Mrs. Bug’s Cinnamon Toast from A Breath of Snow and Ashes
“DO YOU THINK he’ll come?” Breakfast had been eaten, and no sign yet of Thomas Christie. After a night of broken sleep, in which I dreamed repeatedly of ether masks and surgical disasters, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted him to come or not.
“Aye, he’ll come.” Jamie was reading the North Carolina Gazette, four months out of date, while munching the last of Mrs. Bug’s cinnamon toast. “Look, they’ve printed a letter from the Governor to Lord Dartmouth, saying what an unruly lot of seditious, conniving thieving bastards we all are, and asking General Gage to send him cannon to threaten us back into good behavior. I wonder if MacDonald knows that’s public knowledge?”
“Did they really?” I said absently. I rose, and picked up the ether mask I had been staring at all through breakfast. “Well, if he does come, I suppose I’d best be ready.”
Diana Gabaldon, A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Chapter 23)
I heard from lots of you over the weekend — a couple made stock, a few more a batch of Bonnet’s Balls, and at least a dozen readers contacted me to let me know they were baking Honey-Buttermilk Oatbread from Voyager — and then you sent me pictures…fabulous shots of all your homemade goodies that made me glow.
How cool is that? People are really cooking from Outlander — en masse! (well, almost ;)) As a passionate cook and fan of DG’s world, I’m so excited I am to have found a like-minded community of food and book lovers. It’s nourishing both my mind and my belly…thank you all.
So who’s up for a little celebration? After all, we’ve been working hard in our Outlander Kitchens! Personally, I’m gonna kick back with Jamie, ponder the morning paper and enjoy a sweet treat with my coffee.
Oh sure, you could just sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on a piece of buttered toast, but that’s not how Mrs. Bug would’ve done it. She would have a had a little bowl of this at hand, to feed Himself’s cravings throughout the day.
(And besides, your loaf of Oatbread deserves better than that.)
Mrs. Bug’s Cinnamon-Sugar Butter
Spread on your morning toast, or melt gently in the microwave and toss with popcorn and a little salt for a late night snack.
- Butter, soft – 1/2 Cup
- Brown Sugar – 1/4 Cup
- Cinnamon – 2 to 3 tsp
Use a fork to mash everything together in a small bowl. Keep covered, in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. Freeze indefinitely. Soften before serving.
Ith gu leòir! (Eat Plenty)
*For a more new/different taste, try adding a pinch of freshly-ground cardamom to your butter. Cardamom is a member of the ginger family that lends a unique floral taste/scent and combines well with cinnamon. Common in Scandinavian baking, the key with cardamom is to use a light hand — a pinch will do it.
I add “kardamumma” (as I first learnt to call the spice in Finland) to almost everything. It’s fantastic added to French toast batter.
Cardamom is one of my favourites too, Shawn!
S ay have you ever made the “creamed Crud” for the gingerbread Mrs Bug made?
Haven`t tried the crud yet ;) but it`s definitely on the list!
Yum yum yum! I’ve had butter and brown sugar on toast, but never thought to add cinnamon before!
Mrs Bug would be shocked, Deniz! (And then she’d be right over with a big bowl, just for you).
This was the best homemade bread I’ve ever made. My whole family loved it and devoured both loaves within two days! The recipie is going in my recipie binder, I’m already planning to make it again! Yumm!
Oops! This comment should have been under the recipie for the Oat bread! Oh well I made the spread too and it went just as fast as the bread. Delicious!
No worries, they’re meant to go together anyway! Theresa
Just another way to bring the entire family into our Outlander world!
Can’t wait to try this one Theresa! going to make some this afternoon. will be delicious with my gluten free bread!
Awesome idea! I love mixing the ingredients and slathering it on all together.
PS I LOVE your blog!!
What a great idea, mixing it all up together ahead of time- much easier than buttering the toast first, then trying to mix the perfect combination of cinnamon & sugar to my kids’ liking. I’m going to looooooove this!
Oh, yes, kidlets love this! ;)
I’m going to make some right now! I have a little shaker of cinnamon and sugar ready at all times. We always had one in the house when I was a kid…the idea just stuck. Must be prepared, after all!
I think I may have to take up that tradition too, Lee Ann….
I also have fond memories of going on late night excursions to the diner with friends in college for conversation and cinnamon toast. :) Another good tradition.
I’ve never even thought of making cinnamon butter yet we eat cinnamon toast on a regular basis. What a fantastic idea. Mrs. Bug is a genius. :)
I’ll let her know you think so, Christiane! ;)
Sounds delicious but we don’t eat a lot of toast. Any ideas for what else we could use it on???? I love Mrs. Bug! (comment edited by OK to remove a spoiler — sorry!)
Jen! If you look just below the recipe title, you’ll see where I recommend this on popcorn too! It makes a great sweet and salty snack!
That’s ok about the editing. I guess it never occurred to me that there might be someone who hadn’t read ALL the books! lol
Thanks, Jen! I know someone right now who is halfway through ABOSAA, so…I thought I’d better be safe! :)
It’s really good on baked sweet potatoes. Try putting them under the broiler for a minute to make the cinnamon and butter melt into the potato. Much easier than candied sweets and delicious!
Pat! What a great idea! Did you hear that everyone? PUT IT ON SWEET POTATOES! :)
I thought I’d post here so you know I’m reading here, also!
We won’t mention my breads!!
Thanks Jeanie! Great to have you in the kitchen…Theresa