Cinnamon Bites by Zarnak Sidhwa

Ingredients:

• Warm water 1 cup
• Dry yeast 1 tbsp
• Sugar 2 tbsp + 1 tsp
• Brown sugar 2 tbsp
• Oil 1 tbsp
• Flour 2-3/4 to 3 cups
• Salt 1 tsp
• Hot water 3 cups
• Baking soda 1/3 cup
• Sugar 3/4 cup
• Butter melted 1/2 cup
• Cinnamon 1 tbsp

For Cream Cheese Dipping Sauce:

• Cream cheese 4 oz
• Butter softened 1 tbsp
• Icing sugar 1-1/4 cup
• Vanilla essence 1 tsp
• Milk 2 tsp
  

Method:

1. Combine warm water, yeast and 1 tsp sugar in bowl of stand mixer.
2. Stir, then let it set for about 10 minutes to activate.
3. Add 2 tbsp sugar, brown sugar, oil and salt.
4. Stir.
5. Attach dough hook and add flour.
6. Scrape side of bowl as needed.
7. Knead in mixture for about 4 minutes or so or until elastic and smooth.
8. Put in greased glass bowl and let rise, covered in warm oven for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
9. After removing from oven, preheat oven to 200 degrees C.
10. Combine hot water and baking soda.
11. Divide dough into 6 equal parts.
12. Take 1 part and cover other parts with kitchen towel so they don't dry out.
13. Roll section into snake about 28-30 inches long.
14. Cut it in half, then each in half again (4 shakes).
15. Divide each into about 1-1/4 inch section.
16. Dip each bite into hot water/baking soda mixture, then place on silpat-lined (or parchment paper lined) baking sheet.
17. Repeat with remaining sections of dough.
18. Bake at 200 degrees C for 7-10 minutes or until tops are golden.
19. Roll in melted butter, let sit on plate for about 1 minute to let butter soak in and then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
20. For cream cheese dipping sauce: Mix cream cheese and butter.
21. Add icing sugar and vanilla. Beat.
22. Add milk, if needed to attain the desired consistency.