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4.29.2008

Growing Up In D.C...Remember the Rum Bun?



Did you know this is my 99th post and I only begun last summer! How time flies.Speaking of which I had a wave of nostalgia sweep over me.I realized I hadn't had a Rum Bun in a long time.Growing up in the Washington D. C area during the 70's AND 80's Rum Buns were a distinct part of the bread basket before dinner in the great seafood houses such as Hogates, O'Donnells, Bish Thompsons,Flagship,and Anchor Inn( most long since shuttered).As a child I couldn't wait to did into those warm sweet rolls before my order of Lobster came. Whats a child doing ordering Lobster you ask?Well legend has it that I was the lobster baby. Before I could even read I had to have my lobster!No Kiddie menu for me. My mother encouraged it and my father resentfully paid the bill.Once he tried to trick me and say there was no lobster on the menu. I grabbed his menu and said 'let me see'. My big eyes went over the menu and found it. He couldn't get away with it. Eventually I grew out of my lobster addiction. Certain Someone was appalled when he heard this story and thinks I'm spoiled rotten. Maybe I am.
So back to the Rum Buns...Now that we have Internet I did a search. I found the Hogates recipe from the former chef on a few sites. They looked consistent. I mistakenly believed I had a well stocked baking pantry, but I didn't . So I made some changes as the amounts of some of the ingredients were large. I ran out of All Purpose flour so I added Amaranth flour and wheat in addition to the 1lb of what I had. I didn't have 4 oz fresh yeast and prayed my 2 oz of SAF instant yeast worked ,as lesser amounts are required with this type. And the recipe called for obscene amounts of Rum Extract. One bottle is 1 oz. The dough alone required 2z. So had to add real dark rum. I purchased more Rum extract later on for the glaze and icing. Yes glaze and icing combined!These babies will be going to work as they are to lethal to leave laying around.




In other news the lovely folks at Cakespy sent me these cute badges for giving a lead. If you haven't checked out this site do. They are loads of fun and seem to have spies everywhere giving us great reviews, interviews, etc.

Also Ben has awarded me the Blog of Distinction Award. Thanks darling. I guess I have to pass that on.
Hogates Rum Buns
Ingredients:
Dough
2 pounds all-purpose flour
1 ounce all-purpose flour
6 ounces granulated sugar
5 ounces raisins
4 ounces vegetable shortening
4 ounces butter (unsalted, room temperature)
2 tablespoons grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground bakers cinnamon
1 ounce table salt
1 cup water warm
4 ounces fresh yeast
1 cup pasteurized or fresh eggs
2 ounces rum extract
1 cup whole milk
Cinnamon-Sugar Mix
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 cup sugar
Glaze
1 cup water
1/2 cup rum extract
6 ounces granulated sugar
Icing
2 ounces rum extract
2 ounces light corn syrup
1 ounce unsalted butter (melted)
12 ounces confectioners sugar
Directions:
In a mixing bowl fitted with a dough hook, combine all dough ingredients. Mix for 20 minutes until dough is smooth, place on floured tray and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Flour work surface and roll dough out 4 inches by 20 inches. Brush with melted butter (not in above ingredients) and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mix as needed. Roll dough strips tightly together. With knife, cut into sections three fingers wide and place in greased (not in above ingredients) muffin pan. Place a towel over the buns and proof them (let them rise until double in size.takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the temperature of the room). Then bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Turn pans occasionally for even baking. Remove from oven and brush with glaze (Heat glaze ingredients until sugar is dissolved)immediately. Cool for at least 10 minutes, then coat with icing( just mix all ingredients together adding the liquids a bit at a time) before serving.



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20 comments:

LisaRene said...

Wow, there is a huge amount of rum extract called for in this recipe! I think you were wise to use real rum in the dough. I love yeast bread in any way, shape or form and these look luscious.

I'll check back soon to see what your 100th post will be!

Peter M said...

Courtney, the closest thing we have up here is a franchise called Cinnabon and the aroma drives me nuts anytime I pass by one and untimately, I buy one.

They look fab and your man would be most happy to be awakened by the cinnamon aroma.

G said...

Mmmmmmmmm.... well "rum bun" is fun to say, and I - dare say - more so to eat. YUMMY!

I love that you loved lobster as a kid. A little gourmet Coco in the making. And your badges are so cute!

Mary said...

I've never heard of a Rum Bun before, but they look gorgeous!

Deborah said...

I have never had a rum bun, but they sound delicious!! And I've always said that when I have kids, I want to expose them to many foods when they are young so they can grow up with an appreciation for it. I'm sure that's why you have a love for food now!

Thistlemoon said...

Nice buns Courtney! I don't know if I ever told you, but I grew up in the DC area too. Small world...but I have never had a rum bun...my parents were obviously crazy! LOL!

Anonymous said...

You and me both, Courtney! (99)
Never had rum buns unless you count the time my sailors came home on leave and...oh, never mind. haha ;)

Christine said...

Ooh, those sound really great, like a kicked-up version of hot cross buns!

Congrats on your soon to be 100th post!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Thats some good looking buns you got there! Rum Buns huh, I never heard of them. They look especially good with all that glaze/frosting dripping all over them!! You were quite the foodie as a little one! :)

Cakelaw said...

These look and sound great! I have a friend who loves rum baba - I'm sure she'd love these.

Jen said...

These look absolutely delicious! And I was a lobster fanatic, too! Still am...

Cakespy said...

I love, love, love learning about new baked goods--especially regional specialties!!! These ones look like a good one to have grown up with!!

(glad you like the little buttons!)

Heather said...

A much-deserved award, and those buns look like something for which to quit a diet.

Pixie said...

What's wrong with wanting Lobster as a child? ;) You certainly must have exquisite taste and am loving the sound of a rum bun.

Emily said...

I've never had a rum bun! Those look scrumptious. I have some raisins that I need to use up, so I should make these! I don't have any rum, though.

That's cute that you were the lobster child. You had good tastes! Too bad on dad's wallet.

Big Boys Oven said...

my itchy fingers will defintely never let this get away!

Chef Erik said...

Those look so much better than cinnabuns. I'm not much of a baker but I will def try this recipe.

Anonymous said...

Hungry,....Hungry....Hungry...
Those look delicious

Alejandra Ramos said...

I lived in DC for a while but never heard of these! They sound awesome...

jason said...

my girlfriend always talking about these rum buns and now i can make them and surprise here..wish me luck