Looper's Cookbook

Menu
  • Home
  • Homesteading
    • Soaps
    • Herbs ‘n Remedies
    • Canning
    • Fermenting
    • Cheese
    • Brews
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Pastas
    • Breads
    • Soups ‘n Stews
    • Sammiches
    • Sauces, Spices ‘n Extracts
    • Sides ‘n Salads
    • My Sweetnesses
  • Gardening
    • Looper’s Garden Calendar (5B)
Menu

Category: Uncategorized

Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls — 6 Rolls

Posted on August 9, 2026 by David Knight

Six large, soft yeast-leavened cinnamon rolls made with a tangzhong for a tender texture that stays soft, filled with brown sugar and cinnamon and finished with vanilla icing.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls — 6 Rolls

Six large, soft yeast-leavened cinnamon rolls made with a tangzhong for a tender texture that stays soft, filled with brown sugar and cinnamon and finished with vanilla icing.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 18 minutes mins
Total Time 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Servings 6 large rolls

Equipment

  • Small saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
  • Dough hook, if using a mixer
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or reusable baking mat
  • Rolling pin or clean hands for shaping
  • Dental floss, bench knife, or sharp knife
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
  

Tangzhong

  • 85 g whole milk
  • 18 g bread flour

Dough

  • 113 g whole milk cold
  • 225 g bread flour
  • 3/4 tsp table salt
  • 19 g granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast
  • 43 g unsalted butter softened
  • prepared tangzhong use all of it

Filling

  • 11 g unsalted butter melted
  • 80 g light brown sugar packed
  • 11 g bread flour
  • 2 1/4 to 3 tsp ground cinnamon use the smaller quantity for strong Vietnamese or Saigon cinnamon
  • table salt small pinch

Icing and finishing

  • 32 g unsalted butter melted and divided
  • 3/8 tsp vanilla extract
  • table salt small pinch
  • 128 g confectioners’ sugar sifted
  • 2 to 4 tsp milk, heavy cream, or buttermilk add only enough to reach the desired icing consistency
  • 43 to 68 g cream cheese softened; optional, for cream-cheese icing

Instructions
 

Make the tangzhong

  • Whisk the 85 g milk and 18 g bread flour together in a small saucepan until completely smooth.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring regularly, until the mixture becomes a thick paste and a spoon or spatula leaves visible tracks across the bottom of the pan, about 1 to 3 minutes.
  • Transfer the tangzhong to a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.

Mix and knead the dough

  • Add the cold milk to the warm tangzhong. Add the bread flour, salt, sugar, instant yeast, and softened butter.
  • Mix until a cohesive dough forms. Knead until smooth, elastic, and tacky rather than dry—up to 15 minutes by hand or about 10 to 12 minutes with a stand mixer on medium-low speed.
  • Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a covered bowl, and let it rise for 60 to 90 minutes. It should look distinctly puffy, though it may not fully double.

Prepare the filling and pan

  • While the dough rises, stir the melted butter, brown sugar, bread flour, cinnamon, and pinch of salt together. The filling should resemble damp sand.
  • Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.

Shape the rolls

  • Transfer the risen dough to a lightly greased work surface. Press or roll it into a neat 10-by-9-inch rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
  • Distribute the filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch bare strip along one long edge.
  • Starting at the opposite long edge, roll the dough into a snug log. Lightly mark the log into 6 equal pieces, then cut at the marks with dental floss, a bench knife, or a sharp knife.
  • Set the rolls on the prepared baking sheet with at least 2 inches between them and from the pan edges. Tuck each loose spiral end underneath its roll to prevent unraveling.

Second rise and bake

  • Cover the shaped rolls and let them rise for 30 to 60 minutes, until puffy. When gently pressed, the dough should not spring back immediately.
  • About 20 minutes before baking, position an oven rack in the upper third and preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, until lightly golden and approximately 190°F in the center. Use the shorter time for especially soft rolls and the longer time for more color and a slightly firmer exterior.
  • Move the baking sheet to a rack. Immediately brush the hot rolls with half of the melted finishing butter, then cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

Ice the rolls

  • Combine the remaining melted butter with the vanilla, salt, and confectioners’ sugar. Stir in milk, cream, or buttermilk a little at a time until the icing is thick but spreadable.
  • Spread the icing over the warm rolls and serve.
  • For cream-cheese icing, blend 43 to 68 g very soft cream cheese into the icing. Mix fully before adding extra liquid, then thin only as needed.

