Wow. I’m in shock; I can’t believe I got these almost entirely right on the second try. (Mess around with 100% whole wheat baking and you will understand the magnitude of my disbelief.) My suggested modifications for the cinnamon rolls as per my last post were bang-on. This batch was very tender all over, from the outermost coil to the delicious innards. Even the cream cheese came out creamier and smoother. Best of all, I didn’t feel like I was eating air—a sensation common when consuming cinnamon rolls made from all purpose flour. I’ve seen the light, and I’m never turning back.

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I was browsing Gourmet Magazine online when I saw this recipe for haroseth.  Not being Jewish, I have never tasted haroseth, but the ingredients set my mind wandering—what could I create with fruit and nuts?

To say I love fruit is a massive understatement.  Earnest devotee would be a more accurate description, as would obsessed addict.  This summer I absolutely went wild over the fresh peaches, nectarines, and cherries; for the latter, we actually took a 145 mile round-trip to Leona Valley to hand-pick a few buckets of fruit.  There were no leftovers.

But because I love my fruits so well and because my nutritional needs must be balanced, I am extremely picky about how I consume fruit and what kind of fruit I consume. 

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The initial test was very promising.  The roll, especially in the inner coils, was sweet, soft, and tender.  As with all 100% whole grain recipes, however, this one will require further experimentation to bring out the full potential of the dough and the cream cheese glaze.  Here are my remarks and suggestions:

1. Peter Reinhart says to bake the rolls one inch apart on a baking sheet.  Personally, I think I prefer baking them in a casserole dish and letting them rise up against each other.  The outer edges of the rolls dried out a bit using PR's method.
2. Make the cream cheese frosting well in advance, then chill in the fridge.  Also, when initially mixing the ingredients, you may want to whip the cream cheese first to smooth out the texture, then stir in the honey.  When they are combined, add the vanilla extract and only as much milk as necessary to reach the desired consistency.

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