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50 More Perennials You’ll Regret Planting

May 25, 2019

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Perennials are a fantastic, low maintenance investment for flower gardeners.  Plant them once and they’ll return year after year.  However, some perennials are a little too good at their job and can quickly take over your flowerbed and crawl into your lawn.  What you thought was a low maintenance plant can quickly become your worst nightmare.

Last year I published a post on the 28 Perennials You’ll Regret Planting in Zone 2 and Zone 3.  I never dreamed it would get the kind of response it did as people are passionate about perennials that seem like a good idea and quickly become more than a new gardener can handle.

I’ve compiled a list of readers suggestions of perennials, vines, and a few self-seeding annuals that can quickly get out of control.  Please remember that I have not planted most of these and am using the experiences and suggestions of others.

What is an invasive perennial in one area, might not even be possible to grow in another.  When in doubt, google your Province or State plus the term “list of invasive plants.”

Finally, one man’s invasive perennial is another man’s favourite flower.  If you love it, plant it.  Don’t let some gardening-blogger-on-the-internet stop you. 😉

One man's invasive perennial is another man's favourite flower.Click To Tweet

Vines of Misery

Sure, these vines may look beautiful, but they can strip paint when removed, clog your gutters, take over trees, and even survive salted ground and dog pee.

1. Bittersweet Nightshade Vine

2. Clematis

Seems to be a trend with purple flowering plants. . .

3. Hops

I can personally attest to the ferociousness of this vine.  During a good growing year it would climb the entire height of our antenna!!  I can only imagine what it would do in an area warmer than zone 3.

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4. Ivy and English Ivy

Stories of terror include peeling paint of a house and surviving both salt and dog pee.

5. Passionflower Vine

This vine is super invasive in Texas–a place where most of the flowers on my previous list are impossible to grow.  Think about that for a moment.

6. Puncture Vine

Don’t let those sweet yellow flowers fool you.

7. Sweet Potato Vines

Where I live in Zone 3 it is very difficult almost impossible to grow sweet potatoes and their vines are not a problem.  However, if you live in a very warm zone like 8 or 9–beware!

8. Sweet Autumn Clematis

Yes, the multitude of white blooms are gorgeous, but require a lot of maintenance to keep under control.

9. Vinica Minor/Small Periwinkle

Thank your lucky stars if you live in a colder area of North America, because it won’t be invasive for you.

10. Vinica Major/Periwinkle

Same as above, only with larger blooms.

11. Wisteria

Sure, they look gorgeous, but this vine is not for the low maintenance gardener.  More than one reader has tales of an unchecked Wisteria vine destroying pergolas and climbing into neighbouring trees within 5 years.

So what vines are good to plant?  One reader suggests star jasmine, pink jasmine, banks rose and tangerine beauty.

Related: 53 Favourite Perennials You Need to Plant Now

Herbs Gone Wild

12. Oregano

13. Chives

I personally love chives, so I’m okay with them growing a lot.  It’s a joy to be able to share some with friends.  If you want to stop your chive plant from growing, remove all the purple flowers before they go to seed.

14. Creeping Thyme

Any plant that has the word “creeping” in its name is bound to be a problem.

15. Feverfew

Feverfew looks like a daisy and it’s medicinal use is primarily for headaches and migraines.

16. Herbs with the name Mint in them

Chocolate Mint, Mojito Mint, Spearmint, you name it.  If it has the word mint in it, plant it in a pot unless you want it to take over your lawn.

17. St. John’s Wort

Fun fact–the name of the plant comes from it’s usual blooming time of around June 24th, the feast of St. John.  It’s also used for many medicinal purposes.  Not so fun fact–it will grow everywhere in short order.

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Self-Seeding Annual Flowers

18. Four-O-Clocks/Mirabilis

Mirabilis means wonderful in Latin.  These flowers are wonderful to look at, but horrible for self-seeding themselves everywhere.

19. Gazania

20. Torenia/Wishbone Flower/Crown Flower

Unfortunately I couldn’t find any stock photos of this flower, so head over to the Spruce to see a picture.

