The centerpiece of American Girl Café's menu is their warm cinnamon buns. It's the first course of every meal served there, be it brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, and the cinnamon buns are referred to as "A Warm Welcome."
Why? The answer, printed on the back of the menu, goes like this: Over 50 years ago, a little girl named Pleasant, went downtown Chicago on a wintry day to hear the Chicago Symphony with her mother. They were dressed in their finest clothes, which included white gloves. It was just the two of them and Pleasant never forgot what she and her mother did that afternoon. They had lunch in a restaurant that served warm, delicious cinnamon buns. Then they walked to Orchestra Hall. When the concert was over, they walked up Michigan Avenue hand in hand, squeezing their secret code. Three squeezes from mom meant, "I love you;" and four squeezes from Pleasant meant, "I love you, too!"
That vivid, warm-fuzzy, magical, childhood experience made such an impression on Pleasant that she wanted to create the same kind of treasured memories for American Girl customers.
In honor of Pleasant Rowland, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and little girls everywhere I made a batch of cinnamon rolls. It's my warm welcome for stopping by to visit my blog today!
I searched for my favorite cinnamon bun recipe a dear friend gave me many years ago, but I couldn't find it, so I went on-line and watched The Joy of Baking recipe video for cinnamon rolls/buns, and used their recipe instead.
The end result is worth the wait, regardless of the calories!
The polka dot box on the napkin came from American Girl Place. It contains "Table Talker" cards. Guests take turns choosing a card from the box and then read their questions aloud. Everyone at the table has the opportunity to talk about them. A few examples in the box: "Have you ever gotten lost? What happened?" "What is your happiest childhood memory?" "What makes a good loser? Are you one?" And so on.
Why? The answer, printed on the back of the menu, goes like this: Over 50 years ago, a little girl named Pleasant, went downtown Chicago on a wintry day to hear the Chicago Symphony with her mother. They were dressed in their finest clothes, which included white gloves. It was just the two of them and Pleasant never forgot what she and her mother did that afternoon. They had lunch in a restaurant that served warm, delicious cinnamon buns. Then they walked to Orchestra Hall. When the concert was over, they walked up Michigan Avenue hand in hand, squeezing their secret code. Three squeezes from mom meant, "I love you;" and four squeezes from Pleasant meant, "I love you, too!"
That vivid, warm-fuzzy, magical, childhood experience made such an impression on Pleasant that she wanted to create the same kind of treasured memories for American Girl customers.
In honor of Pleasant Rowland, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and little girls everywhere I made a batch of cinnamon rolls. It's my warm welcome for stopping by to visit my blog today!
I searched for my favorite cinnamon bun recipe a dear friend gave me many years ago, but I couldn't find it, so I went on-line and watched The Joy of Baking recipe video for cinnamon rolls/buns, and used their recipe instead.
It's a bit of a putsy project since the dough has to rise twice.
The end result is worth the wait, regardless of the calories!
They pair perfectly with a cup of hot tea!
The polka dot box on the napkin came from American Girl Place. It contains "Table Talker" cards. Guests take turns choosing a card from the box and then read their questions aloud. Everyone at the table has the opportunity to talk about them. A few examples in the box: "Have you ever gotten lost? What happened?" "What is your happiest childhood memory?" "What makes a good loser? Are you one?" And so on.
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Oh, Yum!! I enjoyed seeing your photos in the previous post and learning about the American Girl.
ReplyDeleteMmm, I can smell the cinnamon! Wish I were there to taste it! ;)
ReplyDeleteYour cinnamon buns look delicious. It sounds like the owner of the AG company had an ideal childhood, and she wanted to pass part of that on to others. Very sweet. The table talker cards would be a fun way to get an interesting conversation going at the tea table.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to take my niece to this American Girl store!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming story, Phyllis. I would love to visit there. My youngest son is living in Urbana, IL. and always has to travel to Chicago to fly out. Should we ever have the pleasure of visiting him down there, I must get him to take us to AG Company.
ReplyDeleteYour cinnamon buns sound delicious. I have made them that way a few times when I used to make bread. I make them without the yeast now but I know my hubby would love these! Thank you for sharing at my HOME and have a beautiful day.
Blessings,
Sandi
What a sweet story! I was in a Americal Girl store with a resturant a few years ago and now wished I would have ate there. Your cinnamon rolls look delicious! They are perfect for a cold winter morning with tea! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Yummy! I could use one of those about now!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the warm welcome-I do love cinnamon buns right out of the oven!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Yum! And I love the story of why the AG tearoom serves cinnamon rolls. Yours look quite delicious!
ReplyDeleteOh Yummmm! Love cinnamon buns and can almost smell these. They look so good.
ReplyDelete