planning ahead...with cinnamon buns.

i really have the best of intentions. but it's hard to be motivated to stay as organized as i'd like to be.
as you know, i'm a stay at home mama, who does her best to stick to a grocery budget. i've been so very fortunate to be able to be home with my little, but it does mean some serious organization and planning to keep costs low. it's not all that easy, is it?
one way to keep your grocery bill really low though is to have a meal plan. it takes a little effort to decide what dinner will be each night, but once that's done the dreaded "what's for dinner" never has to happen! bliss!!!

 this week, i've tried to keep it simple. only a couple of the days require some extra work. and luckily, i made pizza last week, so we have an extra dough in the freezer. easy peasy. i'm hoping that this week, owen will be happy to try everything on the menu for the week. usually i have to do a little magic trick to get him to eat what we're having... or i just serve it to him a little differently. pizzas are easy, but pasta.. he's pretty picky about the sauce... meh. he's 3, there's only so much i can expect.. right?

Source: flickr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

but i do have a recipe to share that will make your kids happy (well if they're the cinnamon bun type of kid)... and you happy, 'cause there's no yeast, and no waiting for the dough to rise!
i have made these buns on christmas morning, they are that easy, and quick! the recipe is from the archives.. totally. it's one that my hubby and his twin sister used to make when they were littles.
and since it's been colder than normal for our summer.. seriously, the trees are already starting to change colours.. and also since i've organized myself in the kitchen so well, let's have a treat. this warm cinnamon-y goodness-of-a-bun-recipe will be good to your week.

2 cups flour
2 tbsp. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup cold butter or margarine
1 cup milk

mix dry ingredients together. cut in butter until crumbly.
make a well and pour milk in. stir to make a soft dough.
turn onto slightly floured counter and knead 8 to 10 times. roll into a rectangle about 1/2" thick and 12" long.

your dough is done! now for the topping...
spread with butter. (about 1/3 cup)
mix and sprinkle onto your rectangle:
1 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp cinnamon
1/3 cup raisins (optional)

i know it seems like a lot of sugar... but it's goood. really it is. if it's just too much, don't add all that sugar. no biggie.
roll lenthwise and cut into 12 slices. place cut side down into a greased muffin tin... or you could place them on parchment paper on a cookie sheet.. i've decided that i like the outcome more this way.
bake 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

see? easy peasy. you may glaze with icing after if you want.. we didn't. i put the raisins in because owen
l.o.v.e.s them! so he get's the raisins that the hubs picks out. haha roles reversed.

how is your week looking so far? are you a meal planner? what are the favourite meals in your family? would you be interested in a weekly meal plan share? (i'd show you my plan for the week every monday) leave a comment, i'd love to hear from you!