Notes

Scaled to 75% of King Arthur Baking’s eight-roll recipe to yield six large rolls. For strongest accuracy, weigh the ingredients. The tangzhong is responsible for the rolls’ especially soft texture and improved keeping quality.
Keyword cinnamon rolls, King Arthur Baking, tangzhong, yeast rolls
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: King Arthur Baking — Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls

Whole-Lime Loaf with Lime Glaze

Posted on August 9, 2026 by David Knight

A moist whole-lime loaf made by boiling whole limes to soften the peel and pith, blending them into the batter, and finishing the cooled loaf with a bright lime glaze.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Whole-Lime Loaf with Lime Glaze

A moist whole-lime loaf made by boiling whole limes to soften the peel and pith, blending them into the batter, and finishing the cooled loaf with a bright lime glaze.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Servings 1 loaf

Ingredients
  

Lime Loaf

  • 3 whole limes
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar about 200 g
  • 1/2 cup neutral oil about 120 ml
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour about 180–190 g
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 Tbsp butter approximately, for the top

Lime Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar about 120 g
  • 2–3 Tbsp fresh lime juice or enough to make a thick, pourable glaze

Instructions
 

Lime Loaf

  • Place the whole limes in boiling water and cook until very soft. This softens the fruit and reduces some of the bitterness from the peel and pith.
  • Let the cooked limes cool enough to handle. Remove any seeds, then use the softened peel, pith, and flesh as the lime base for the batter.
  • Combine the cooked limes, eggs, granulated sugar, neutral oil, and vanilla until fairly smooth and pale yellow-green.
  • Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold or stir just until combined into a thick cake batter.
  • Transfer the batter to a greased or parchment-lined standard loaf pan and smooth the top.
  • Place a thin strip or small pats of butter lengthwise down the center of the batter to encourage a neat center split as the loaf rises.
  • Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 45–55 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Cool the loaf completely before glazing.

Lime Glaze

  • Mix the powdered sugar with enough fresh lime juice to make a thick but pourable glaze.
  • Pour the glaze generously over the cooled loaf and allow it to run down the sides. Let the glaze set before slicing.

Notes

Reconstructed from a TikTok cooking video supplied by the user. The technique and major ingredients were visible, but the exact quantities were not clearly legible; measurements are estimates based on the visible amounts and batter consistency. The defining technique is using boiled whole limes—including peel, pith, and pulp—rather than only lime zest and juice.
Keyword citrus cake, lime, lime glaze, lime loaf, whole lime
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: TikTok video

Vanilla Wafers

Posted on August 9, 2026 by David Knight

Homemade vanilla wafers with crisp golden edges and rich vanilla flavor from both vanilla extract and vanilla powder.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Vanilla Wafers

Homemade vanilla wafers with crisp golden edges and rich vanilla flavor from both vanilla extract and vanilla powder.
Print Recipe
Course Dessert

Ingredients
  

Vanilla Wafers

  • 2 sticks butter 8 oz / 1 cup, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla powder
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda

Instructions
 

Vanilla Wafers

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and creamy.
  • Add the eggs and mix until incorporated.
  • Add the vanilla extract and vanilla powder. Mix until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Sift the dry ingredients together.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until a soft, uniform cookie dough forms.
  • Portion the dough with a small cookie scoop and roll each portion between your palms into a smooth ball.
  • If desired, freeze the portioned dough balls for later baking.
  • Arrange the dough balls well apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for spreading.
  • Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 15 minutes, until golden with deeper browning around the edges.
  • Allow the wafers to cool on the baking sheet until set, then transfer to a rack or container for storage.

Notes

Recipe parsed from a cooking video supplied by the user. Ingredient quantities were shown in the video. The user supplied the final confirmed baking instruction: 325°F for 15 minutes.
Keyword cookies, vanilla, vanilla wafers, wafers
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: User-supplied cooking video

Jewish Rye Bread

Posted on August 9, 2026 by David Knight

Traditional Jewish rye bread with a rye sour and old bread soaker, producing tangy rye flavor and a moist, chewy crumb.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Jewish Rye Bread

Traditional Jewish rye bread with a rye sour and old bread soaker, producing tangy rye flavor and a moist, chewy crumb.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 50 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 16 minutes mins
Course Bread
Cuisine Jewish
Servings 18 slices

Ingredients
  

Rye sour

  • 14 g ripe sourdough starter 1 rounded tablespoon
  • 237 g whole rye flour King Arthur Pumpernickel Flour; 2 1/4 cups
  • 198 g water room temperature, about 70°F; 7/8 cup

Old bread soaker

  • 74 g bread 1 heaping cup
  • 74 g water cool; 1/3 cup

Dough

  • 420 g unbleached all-purpose flour 3 1/2 cups
  • rye sour all from above except 1 rounded tablespoon reserved
  • 241 g water about 80°F; 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon
  • 85 g old bread soaker from above, at room temperature; 1/3 cup
  • 1 tbsp caraway seeds optional
  • 1/2 tsp ground caraway seeds optional
  • 12 g table salt 2 teaspoons
  • 1 tsp instant yeast

Instructions
 

Prepare the rye sour and soaker

  • Mix the rye sour ingredients until fully hydrated; the mixture will be very stiff. Cover and leave at about 70°F for 13 to 16 hours.
  • Cut the bread for the soaker into roughly 1-inch cubes, moisten with the cool water, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, squeeze out excess water and break the bread down to a stiff-oatmeal consistency. Measure 85 g and bring it to room temperature.

