I know I’m not alone in wanting to enjoy every possible minute outdoors before it gets too hot.  So I plan to make an extra effort to announce to Hubby in advance that we’re going to be enjoying breakfast on the patio.  {He responds so much better to change with advance notice}

To go along with dining outdoors, which always feel special, I’m sharing a recipe I found on a relatively new (to me) blog site.  Pine Cones and Acorns is written by Elizabeth and she recently posted a recipe for Cinnamon Roll Cake.  It is just what the title implies…the yummy goodness of a rich, buttery cinnamon roll in an easy, make-ahead, cake.  That with a cup of steaming hot coffee and a bit of half and half and I’m in heaven.

Note:  For original recipe visit the link above or below.  I halved the recipe since I knew I was baking for 2 and I didn’t want to be forced to eat all of it and thereby gain 5 lbs.  As a result, I cooked it in a loaf pan and baked it the night before.  I glazed it the morning I served it. It was delicious!

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Recipe adapted from Pine Cones and Acorns

Ingredients:

1 1/2  cups flour

1/8 tps salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 cup milk

1 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tb. butter, melted

2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened

1/2  cup brown sugar

1 T flour

1 1/2 Tb cinnamon

nuts (optional)

Glaze: 

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 Tb milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions for cake: With an electric mixer or stand-up mixer, mix flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in 2 T melted butter. Pour batter into a greased loaf pan pan.

Directions for cinnamon mixture that goes in cake before baked:  In a large bowl, mix the 1 stick of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nuts (optional) until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoon and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center.

Directions for Glaze:  Place powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cake. Serve warm or (if you prepare it the night before) at room temperature.

But wait, there’s more, with this recipe I’m including some lovely outdoor dining tablescapes, compliments of hours of on-line searching by moi!

I realize that the images are showing tables with multiple place settings but I trust  you can gather some inspiration and set your table for however many folks you are serving.

Don’t you love the little rock on each napkin to hold them if there’s a strong breeze?  I also like the small galvanized cup holding a plant.  You can get creative and informal outdoors, I say the more rustic the better.

I’ve always liked the idea of using throws when dining outdoors.  I’ve even seen them priced so reasonably online.

How lucky are these people (below).  I would love to have a body of water in my backyard to dine by.  A stream, a lake, a pond…any of those would rock my world.

I really need to update my photo portfolio of my own patio table.  This is the table we still use, but these are the “killer chairs” and now we have Kooboo wicker chairs.

Here’s the new chairs.  Very comfy and relaxing.

A fireplace would be nice on a chilly morning, don’t you agree?

{via}

Do you have an outdoor dining space? 

I’m visiting Fishtail Cottage for her garden party.