Sweet Tea
Sweet Tea
Makes 1 pitcher
2 family sized tea bags
3 cups water
1-2 cups sugar (depending on taste)
Ice
Place tea bags in teapot or saucepan and bring to simmer with water. Add sugar to taste. Pour into serving pitcher over ice. Add cold water to fill pitcher. Add more ice and stir. Can refrigerate.
Variations: Can add lemon slices or apple slices. Can add mint. If under-sweetened, can utilize rock candy for garnish.
Crab-Stuffed Deviled Eggs
Crab-Stuffed Deviled Eggs
Yields 6-8 servings
12 large eggs
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Juice of half a lemon
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 cup celery leaves, chopped
1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped
1/2 pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Place the eggs in a large saucepan and cover with water by 1-inch. Bring to a boil. As soon as the water comes to a boil, set a timer and boil the eggs for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and place in the sink. Drain, and run with cold running water until cool enough to handle. Peel the eggs and cut them in half lengthwise.
Remove the yolks from the whites and put them in a medium-size bowl. With the back of a fork, mash the yolks then add the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, celery leaves and parsley leaves, and mix well. Add the crabmeat and gently stir to mix. Season with salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Spoon equal amounts of the mixture into the egg white halves and chill well before serving.
Overnight Eggnog Streusel Coffee Cake
Overnight Eggnog Streusel Coffee Cake
Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:9 hr 20 min
Makes:15 servings
Streusel Topping
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Coffee Cake
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup eggnog
1 container (8 ounces) sour cream
1 teaspoon rum extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Eggnog Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons eggnog
Grease bottom only of rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches, with shortening. In small bowl, mix all Streusel Topping ingredients with fork until crumbly; set aside.
In large bowl, beat 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup butter with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Beat in 1 cup eggnog, the sour cream, rum extract and eggs until blended. Stir in 2 1/2 cups flour, the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Spread in pan. Sprinkle Streusel Topping over batter. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
Heat oven to 350°F. Uncover pan; bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes.
In small bowl, mix all Eggnog Glaze ingredients until smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over coffee cake. For servings, cut into 5 rows by 3 rows.
Lemon-Parsley Gougeres
Lemon-Parsley Gougeres
MAKES 60; SERVES 8 to 10
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 large eggs
Zest of 1 lemon
3 scallions, finely chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh curly-leaf parsley
Bring 1 cup water, the butter, salt, and cayenne to a boil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan; boil until butter has melted. Remove from heat; stir in flour. Return to burner; cook, stirring, until mixture comes together and pulls away from the pan, about 2 minutes more.
Remove from heat. Using a wooden spoon, beat in 4 eggs, 1 at a time, until they are incorporated and smooth. Stir in zest, scallions, and parsley. Transfer mixture to a piping bag, and cut a 1/2-inch opening. Pipe 1-inch rounds onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Alternatively, drop rounded teaspoons of batter onto baking sheets lined with parchment. If not using immediately, freeze up to 1 month in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees;. Whisk together remaining egg and 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl; lightly brush on top of each puff. Bake until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
Almond Petits Fours
Almond Petits Fours
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for baking sheet
1 1/4 cups cake flour (not self-rising), plus more for baking sheet
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup almond paste
4 large eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup cherry preserves, processed in a food processor
Sugar Glaze (recipe follows)
Gum paste cherry blossoms (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 12-by-17- inch rimmed baking sheet, and line with parchment paper. Butter parchment, and dust with flour, tapping out excess; set aside. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl; set aside.
Put 3/4 cup sugar and the almond paste into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 2 minutes. Raise speed to medium-high. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in egg yolks and vanilla. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
Put egg whites into the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold one-third of egg-white mixture into batter with a rubber spatula. Gently fold in remaining egg-white mixture.
Spread evenly into prepared sheet. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to wire rack; let cool completely. Unmold; remove parchment. Cut cake in half crosswise. Spread one half with preserves; top with remaining half. Refrigerate 1 hour. Trim cake, and cut into 11/2-inch squares. Transfer to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour glaze over each petit four, spreading over top and sides to coat completely. Reuse glaze, straining to remove any solids, if needed. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. Garnish with blossoms. Cakes can be refrigerated up to 2 days.
Sugar Glaze
Makes 4 1/2 cups
12 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 cup whole milk
Pink gel-paste food coloring
Put sugar into a large bowl. Gradually add milk, whisking until mixture is consistency of heavy cream. Tint with food coloring. If glaze becomes too thick, add more milk; if it becomes too thin, add more sugar. Use immediately.
Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns
Makes 2 dozen
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for bowl, pan, and knife
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons (2 packages) active dry yeast
1 tablespoon coarse salt
Zest of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 orange
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 1/3 cups currants
Bun Crossing Paste (recipe follows)
1/2 cup apricot jam
Generously butter a large bowl; set aside. Place 1 cup milk in a small saucepan, over medium heat. Heat until milk reaches 110 degrees on a candy thermometer. Pour milk into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. With machine on low speed, add granulated sugar, yeast, salt, butter, lemon zest, orange zest, and eggs. Add flour, and mix on low speed until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms around dough hook. Continue kneading, scraping down hook and sides of bowl as necessary, until smooth, about 4 minutes more.