Mix and rise

  • Combine the dough ingredients in a mixer. With a dough hook, mix on the lowest speed for 3 minutes, then on speed 2 for 3 minutes. Aim for a finished dough temperature near 78°F.
  • Transfer to an oiled, covered bowl and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  • Deflate the dough and let it rest, covered, on a floured surface for 10 minutes.

Shape and bake

  • Preheat the oven and a baking stone, if using, at 460°F for 1 hour. For steam, preheat a cast-iron pan on a lower rack.
  • Shape into a bâtard/football-shaped loaf without tearing the surface. Place on lightly greased parchment dusted with coarse cornmeal, cover, and proof 40 to 45 minutes in a warm place.
  • Moisten the loaf surface, add caraway seeds if desired, and score five crosswise cuts, slightly shorter toward the ends.
  • Transfer the loaf to the hot stone or a baking sheet. Partially cover with a large metal bowl to retain steam. Add 1/2 cup boiling water to the preheated pan and bake 10 minutes, then remove the bowl.
  • Reduce the oven to 430°F and bake another 30 to 35 minutes, until deep golden brown and at least 205°F internally.
  • Moisten the crust again after baking and cool completely on a rack overnight before slicing.

Notes

Recipe by Barb Alpern for King Arthur Baking. The reserved tablespoon of rye sour may be discarded or used to maintain a rye starter. This dough remains sticky; wet hands are preferable to adding excess flour. Save a large slice of the baked loaf for a future old-bread soaker.
Keyword caraway, Jewish rye, rye bread, sourdough
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: King Arthur Baking

Caraway Rye Bread

Posted on August 8, 2026August 9, 2026 by David Knight

A soft, slightly tangy rye loaf with caraway, using rye and all-purpose flour for pronounced rye flavor with a tender, well-risen crumb.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Caraway Rye Bread

A soft, slightly tangy rye loaf with caraway, using rye and all-purpose flour for pronounced rye flavor with a tender, well-risen crumb.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 3 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
Servings 1 large loaf

Ingredients
  

  • 227 g dill or sour-pickle juice use in place of water
  • 106 g medium rye flour or whole rye/pumpernickel flour
  • 14 g granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
  • 113 g sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 10–12 g caraway seeds
  • 9 g table salt
  • 280 g all-purpose flour
  • 25 g vital wheat gluten optional

Instructions
 

Make the rye sponge

  • Mix the dill or sour-pickle juice, sugar, rye flour, and instant yeast into a soft, thick batter. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes to hydrate the rye.

Make the dough

  • Add the sour cream or Greek yogurt, caraway seeds, salt, all-purpose flour, and vital wheat gluten if using. Knead until fairly smooth. The dough will naturally be sticky; avoid adding excess flour just to make it behave like white bread dough.

First rise

  • Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until noticeably puffy.

Shape and second rise

  • Gently deflate the dough, knead very briefly, and shape into one long oval loaf. Place on parchment, cover, and proof for about 1 1/2 hours, until noticeably puffy. Near the end of the proof, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Score and bake

  • Lightly mist or brush the top with water. With a very sharp knife or razor held fairly upright, make one confident lengthwise slash about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) deep.
  • Bake on the center rack. Check the loaf after 35 minutes for color and internal temperature, then continue baking as needed, about 45 to 50 minutes total for one large loaf. Aim for an internal temperature of 205–210°F (96–99°C). If the loaf is getting too dark, loosely tent it with foil after about 25 minutes.
  • Transfer to a rack and let cool before slicing. For a softer crust, optionally brush the hot loaf with melted butter.

Notes

Current version uses dill or sour-pickle juice in place of the dough water for extra rye-bread character.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: King Arthur Baking — Caraway Rye Bread (adapted working version from conversation)

Aunt Vera’s Rhubarb Jelly

Posted on August 6, 2026 by David Knight

A handwritten family recipe from Aunt Vera made with rhubarb, crushed pineapple, and strawberry gelatin.