Related: The Best Flowers to Grow for a Cut Flower Garden all Summer Long

If it has Weed in the name. . .

You really should know better, right?  Here’s a couple of offenders:

21. Bindweed and Morning Glory

22. Bugleweed/Ajuga

I grew up all my life referring to this plant as “Pilgerweed” because my Dad got this plant from a friend in Pilger and it invaded a good portion of our lawn on the farm.  No small feat when your lawn takes 4 hours to mow on a riding mower.

To be fair, I actually kind of like this one.  The purple flowers really cheer up my weedy lawn.

23. Japanese Knotweed

24. Beware the Birdseed

If your bird feeder is over your lawn, either invest in good quality seed that doesn’t contain alfalfa as a filler, or put your bird feeder over a location with cement on the ground.  If you don’t, you could end up with some unexpected surprises.

Perennial Flowers You’ll Regret Planting

25. Bouncing Betty/Soapwort

Bouncing Betty gets its cute name from an early pioneer who left cuttings of soapwort as she travelled across America.  Soapwort was used as a natural laundry soap, so she was doing all the future families who would arrive in her location a huge favour.  Now?  Maybe not so much.

26. Chameleon Plant

The chameleon plant can be green with white flowers as shown, or more commonly, with red rimmed and green centred leaves.  They’re very pretty, but can quickly take over a yard.

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27. Columbine

Columbine isn’t a problem where I live, but it is a self seeder and can really go to town in warmer climates.

28. Crocosmia

I laughed out loud when I researched this plant and the first variety I stumbled upon was called Lucifer.  Make of that what you will.

29. Crown Vetch

Helpful for stopping erosion, but not so helpful in your flower bed.

30. Gooseneck

Gooseneck is part of the loosestrife family, and like it’s purple cousin, it has a dangerous spreading habit.

31. Bishops hood/Jack in the pulpit

A very intriguing shade plant.

32. Lamb’s Ears

Lambs ears are lovely in a children’s garden or a sensory garden, but can take over said garden in warmer growing zones.

33. Monkshood

A popular old-fashioned perennial. This one is also highly poisonous, so do not plant it if you have any pets or kids.

34. Primrose

There are many varieties of Primrose, and not all are invasive.  The hardy yellow cowslip variety is a prolific self-seeder.  One reader laments that “the more you pull them up, the faster they spread.”

35. Obedient Plant

Obedient plants may behave in your flower arrangement, but they certainly don’t behave in the garden.  They’re a flowering member of the mint family, so no surprises there.  Obedient plants also use the alia Dragonhead flowers, as they resemble snapdragons.

36. Jacob’s Ladder/Polemonium

Another beautiful perennial that self-seeds like there’s no tomorrow.

37. Black Eyed Susan/Rudbeckia

Some varieties are more well behaved than others.  Despite the spreading habit, they provide a welcome hit of colour for a long stretch in the summer.

38. Scotch Broom

39. Snow on the Mountain

This plant as pictured is extremely poisonous.  It retains its poison even after it dies.  Do not plant if you have small children or pets.

40. Spiderwort

Sometimes called Widow’s Tears. . . maybe because you’ll cry if you plant them?  (Joke!!)

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41. Violets

Violets sometimes also go by the name Jenny jump ups or Johnny jump ups.  Whatever you call them, they can be a little surprise in your lawn that’s hard to get rid of.

Shrubs

42. Chamisa/Rabbit Bush

43. Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon is not actually a rose, but a member of the mallow family.  It’s a prolific self seeder, but is prized in the South Eastern US because it can tolerate the intense heat.

44. Yucca

Grasses

45. Ribbon Grass

Ribbon Grass is so beautiful, but over time will work it’s way into your other grass and is hard to get rid of.

46. Bamboo

Bamboo is excellent in it’s natural habitat.  In your home garden?  Not so much.

47. Horsetail Reed

Similar to bamboo and just as much if not more work to keep it where you want it.

