August 2014 Daring Bakers' Challenge: Tubular and Coiled Treats

This month's Daring Bakers' challenge took me to new heights... of sorts.

We were challenged to make upright or spiraled yeast-based yummies. I chose to try the chimney cake option, just because I've never attempted anything like it before, and who doesn't like something coated in sugar?? I mean, come on! :)

The dough/recipe were quite simple, which was good. The execution of the chimney was a week bit trickier, shall we say. A definitely learning curve was associated with this part of the task.

The first chimney would have been condemned by the building inspector right away. When I attempted to release the cake from the foil-encased rolling pin, the cake began to uncoil. I quickly figured out that I needed to roll my cake a bit more before baking it... the rolling is what keeps the coils together post baking.

The second chimney was definitely a greater success! I rolled it more firmly after coiling the dough around the rolling pin and that was the key. Unmolding that cake was far easier and resulted in the cake remaining upright instead of in a coiled pile of rubble. After taking the coil off of the rolling pin, I brushed it with more melted butter and then rolled it in cinnamon sugar. The final result reminded me a lot of the elephant ears you can buy at most fairs. Tasty :)

First attempt (aka what not to do)

Second attempt (voilà!)
 

The August Daring Bakers' Challenge took us for a spin! Swathi of Zesty South Indian Kitchen taught us to make rolled pastries inspired by Kurtoskalacs, a traditional Hungarian wedding pastry. These tasty yeasted delights gave us lots to celebrate!