Prevent your screen from going dark

Aunt Vera’s Rhubarb Jelly

A handwritten family recipe from Aunt Vera made with rhubarb, crushed pineapple, and strawberry gelatin.
Print Recipe
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Preserves
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

Ingredients

  • 6 cups rhubarb cut up
  • 5 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 can crushed pineapple can size not specified on the original recipe
  • 1 large box strawberry Jell-O or 2 small boxes

Instructions
 

Instructions

  • Combine the cut rhubarb, sugar, and crushed pineapple.
  • Let the mixture sit overnight.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 20 minutes.
  • Add the strawberry Jell-O and stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Cook for a few more minutes, until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
  • Put into jars.

Notes

The original handwritten recipe says only to put the finished jelly into jars. It does not provide a tested boiling-water canning process or storage instructions. For safety, treat this as a refrigerator or freezer recipe unless a tested shelf-stable canning method is used. The size of the crushed pineapple can was not specified.
Keyword crushed pineapple, family recipe, rhubarb jelly, strawberry Jell-O
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Source: Aunt Vera

One Pan Banoffee Tatin

Posted on July 21, 2026 by looper
Prevent your screen from going dark

One Pan Banoffee Tatin

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g Caster Sugar
  • 60 g Butter cold and cubed
  • 2 Tbsp Double Cream
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Pinch of Salt
  • 3 Bananas ripe but still firm sliced lengthways
  • 1 Sheet Pre Rolled Puff Pastry
  • To finish:
  • Squirty Cream
  • Shaved Chocolate

Instructions
 

  • Get your sugar in a cold pan, give it a shake to get it all evenly spread then turn the heat on low and don’t touch it or move it, leave it to melt into a golden syrup
  • Add your butter to the pan and whisk until combined
  • Add your cream and whisk (careful, it will bubble up loads)
  • Add your vanilla extract and salt then mix
  • Carefully place your banana in the pan cut side down and leave simmer for 2 minutes
  • Place your puff pastry over the top, tucking in the edges with a spoon then get it in the oven for 30 mins at 190oC
  • Remove from the oven, give the pan a gentle shake to release the edges then flip it out onto a plate
  • Finish with your cream and chocolate and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sweet Dinner Rolls

Posted on November 21, 2025 by looper
Prevent your screen from going dark

Sweet Dinner Rolls

Print Recipe
Servings 12 rolls
Calories 256 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup warm water 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • 1 egg
  • ⅓ cup butter softened
  • ⅓ cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 .25 ounce package active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup butter softened

Instructions
 

  • Place water, milk, egg, 1/3 cup butter, sugar, salt, flour and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough/Knead and First Rise Cycle; press Start.
  • When cycle finishes, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12 inch circle, spread 1/4 cup softened butter over entire round. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll wedges starting at wide end; roll gently but tightly. Place point side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and put in a warm place, let rise 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rollCalories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 275mgPotassium: 71mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 312IUVitamin C: 0.002mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Posted on October 31, 2025 by looper
Prevent your screen from going dark

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin muffin batter:

  • 1 ½ cups pure pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar plus 2 tbsp
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • ½ cup sunflower oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup 80ml whole milk

Cream cheese filling:

  • 5 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 ½ tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon 10ml whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  • Combine pumpkin puree and both sugars in a large bowl and whisk until smooth and glossy. Add eggs, oil and vanilla and whisk to combine.
  • Combine flour, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to blend evenly. Add dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and start to fold them in but before it is all incorporated. Add the milk and fold until the batter is evenly combined. Cover and let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
  • Combine soft cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla in a bowl and beat until smooth. Add milk and mix until combined and smooth. Transfer the filling to a small piping bag.
  • Use a 2 oz scoop to divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups, filling them to the rim. Pipe 1/2 tbsp cream cheese filling into center of batter. Sprinkle chopped pumpkin seeds over the pumpkin batter, pressing in slightly.
  • Bake at 425℉ for 5 minutes. Then, turn the oven down to 350℉. Bake for another 12-15 minutes until they feel firm when pressed and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring muffins individually to the rack to finish cooling.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

BigMac Sauce

Posted on September 24, 2025 by looper
Prevent your screen from going dark

BigMac Sauce

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tbsp white onions peeled and grated with juices
  • 2 tsp Dijon
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1/4 tsp white wine vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 15
  • Next

Recent Posts

  • Perfectly Pillowy Cinnamon Rolls — 6 Rolls
  • Whole-Lime Loaf with Lime Glaze
  • Vanilla Wafers
  • Jewish Rye Bread
  • Caraway Rye Bread

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • August 2026
  • July 2026
  • November 2025
  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023

Categories

  • Uncategorized
© 2026 Looper's Cookbook | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme