Day 20 - Bondi Beach, Sydney - Cinnamon Buns

.

Following an unsuccessful afternoon of kiteboarding with a couple of friends in Bottany Bay (it truly was a disaster), our hunger got the best of us, taking us north to world famous Bondi Beach in search of coffee and snacks. Once there, we found ourselves a cafe and enjoyed flat whites and cinnamon buns while watching the sun set quietly over the hillside.

Coffee culture in Sydney is quite different than in Canada. First and foremost, percolated coffee (i.e. "drip coffee") does not exist. Flat whites, which have become my coffee vice since arriving in Australia, are probably the most popular way of consuming caffeine for Australians. Flat whites, when done properly, have a creamy consisteny and have more esspresso content than lattes.

Our timing for being in Bondi was good - we were there to catch the following sunset:

And, 20 minutes later, this is what Bondi Beach looks like: (lots of bars and nighlife, a great spot to visit)

The snacks helped mend both our muscles, and egos, if only a little. Props to AllRecipes.com for the below (stolen) recipe:

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans, divided
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon sugar and yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter and salt; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.

In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, milk mixture, eggs and 1 1/2 cup flour; stir well to combine. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

While dough is rising, melt 3/4 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 3/4 cup brown sugar, whisking until smooth. Pour into greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle bottom of pan with 1/2 cup pecans; set aside. Melt remaining butter; set aside. Combine remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup pecans, and cinnamon; set aside.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, roll into an 18x14 inch rectangle. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted butter, leaving 1/2 inch border uncovered; sprinkle with brown sugar cinnamon mixture. Starting at long side, tightly roll up, pinching seam to seal. Brush with remaining 2 tablespoons butter. With serrated knife, cut into 15 pieces; place cut side down, in prepared pan. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in volume. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Let cool in pan for 3 minutes, then invert onto serving platter. Scrape remaining filling from the pan onto the rolls.