Desserts and potatoes may not seem to have anything in common, but computer programmer and baker Scott Zrubek marries the two with his sweet potato cinnamon rolls. Although the name sounds intimidating, the rolls are great for the intermediate baker wanting to spend a lazy day smelling the sweetness.
Zrubek’s recipe was featured in the Feb. 13 issue of the Houston Chronicle’s Flavor section. The article, “Men Who Bake” like people who eat, introduced four local men who like to have their desserts, and make them too.
Zrubek, a Houstonian “who channels his scientific creativity when he's in the kitchen,” was highlighted for his delicious concoction.
Sweet potato cinnamon rolls is a semi-challenging recipe for a novice baker. Most of the ingredients are fairly basic, so someone who bakes regularly may have most of the ingredients already. But bakers beware: this recipe requires the use of many bowls.
Bakers who do not have a large stock of mixing bowls may have to wash bowls throughout the baking process, which takes about four hours total because of the rising time for the dough.
Warning: Potatoes Tend to Take Flight
The star of this dish is definitely the sweet potato. However, the star can be a bit temperamental. Sweet potatoes are a lot tougher to cut than regular potatoes. If the knife is not very sharp, the potatoes will fly in the opposite direction across the counter top.
Also, when incorporating the potatoes into the mix, the potato bits can become airborne as the mixer sends them flying. Microwaves, paper towel rolls and counter-top trinkets are all possible targets. Keep the mixer on low to attempt to avoid the mess.
Rolls are Swirls of Ooey, Gooey Goodness
The smell of baked cinnamon rolls is almost intoxicating as the brown sugar bubbles at the bottom of the pan. Add the icing to the tops of the rolls when they are still warm for easy spreading. Also, the icing recipe makes more than what is necessary. Another tip: The icing tastes better on the rolls than sampling it by itself.
The sweet potato cinnamon rolls will definitely be a crowd pleaser, but make sure you allow for a full day of baking and keep the mixer on low to avoid potato pieces trying to jump ship. For more information on Zrubek’s other recipes, check out his blog.
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