Cinnamon Roll Cake and Talents

It is so fun having a daughter that loves to cook! Well actually, I have several children that love to cook, and it is such a blessing. Recently we have been blessed by Naomi's culinary skills. Last week she came home from work with a pan of tasty temptation! Yes, it disappeared astonishingly fast! Lucky for us, she came home with the recipe as well! Within two days, she had her own pan of mouthwatering cookery for us to consume.

There it is! Cinnamon Roll Cake and it tastes every bit as good or better than it looks! So let me share the recipe:

Buttery Cinnabun Cake

CAKE:

3 Cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 Cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ Cups milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 Stick real butter, melted

TOPPING:

2 sticks real butter, softened
1 Cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
2/3 Cups nuts, optional

GLAZE:

2 Cups powdered sugar
5 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In an electric or stand mixer mix the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in melted butter. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, mix the 2 sticks of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and nuts until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoonful’s and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.

3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center.

4. Place powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

It seems that with as many girls as I have, and their respective ages, I have many wonderfully capable cooks in my home at this time. Just the other day Breanna decided to make a cake. She pulled out a mix, followed the instructions and in a very short time (and with no help) she had baked a wonderfully moist confetti cake. Then just yesterday, Charity decided to help me out by assisting with the cake - she baked an angel food cake which also turned out delightfully well! It seems that we bake treats around here faster than we are able to consume them! Christmas baking - all those cookies and cakes made several months ago, are still being consumed, but at a much slower rate than they would have been a few years back. To me it is a blessing to have so many helping and willing hands in the kitchen. My girls are a joy and a blessing.

Now, lest my son feel left out, let me just say, that he is also very capable in the kitchen. At our house, Myles seems to be able to make the best pancakes. I taught him, but his pancakes rival even mine! Again, it is such a blessing to have his skills benefiting our family.

(These two photos are a couple of pieces of art that Naomi has done this year for her high school art class! Awesome work Naomi!)

I love how our talents and abilities support and nourish others. Food is a pretty predictable talent in that it is obvious that it nourishes others, but the preparation time ALSO nourishes the relationships of those working together in anticipation of a delightful treat or nutritious meal. Talents of music and art , friendship and love also nourish the spirit and those that we share those skills with. I have such gifted children. I think that they nourish me in some small way each and every day and in doing so, they fill my heart with pure JOY! My home is truly blessed by their presence!