Add currants; knead, with dough hook, to incorporate. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead briefly to evenly distribute currants in dough. Shape into a ball. Place dough in prepared bowl. Turn to coat with butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Turn dough out onto work surface. Knead briefly and roll dough into a log. Cut log in half and cut each half into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a tightly formed ball. Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Cover baking sheets with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until buns are touching and doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees with racks positioned in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Place bun crossing paste in a pastry bag fitted with a small plain tip or a paper cornet with a 1/8-inch opening. Pipe crosses over the surface of each bun. Transfer buns to oven and bake until golden brown, 18 to 25 minutes, rotating baking sheets after 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, place apricot jam in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until heated through; strain through a mesh sieve set over a bowl. Brush heated jam over buns.
Bun Crossing Paste
Makes enough for 2 dozen buns
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup flour (scant)
Pinch of salt
In a medium bowl, whisk together oil and 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon water. Add flour and salt, and whisk until well combined. Let stand 1 hour before using.
Irish Cream Bundt Cake
Irish Cream Bundt Cake
Yields 12 servings
1 cup chopped pecans
1 18 1/4 oz. package yellow cake mix
1 3.4 oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup water
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over bottom of pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and pudding mix. Mix in eggs, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup oil and 3/4 cup Irish cream liqueur. Beat for 5 minutes at high speed. Pour batter over nuts in pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then invert onto the serving dish. Prick top and sides of cake.
Spoon glaze over top and brush onto sides of cake. Allow to absorb glaze repeat until all glaze is used up. To make the glaze: In a saucepan, combine butter, 1/4 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup Irish cream.
Oreo Biscotti
Oreo Biscotti
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
2 squares Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add flour, baking powder and salt; mix well. Stir in chopped cookies. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into 9×3-inch loaf on lightly greased baking sheet with floured hands.
BAKE 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Cut each loaf diagonally into 16 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. Place slices, cut sides up, on same baking sheet. Bake an additional 10 to 12 minutes on each side or until lightly toasted on both sides. Cool completely on wire rack.
DRIZZLE cooled biscotti with melted chocolate.
Chai Tea with Milk
Chai Tea with Milk
Serves 4
10 whole green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
5 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 piece fresh ginger (about 2 inches), peeled and quartered
1/2 vanilla bean split lengthwise and scraped
1/3 cup honey, plus more for serving (optional)
4 bags black tea
1 1/2 cups milk
1. Place 3 cups water in a small saucepan; add cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla bean and scrapings. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer until mixture is aromatic, about 15 minutes. Whisk in honey; drop tea bags in pan. Turn off heat, and let steep 3 minutes.
2. Strain tea through a fine strainer or a coffee filter into a warmed serving pot. Heat milk in same saucepan over medium-high heat, about 3 minutes. Do not let milk come to a boil because it will separate. Pour into serving pot with the tea, and stir well to combine. Serve immediately, with more honey on the side if desired.
Note: Tea can be kept in the fridge up to several days to have a ready supply available before mixing it with milk.
Far Breton
Far Breton
Recipe courtesy of Dorie Greenspan, from Baking: From My Home to Yours
Serves 8
3 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for pan
3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 cup pitted prunes
1/3 cup dark raisins
1/4 cup Armagnac or 1 cup hot tea, such as Earl Grey
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
1. Place eggs, milk, sugar, salt, vanilla, and melted butter in a blender or food processor and blend for 1 minute. Add flour, and pulse several times. Pour batter into a pitcher, cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours, or preferably overnight.
2. Meanwhile, place prunes, raisins, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until water is almost evaporated. Turn off heat and pour Armagnac evenly over fruit. Using a long, lighted match, ignite the alcohol and stand back until the flame dies out. Pour the fruit and its liquid into a heatproof bowl, and set aside. If using tea, place prunes and raisins in a heatproof bowl and pour tea evenly over fruit. Let cool to room temperature, cover, and set aside.
3. Place rack in center of the oven and preheat to 375°. Butter an 8-by-2-inch round cake pan; line the bottom with parchment or wax paper. Butter the paper and dust the pan with flour, tapping out any excess. Place the pan on a baking sheet.
4. Remove batter from refrigerator and whisk to reblend. Forcefully tap the bottom of the pitcher on your work surface to break any top bubbles. Pour batter into prepared pan. Add the fruit, evenly distributing it within the batter; discard any remaining soaking liquid. Bake until top of the cake is puffed and brown and a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire cooling rack and cool to room temperature.
5. To unmold, place a piece of parchment or wax paper over the wire cooling rack and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Have your serving plate ready. Run a blunt knife between the cake and the sides of the pan and gently turn cake out onto the prepared rack; quickly invert onto the serving plate. Dust with more confectioners’ sugar just before serving.
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