The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Readers praise Cape Breton chef’s cinnamon rolls
SYDNEY — Who knew the modest Cape Breton cinnamon roll had such broad appeal?
The Cape Breton Post recently profiled Port Hood's Mary Janet Macdonald's foray into online baking instruction through a Facebook tutorial on how to make cinnamon rolls.
In addition to attracting large numbers of readers on our website, it attracted a massive number of emails from people looking for more details on how to make the traditional treat and, even more so, people wanting to thank Macdonald for providing a bright moment in a time when people are dealing with the stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing.
Clips from Macdonald's video were also played on CBC Radio's national program As It Happens.
Macdonald has made her baking tutorials a weekly event, with a new live show each Sunday at 2 p.m. Atlantic time, on the Facebook page Tunes and Wooden Spoons.
Macdonald, now 68, said she never expected to become a Facebook star.
“You're never too old to do something new,” she said.
The new recipe posted Sunday was porridge brown bread.
A selection of comments we received about the feature;
Gayle Macrae — Just watched your feed. I make a similar cinnamon roll however we do Maple Syrup (Macrae's Rocky Ridge Maple) in Upper North River
Nova Scotia, just north of Truro.
I use Maple Sugar instead of brown sugar and drizzle with a maple glaze. Yummy either way.
Enjoyed your demo. Eileen Bourgeault — Thank you so much for posting this! I am sitting in my home on Cape Cod. (Like half the world)
My parents were from CB and I am blessed to have a small bungalow in Middle Cape! I have my King Cole tea and just had to thank you and Mary Janet for today's visit!
May God bless and keep everyone safe. I copied the recipe and will be baking them this week!
Judy Park, Lark Harbour, N.L. — Thank you Mary for your sharing your recipe, really enjoyed watching you make it. I also make cinnamon buns ... a little variant from yours, needless to say they are good. Kids are always excited for cinnamon buns, grownups as well. lol
I would love to try your porridge bread, hope I can find you again. Thanks again for sharing. Stay safe.
Anne Curley — I make cinnamon rolls quite often and my little granddaughter started making them with me when she was about four years old standing on a chair! She is 16 now and loves to bake and one of her favourites is cinnamon rolls. I'm making some now and having tea with you! My recipe is the same except I add an egg, not sure if it makes any difference. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed watching you, because you are so down to earth and chatted about everything. I actually felt like I was in your kitchen! Please continue to do this, especially now, we all need the company! Hugs from P.E.I.