Only in Texas

48. Prickly Pear Cactus

An edible cactus with a spreading habit.  In colder climates this cactus does not spread.  In really cold places, like where I live, they make adorable house plants.

Phewf, that was a long list!  If you don’t see your most hated perennial on this list, check back to my original list of 28.  Still not there?  Head down to the comments and tell me about it!

Perennial flowers are the heros of the low maintenance flower bed. However, some perennial flowers can easily grow out of control. Here's 50 plants you'll want to keep out of your garden, especially if you're a beginner. #gardening #flowergarden #perennial #flowers

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Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

26 Comments
Filed Under: Gardening Tagged: flower bed, flower garden, Flowers, invasive, perennials

About Kristen Raney

Kristen is a former farm kid turned urban gardener who owns the popular gardening website, Shifting Roots.  She is obsessed with growing flowers and pushing the limits of what can be grown in her zone 3b garden.  She also loves to grow tomatoes, but oddly enough, dislikes eating them raw.

Comments

  1. Sandee says

    May 29, 2018 at 10:41 am

    I agree with not planting yucca! I had some in a flower bed on the corner of my drive. They were out of control and I decided to move them to a place where they could go crazy and not hurt a thing. We had to dig them out with a tractor. Thinking they were gone, added more soil and planted flowers. Within 2 weeks I had at least a dozen baby Wicca growing there. This started the viscous cycle, dig them up, they come back. It's been 5 years of this and they still keep coming up. Roundup doesn't kill them either.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      May 29, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      Oh no!! That's sounds so terrible! And you don't want to rip out your newly planted flowers either.
      Reply
    • Roxanne says

      August 26, 2018 at 5:06 am

      It happened exactly the same in my garden The baby ones keep coming back. They are like weeds.
      Reply
    • judy B says

      June 21, 2019 at 1:59 pm

      I had a similar problem. I found they have a Tap Root and to get all of mine out, we dug 3 to 4 feet down and still did not reach the end. But we cut it at that point and poured a bit of Triox vegetation killer on what was down at bottom of hole. Buried it and planted and never saw hide nor hair of it again. But It was a chore and a half.
      Reply
  2. Joanne says

    May 30, 2018 at 7:55 am

    Certainly will agree with some of these, such as horsetail! Evil weed! I stopped putting bird seed in the feeder because the seeds started growing on my cement patio! However, i don't mind columbines that are spreading to other locations, Crocosomia or Montbretia because I love the flowers, and Nigella or Love-in-a-Mist which are in every pot & garden. I must have a different Rose of Sharon because it hasn't spread anywhere. It's a large tree now & I can't wait for all the blooms to open! Love Black-eyed Susan & Passionflower also. Have an entire Passionflower Pinterest board.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      May 30, 2018 at 9:23 am

      With the Rose of Sharon, it might also be your location. Where I'm from, we can't even grow a lot of these options. I also find crocosomia aren't a problem here either.
      Reply
      • Joanne says

        May 30, 2018 at 9:32 am

        You might also add bluebells, forget-me-nots & lamium to the list. I also have some other rapidly spreading ground-covers in one garden which have pretty flowers that I do not remember the names of. Wish I could remember the one I planted a few years ago that had the worst smell! The more you pulled it out the faster it spread! Finally got rid of it!
        Reply
  3. Lauren says

    May 30, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    You know what is a horrible perennial? Lily of the valley! Not only is it poisonous to pets and children, but it will take over and you cannot kill it, but it will kill everything else!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      June 3, 2018 at 9:11 am

      I agree. They are everywhere in my yard!
      Reply
  4. Patty Jones says

    May 30, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    We live in NE Illinois. I'm STILL fighting those beautiful Morning Glories after 10 years. Also, we don't have issues with Rose of Sharon. But, did I miss Lily of the Valley on this list? Oh the mistakes this novice gardener has made. :(
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      June 3, 2018 at 9:11 am

      Lily of the Valley is on my original post of 28 perennials you'll regret planting. I guess when I make a follow up post next year, I'll just have to merge the two.
      Reply
  5. Barb M. says

