As we embark on the season of gatherings, it seems that I’ve been a bit remiss in not sharing a sweet celebration that we hosted a few months ago. Other than the chance to enjoy the company of a few friends, the reason for this little party was to commemorate the one year “birthday” of my sourdough starter, Bubbles.
It also gave me the opportunity to try my hand at making cinnamon buns. And sourdough cinnamon buns are best enjoyed at brunch and what’s brunch without friends? If there is a flaw in my logic, please do enlighten me. Anyway, as for the timing of this celebration, Bubbles’ “birthday” is actually in late August but The Husband and I were on our road trip then so this little party didn’t happen until near the end of September. I’ve been sitting on these photos and the story ever since. Today is as good a day as any to share the details.
But first, a brief recap on my adventures with Bubbles and two quick stories. It took me three tries until I got a successful result with establishing a sourdough starter and I shared those early struggles in Don’t Get Me Started: Third Time’s The Charm. I also tell the story of how my starter got the name Bubbles. Two more “Don’t Get Me Started” installments followed that first one from August 2020; a month later there was Up To Scratch and then Sourdough Pretzels, A (K)not So Easy Adventure in December.
As for the stories, here’s number one. A sourdough starter needs to be fed about once a week unless you’re otherwise baking with your sourdough starter during the week (and therefore going through the process of feeding it as you use it). In the planning of our summer road trip, I had to figure out how Bubbles would be fed at least once. Fortunately, I was able to enlist my son and he did a fine job. He even sent me photos.
My second story is how I recently almost killed Bubbles. Fortunately, it seems that sourdough starters are fairly resilient. Briefly, I’d taken the jar out of the refrigerator at about 4pm one day as I’d planned to make a batch of bread. Typically, I start the process by stirring the started, and then I let the jar sit on the kitchen counter for a couple of hours to warm up. Two hours later I should have mixed up the first stage of the dough and then fed the remaining starter. I got distracted with another project after dinner and it wasn’t until I was getting ready for bed at 11pm that I remembered that Bubbles was sitting on the kitchen counter. EEK!
I didn’t want to try mixing up the dough at that late hour so I put the jar back in the refrigerator and hoped that I have an idea of what to do in the morning. The next day, it occurred to me that I should just try to feed the starter as I normally would and anticipated that it might take a couple of cycles to bring it back to full strength. But that wasn’t the case … Bubbles was raring to go after just one feeding so all is good.
The recipe I used for my sourdough cinnamon buns can be found on the King Arthur Baking Company website. Since the plan was to serve them hot from the oven at our sweet celebration brunch, I did most of the prep the night before putting the pan of buns in the refrigerator to rest overnight as offered as an option in the recipe. The dough came together easily and I opted to not use any yeast. I wanted to see how well my starter would perform and Bubbles did not disappoint.
I suppose that one of the great things about having a solid surface countertop is being able to spread out the dough directly on it. I used a lot of flour to keep the dough from sticking and a few different tools to help with the rolling. While my technique might need some practice, I was hopeful that taste would make up for the rough appearance of the buns.
Buns in the pan and ready to chill overnight in the refrigerator. The rest of the menu for this sweet celebration included scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, tater tots, fresh fruit, sourdough bread, and of course, mimosas. The stars of the table, though, were the warm and sweet sourdough cinnamon buns.
And this is the “guinea pig” gang who agreed to be the select few to sample my inaugural attempt at making sourdough cinnamon buns. From left: Katie, Carl, Julie, Marcus, Mike, and Victoria. It was two thumbs up all around the table for this sweet celebration.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My featured blogger from last week’s link-up post is Shelbee, the uber-stylish gal who shares about her life and family on her blog Shelbee On The Edge.
When I first got the notion to try making a sourdough starter, I’d never imagined where that adventure would take me. And now, just slightly more than a year later, I’m so pleased with what I’ve learned and how I’ve been able to share it with family and friends. What are you celebrating?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
Photos: MMPerez
19 Comments
I love this! So fun that you even named your sourdough starter Bubbles LOL! I’m going to share this with my husband because he recently attempted to make his first sourdough starter, but it wasn’t a success at all. I’m hoping he’ll try again though. He was using spelt flour because we prefer spelt to wheat. I wonder if that made a difference?!
Hope all is great with you!
Hugs
Suzy xx
I’ve never made anything with sourdough before. Those cinnamon buns look amazing! Looks like you had a fun celebration!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I make crescent rolls for Thanksgiving and the batch of dough leaves enough to make cinnamon rolls for the next day, which is amazing. I’d love to try using sourdough, though. I love extra sourdough cracked wheat bread. I hope to see you around the neighborhood sometime! Happy Holidays!
I’ve never tried making sourdough bread. Bubbles sounds delightful in so many ways! And, isn’t it wonderful to be able to get together with people again!
http://marshainthemiddle.com
I think there is nothing more pandemic themed than having a sourdough starter at home, haha! I’m glad you have been able to keep yours going so long and that you enjoyed the buns – they look delicious!
Thanks for the link up!
Hope that you are having a great weekend 🙂 I had a long but fun day at the shops yesterday, finishing my Christmas shopping.
Ha! People name all sorts of things, but this is the first time I have heard of anyone naming their sour dough starter. Your Cinnamon rolls look so tasty!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
I’ve never tried making sourdough bread but I do love to eat it! Those cinnamon rolls look delicious!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Happy birthday to Bubbles! I think it’s a first that I’ve ever congratulated a sour dough, but it made me smile! Enjoyed your tutorial.
Oh I have a sweet tooth! And love eating with friends or family! Looks so cozy.
The cinnamon buns look delicious! My dad loves to bake with sourdough and so does my friend who actually started a bakery out of her house: it is amazing all the different things she bakes from it. Well done, Bubbles: 1 year and going!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I have a love/ hate relationship with starters. But that looks so good!
I love sourdough, but do not have your patience to make it. Hurrah for Bubbles. May it live long.
Your cinnamon buns look so yum! I don’t have the courage to start a sourdough, but you are giving me hope.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
These are looking very tasty!
Thank you for hosting the party and wish you a great December!
The cinnamon bun came out looking delicious.
Bernie
I could just eat one of these, they look amazing 🙂
Thanks for hosting.
Thanks so much for the feature, my friend! Those cinnamon buns look so amazing! I need to get baking something soon but I have been feeling so uninspired!
Shelbee
Baking is not really my thing, but your cinnamon rolls look incredible, Rena! Good to see you again!
Obviously, I’m too late to join the link up, but I just want to say that I love your writing style. I applaud the plant based eating. Trying to improve my diet is a constant thing with me. I’m really looking forward to reading more of your blog.