Citrus Cottage Cheese Rolls

These light and delicious rolls are a great alternative to cinnamon rolls for a warm dessert or winter breakfast. My husband was skeptical about the cottage cheese, but he really enjoyed them and when asked if I should make them again replied, "definitely." They have a light citrus flavor to them that goes wonderfully with the dried cranberries and fluffy texture. Enjoy!

Rolls
2 tsp active dry yeast
1 c. warm milk
2 tsp. canola oil
1 Tbsp. honey
1 egg
Zest from one lemon
3/4 tsp. salt
3 c. flour (I used 1 c. whole wheat, but they were so light and fluffy that I think next time I will try using 2 c. whole wheat)

Filling
1/2 c. cottage cheese
1/2 c. honey
pinch of salt
Zest from one lemon
1/2 c. dried cranberries


1. I used a bread maker, so I just added all the ingredients for the rolls and set the timer for the dough to be finished raising when we woke up in the morning. If you don't have a bread maker, just make bread dough as usual: proof yeast, mix together ingredients, knead for 10 minutes, let raise until doubled.
2. Divide dough into 12 pieces and shape into a round roll. (NOTE: next time I make these I want to try making 24 so that there is a higher filling:roll ratio. You might wish to try the same.)
3. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet about one inch apart. Let the rolls rise for 10 minutes
4. Meanwhile, mix the ingredients for the filling. Then press a dent into each roll using 3 fingers. Fill the dent with filling and let raise again for about 45 minutes.
5. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Note: The original recipe came from Old World Breads by Charel Scheele, a great gift to me from my sister-in-law Becka. :) Thanks Becka.

Healthy Snack for Kids: Peanut Butter-Cranberry Balls

We needed a healthy snack the other night for our family night and so I came up with this little combo that was quite good-. I'll definitely be making them again!

You'll need:
dried cranberries
breakfast cereal (I used Quaker oatmeal squares, crushed)
peanut butter (preferably a simple variety that's just peanuts and salt)

Combine everything in a bowl, squish into balls (no way to really keep your hands clean here), and enjoy. :)

I've made granola bars with a similar recipe that were quite good. Only with the granola bars, you heat the PB on the stove top and mix it with some honey, then mix in bran flakes. Press into a pan, use your fingers to press dried cranberries into the PB/flakes mix and then let it cool. Also really yummy. Obviously with the honey they are sweeter than these little balls I made, so it just depends on what your taste buds feel like.