    May 30, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    One more to add to the list--Bishop's Weed (or Gout Weed or called Snow on the Mountain sometimes, but not the one you show). It's a variegated green and white foliage ground cover with insignificant white flowers once a year. Do not buy this, allow a "friend" to gift you with some, or let any small stand of it stay! It has haunted me at three different homes and survives and spreads if you pull it and pile it anywhere too. Pull it and burn it!! We are far north also in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and not even our winters slow it down. Great list! A few like columbines and Gloriosa daisies I do enjoy popping up around the garden and they're easy to spot and pull. Annual poppies can reseed like that too. Perennial Oriental poppies--the usually huge orange flowers can be dug out over and over for years on end! I only wish some of our favorite flowers were so hardy as the ones on this list! This past winter seems to have been a tough one on plants and I lost a lot of roses, my lavender and even all my Columbine seedlings out back.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      June 3, 2018 at 9:10 am

      I agree! There's so many beautiful well behaved plants. . .if only winter wouldn't kill them! My stargazer lily bit the dust this year. Bishop's Weed is the absolute worst! When I made my original post, it was the most hated perennial of all.
      Reply
  6. Cindie Winquist says

    May 30, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    Great article. Definitely agree with all of these. I would add (from my experience in Wisconsin), fern leaf Tansy, Centaurea Montana (I love the blue, so deal with its propensity to self-seed), and Hemerocallis fulva (orange daylily, or "ditch-lily"). My main nemesis is Creeping bellflower, Campanula rapunculoides. Drives me CrAzY! I personally enjoy columbine (it's easy enough to control) and have several different varieties. I also have a soft spot for clematis, and am in the process of collecting them. I've not had any problems with any of my clematis getting out of hand; however, I do not plant sweet autumn, due to its invasive habit and need for substantial support.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      June 3, 2018 at 9:08 am

      I also despise creeping bellflower. I feel as if I will never get rid of it. When I made my original article about most-hated perennials, it came in second.
      Reply
      • Jim says

        October 6, 2019 at 9:46 am

        I had a large perennial garden at my house of 30 years (zone 6) but, sadly, I didn't transplant any favourites when I moved (zone 5) this summer. Bindweed, creeping bellflower, lilly of the valley were everywhere as well as several others kinds mentioned in this list. The new place has thistle to deal with. :-)
        Reply
  7. Lizbeth Carlson says

    June 1, 2018 at 1:48 pm

    We moved into a house in December with a back yard full of gravel that I was looking forward to turning into flower/succulent beds. A couple of months later I discovered stuff growing up my walls and across the gravel! It turns out it's cats' claw. This stuff is almost impossible to kill and spreads with underground tubers. I have started to drill holes in the tubers and injecting Ground Clear into them. From what I've read, it may take several years to get rid of it - that is, if I'm lucky enough to get rid of it. Extremely invasive! I live in the Phoenix, AZ area and they love the heat. I hate using this poison, but nothing else seems to work. :( Got any suggestions?
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      June 3, 2018 at 9:06 am

      I've never heard of it before, but it sounds terrible! Probably the only other thing you could do is to put weed fabric over it and at least 4 inches of mulch. However, my invasive perennials still manage to work their way through any weak spots, so I don't know if you want to use that method. It's non-chemical, but it's not perfect.
      Reply
  8. Anna says

    June 6, 2018 at 7:30 pm

    Thanks! I want to get rid of a huge, wasteful lawn on my property, and now I know exactly what to plant that can outgrow it. Very useful article.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      June 6, 2018 at 10:46 pm

      Awesome! I'm glad you found it helpful. I think a lawn of mint would be kind of cool, plus the smell every time you walked on it would be nice.
      Reply
  9. Chasty says

    January 12, 2019 at 9:28 pm

    What do you know about Asclepsia incarnata? Are they invasive as well? I live in zone 5. I planted one in the end of last fall and I’m hoping it doesn’t cause me problems.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      January 15, 2019 at 9:05 am

