literary gluttony

Sometimes the best kind of adventure is the one that asks nothing of you—no dragons to slay, no kingdoms to save, just a warm cup of coffee and good company in a cozy little café that smells like vanilla and cinnamon. That’s exactly what Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree delivers.

This low-stakes, high-heart fantasy follows Viv, an orc warrior ready to retire from the blade and open the first-ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. What follows is a gentle, satisfying story about building a new life, finding unexpected friends, and believing in something soft, even if you’ve spent your life being hard.

It’s the ultimate feel-good fantasy: rich, warm, and just sweet enough.

So naturally, it needs the perfect snack to go with it.

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🍬 The Recipe: Brown Butter Cinnamon Rolls (with a Maple Glaze)

These aren’t your average cinnamon rolls. Browning the butter adds a nutty depth that mirrors the comforting, caramel tones of Legends & Lattes. The maple glaze? Just a little indulgent—kind of like opening a coffee shop when everyone expects you to still be swinging a sword.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• ¾ cup warm milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs

For the filling:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, browned
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp cardamom (optional but lovely)

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1–2 tbsp milk or cream
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Make the dough: Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let bloom for 5–10 min. Mix in melted butter, eggs, salt, and flour. Knead until soft and elastic. Let rise for 1 hour.
2. Brown the butter: In a saucepan, melt butter until golden and nutty. Cool slightly.
3. Fill and roll: Roll dough into a rectangle. Brush with browned butter, sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom. Roll tightly and slice.
4. Bake: Arrange in a greased pan and let rise again for 30–40 minutes. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
5. Glaze: Whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle while rolls are warm.

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📚 Why It Works:

Legends & Lattes is a book about simple pleasures—coffee, conversation, comfort. These cinnamon rolls are just that. They’re not flashy, but they are soul-satisfying. The kind of thing that makes you believe, just a little, in the magic of everyday life.

So light a candle, grab your softest blanket, and spend a Sunday with Viv, Thimble, and the scent of cinnamon drifting through your kitchen.

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Have you read Legends & Lattes yet? What comfort food would you pair with your favorite cozy read? Let me know below!