It Stopped Us In Our Tracks: The Outdoor Italian Pastry Stand

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The snow was stacking up around our boots as my kiddo and I walked hand-in-hand around the small hamlet in the Poconos that’s sometimes called “Little Switzerland of America.”

His small fingers were trying to fill out a pair of adult-sized gloves, which created a silly droop of fabric for each digit. It’s endearing when children wear clothing that’s too big. But my heart was warmed to know that he was still willing to hold my hand, even though he was now one year older.

It was his birthday, and we went to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania to ride the scenic train in the vista dome car for a birthday adventure and celebration. We were bundled up for freezing temperatures as we trekked into gem shops and curiosity shops and the old fashioned 5 & 10 along a street called Broadway.

As we approached the train station, we saw the centerpiece of the town’s winter festival – ice sculptures, live music in a gazebo and the outdoor Italian pastry stand. There were other food vendors nearby, but our eyes were locked on the sweet delicacies. Dozens of choices, hundreds of pastries. I had cash in my pocket and my son’s eyes were wide with excitement.

He chose a cinnamon roll that was as big as a dinner plate. Wrapped carefully in bakery tissue and packed into a brown paper bag, he slid off one of his ill-fitting gloves to get a better grip and took a big bite. He couldn’t even wait to get inside our train car where it was warm and dry to indulge.

R​ecipe: Cinnamon Rolls

I don't have a family recipe for ooey, gooey cinnamon rolls, but the Butternut Bakery Blog does. You can make them by hand so you don't need any appliances to get the job done. Also, you can bake right away or leave the prepared baking dish in the refrigerator overnight to bake the next day.

I​f you have recipes for cinnamon rolls, send them my way! I'd love to recreate the special moment.

M​y task in writing these recipe articles is to link weather with food. It's not always apparent, and many times, my memories are old and faded. But this experience just happened this weekend. In the middle of Winter Storm Jett.

We almost didn't travel the three hours because of weather conditions across Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania. Believe me: they were terrible. But wouldn't that have been such a shame.

Now, we have a birthday memory with weather and food intertwined. And it's a great feeling to see your kid happy after a long day outside in a snowstorm, smiling with cinnamon roll in hand.

H​appy Birthday Bobo! Mama loves you.