      From what I can gather, it might get out of hand if your spot is on the swampy side, but if the soil is drier it shouldn't get out of control. If you're really concerned, try collecting the seed pods in the fall to prevent it from going to seed. It will still spread from the rhizomes. If anyone is reading this and is in zone 5, would you mind commenting on your experience? I'm from zone 3 and have no experience with this plant, so I'm going off of what I can research.
      Reply
  10. Kathy Swafford says

    March 3, 2019 at 4:39 pm

    I consider Japanese blood grass and pain in the back, mine all turned solid green and grew to 2 feet tall, took me 2 seasons to get it all out of there. those roots were everywhere. I am in west central Illinois. zone 5. It is a struggle to get the Rose of Sharon to grow at all here, very slow growing. My Siberian Iris were purple for 3 years then next year they were all yellow, what's with that? These postings have been very helpful. If any of the plants you comment on are pet or human toxic it would be nice to know. I try to avoid those at all costs before I even think about planting them.
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      March 5, 2019 at 9:10 am

      That's a very good point! I'll have to write something about plants that are toxic to pets and kids in the future.
      Reply
  11. Joan says

    April 19, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    How does everyone feel about purslane? I know it’s edible and loaded with nutrients but it totally took over my rose garden and grew in every little crack it could find!!
    Reply
    • Kristen Raney says

      April 22, 2019 at 9:54 am

      I know lots of people like to eat it, but I think its a terrible weed!
      Reply

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Welcome!

Hi, I'm Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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Instagram post 2196671569572144940_2204272319 The Christmas baking tray wouldn't be complete without a batch of butter tarts! (Well, at least in Canada 🍁. . . )  I personally love butter tarts with or without nuts or raisins, but I think I love this cranberry version the best of all.⁠
⁠
I'm curious, are you team plain, nuts, raisins, or cranberry butter tart?⁠
⁠
Whatever version you choose, I love making butter tarts because they look fancy, but they're super fast and easy to make--perfect for those who don't do a lot of baking the rest of the year.⁠
⁠
Here's the recipe. . . ⁠
⁠
1/2 cup butter ⁠
1 beaten egg⁠
1 cup brown sugar ⁠
1 tbsp flour⁠
1 tsp vanilla⁠
2 tbsp cream⁠
1 cup dried cranberries ⁠
16 tart pastry shells⁠
⁠
Combine all ingredients (except shells) into a med high pot. Stir until combined and melted and remove from heat when boiled. Fill tart shells. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Cool and serve.
Instagram post 2195916441484264107_2204272319 The 12 Days of Christmas Baking: Day 9⁠
⁠
You know what is always one of the first things to go on the baking trays?  Anything with cream cheese.  These mocha mint cheesecake bites will help keep you awake at the party, and be a hit with your guests.⁠
⁠
1 box of oreos (36 cookies),⁠
1/2 cup melted butter,⁠
2 envelopes powdered whip topping,⁠
1/2 cup milk,⁠
1/2 cup cold brew coffee⁠
2 bricks cream cheese⁠
4 crushed candy canes⁠
Instructions⁠
