner is Judi, arella3173, I'll be contacting you to see which ebook you'd like!

Thanks for playing along! I've been wanting to say, I've missed a couple of days of replying to comments, wow, with christmas this close, I had to finally stop procrastinating and go out shopping. I've dragged home the feasting foods, and caught up with some of my last minute presents, but still, I'm not quite through yet! That doesn't mean I don't love and cherish each and every comment! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Sending you the most heartfelt, warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season,

~ZAM~

Bon Appétit | March 2008
Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze

by Molly Wizenberg

Yield: Makes 18 servings Dough: 1 cup whole milk 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 1/2 cups (or more) unbleached all purpose flour, divided 1/2 cup sugar 1 large egg 2 1/4 teaspoons rapid-rise yeast (from 2 envelopes yeast) 1 teaspoon salt Nonstick vegetable oil spray Filling: 3/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature Glaze: 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract For dough: Combine milk and butter in glass measuring cup. Microwave on high until butter melts and mixture is just warmed to 120°F to 130°F, 30 to 45 seconds. Pour into bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Add 1 cup flour, sugar, egg, yeast, and salt. Beat on low speed 3 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl. Add 21/2 cups flour. Beat on low until flour is absorbed and dough is sticky, scraping down sides of bowl. If dough is very sticky, add more flour by tablespoonfuls until dough begins to form ball and pulls away from sides of bowl. Turn dough out onto lightly floured work surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if sticky, about 8 minutes. Form into ball. Lightly oil large bowl with nonstick spray. Transfer dough to bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 2 hours. For filling: Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Punch down dough. Transfer to floured work surface. Roll out to 15x11-inch rectangle. Spread butter over dough, leaving 1/2-inch border. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over butter. Starting at 1 long side, roll dough into log, pinching gently to keep it rolled up. With seam side down, cut dough crosswise with thin sharp knife into 18 equal slices (each about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide). Spray two 9-inch square glass baking dishes with nonstick spray. Divide rolls between baking dishes, arranging cut side up (there will be almost no space between rolls). Cover baking dishes with plastic wrap, then kitchen towel. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until almost doubled in volume, 40 to 45 minutes. Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Bake rolls until tops are golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and invert immediately onto rack. Cool 10 minutes. Turn rolls right side up. For glaze: Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth. Spread glaze on rolls. Serve warm or at room temperature.