⁠
Pulse Oreo cookies in a food processor until they are fine crumbs. Stir in melted butter and distribute amongst two lined muffin tins.⁠
Whip two envelopes of powdered whip topping with milk and cold brew coffee. Do not substitute regular whipping cream or all coffee with the powdered whip topping--it will not work!! Set aside.⁠
Whip cream cheese with a small amount of the whipped cream mixture until smooth. Add in the rest of the whipped cream mixture. Spoon overtop of oreo mixture.⁠
Crush four candy canes and sprinkle on top. Crushed Coffee Crisp tastes great too!⁠
⁠
P.S. If you don't like coffee, just replace the cold brew coffee with more milk. ⁠
P.P.S. If you don't have cold brew coffee on hand, brew regular coffee at twice the regular strength.
Instagram post 2195191325988479835_2204272319 DAY 8:  12 Days of Christmas Baking⁠
⁠
Let's take a small break from recipes today and discuss what makes a good baking tray.  The key is in the mix, and in the decor.  The goal of the baking tray is to be as appealing to as many people as possible.  Aim for 4-7 different types of baking.  I personally like to have the following types of goodies in mine: ⁠
⁠
✅One decorated cookie, like gingerbread or sugar cookies⁠
✅One chocolate-based item⁠
✅One item that contains jam or fruit⁠
✅One square⁠
✅Shortbread or one shortbread-based goodie⁠
✅One kid-friendly item⁠
and finally, if no one who will be eating the tray has any allergies. . .⁠
✅One thing that contains nuts⁠
⁠
You want to have a variety of different flavours and textures so that you keep your guests coming back for more.  And yes, I may have over-thought this a little bit!⁠
⁠
What's that one thing you hope will be on a baking tray?⁠
⁠
I always go for the shortbread!⁠
⁠
#bakingtray #christmasbaking #dainties #bakingaddition #bakinglover #bakinglovers #thefeedfeedbaking #christmastraditions
Instagram post 2194827779875063954_2204272319 This is me about three-almost-four years ago.  I had just done an interview for a self-love blog by @naomizurv . I was at an interesting place in my life because I was starting this blog, we had finally received Dominic’s Autism diagnosis, and my husband and I had decided that as much as we wanted more kids, it seemed we were destined to be a family of three.  This picture (and interview) was all about accepting life as it was and choosing to make the best of it.  Most of the time I was very happy, but there were times where acceptance only got me so far.  Friends kept having second and third babies, and while I was happy for them, I was sad for me.  Then last February—almost 7 years since Dominic was born—-we had our miracle second baby.  This May, we’ll be having a third surprise miracle baby. 
I’ve been really struggling with breaking the news on social.  While I am over-the-moon to be a Mom for the third time, I also keenly remember the woman in this photo who would have cried and felt bad for a week if I heard this news about someone else.  I also feel like every time I tell people about this pregnancy, they look at me like I’m crazy or are kind of making fun of me.  Just because this was not the timing I would have picked doesn’t mean this baby is any less special, loved, or fiercely wanted.  And while I’m very nervous about handling two babies 15 months apart, I know that it will be worth it to hold my baby I never even dared to dream of.

So there.  I’ve spilled the beans.  Now maybe I can show my face on social media again.  But if not, you know I’m just over here trying to wrap my head around some very big (and good!!) life changes.
Instagram post 2194466595210828187_2204272319 DAY 7: 12 days of Christmas Baking⁠
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So why am I showing you cinnamon buns that aren't cooked?  To prove how much delectable sauce will be at the bottom of this version. . . obviously. 😉⁠
⁠
You can make this cinnamon bun recipe the night before, then set it in the fridge to rise overnight.  Then all you have to do in the morning is heat the oven, cook the cinnamon buns while everyone is unwrapping presents, and they'll be fresh, hot, and ready by the time you're done.⁠
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I also like to save a bit of the sauce and pour it over the cinnamon buns right when they come out of the oven.⁠
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Ingredients:⁠
1 tbsp yeast,⁠
1 tbsp sugar,⁠
1 cup warm water,⁠
2 eggs,⁠
5 cups flour,⁠
pinch of salt,⁠
cinnamon for sprinkling,⁠
brown sugar for sprinkling,⁠
1/2 cup melted butter for rolls,⁠
1 cup cream,⁠
1 cup brown sugar,⁠
1 cup butter.⁠
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Instructions:⁠
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Dissolve sugar in warm water and add yeast. Let sit for ten minutes. Whisk in two eggs. Add flour one cup at a time and mix with dough hook. Add in the pinch of salt with one of your cups of flour. Do not add in the salt before the flour, as it can make the yeast less effective. Let the dough rise in a greased bowl for 60-90 minutes, or until doubled. If it is cold outside, let rise in an oven that has been warmed up and turned off.⁠
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To make sauce, combine the cream, brown sugar, and butter in a sauce pan and mix until combined. Do not boil.⁠
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When the dough has doubled, punch down and divide into 4 smaller balls. Roll out into a rectangle. Spread over some of the melted butter. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up and cut into pieces with a string (as shown in the photo above). Set in a greased pie plate or casserole dish and pour in some sauce. Reserve a bit of sauce for drizzling at the end. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Drizzle with reserved sauce and enjoy!⁠
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#christmasbaking #holidaybaking #cinnamonbuns #theeverygirlbakes #homesteadingskills #urbanhomesteadskills #bakingaddiction #bakinglover
Instagram post 2193741846005217737_2204272319 DAY 6: 12 Days of Christmas Baking⁠
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Today's recipe requires a little more time, but it's the weekend, so you can do it!  This recipe is what my family lovingly refers to as Hutzelbrot.  It's some sort of combination of 3 different German Christmas breads--if you want the full story you'll have to hop on the blog and read about the research I did.  Like many of my family recipes, it's roots are German, but it definitely got North-Americanized along the way.  Anyway.⁠
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It's better than fruitcake and delicious as a breakfast bread.  I didn't really like it as a kid, but now that I'm an adult I gobble it up like there's no tomorrow.⁠
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Ingredients⁠
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2 1/2 cups dried fruit such as peaches, pears, apples, figs, apricots, prunes, cranberries, or currants.⁠
1/2 cup of raisins⁠
5 1/4 cups unbleached white flour⁠
1/2 cup warm water⁠
1 1/2 tbsp dry yeast⁠
1/2 tsp sugar or honey⁠
1 cup liquid from cooking fruit⁠
1 tsp cinnamon⁠
1 tsp salt⁠
1 tsp grated lemon or orange peel⁠
1/2 tsp ground cloves⁠
1/4 cup honey⁠
1/2 cup melted butter⁠
Instructions⁠
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Boil all fruit except raisins. Drain and set one cup of liquid aside for use in the bread recipe.⁠
Combine sugar, yeast and 1/2 cup warm water and let yeast rise for 10 minutes.⁠
Put all ingredients in a mixer and mix with a dough hook until the dough makes a nice soft ball. You can mix by hand, but it is very difficult dough to work with and don't recommend it for beginners.⁠
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size. This can range from 1-2 hours depending on the humidity level where you live.⁠
Punch down and shape into loaves. Place in greased bread pans and poke holes in the top with a fork. Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour.⁠
Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes, or 25-30 minutes if you use smaller loaf pans.⁠
Notes⁠
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Rising times vary greatly depending on how much humidity is in the air on baking day. Even though the recipe takes a long time, most of that is spent impatiently waiting for the dough to rise.
Instagram post 2193017018314283996_2204272319 DAY 5: 12 days of Christmas Baking ⁠
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Shortbread is one of my favourite Christmas treats, but whenever I made it I would always mess it up.  The first time I tried to replace the butter with margarine. . . bad idea.  Another time, I chose a three ingredient recipe that was so crumbly it wasn't worth eating.  Then I found this recipe and everything was better!! Until 2 Christmas's ago when I went to Jamaica and decided to make them for my new relatives.  Hot and humid country + different butter= cookies that were a complete disaster.  However, we didn't throw them away and someone served them when everyone came to visit the condo we rented.  I was mortified, but my brother-in-law's family loved them, as they had never experienced North American style baking.⁠
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Moral of the story?  Don't make these in a tropical-weather country.  But even if they flop, they're still really delicious!⁠
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1 cup corn starch,⁠
1 cup icing sugar,⁠
2 cups flour,⁠
1 1/2 cups butter, softened⁠
Instructions⁠
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Mix all ingredients and spoon on to a cookie sheet.⁠
Optional: chill for 30 minutes and roll out for a cut cookie⁠
Apply sprinkles or cherries before baking⁠
Bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes. Cookies should have the barest hint of light brown at the edges. Makes 48 small cookies⁠
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If you want the cookies to look like this, skip the sprinkles and the cherries and bake them plain instead.  Once everything has cooled, dip cookies in melted white chocolate and sprinkles.
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