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Cranberry Orange Loaf
Bread & Baking American

Cranberry Orange Loaf

4.8

Prep
15 min
Cook
60 min
Total
85 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
  2. 2 Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in cranberries, pecans, and zest. Set aside.
  3. 3 Beat sugar, butter, and egg together in another large bowl until smooth. Stir in orange juice.
  4. 4 Beat in flour mixture until just moist. Pour into prepared pan.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until bread springs back when lightly touched, about 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes; turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

By Carol

Roasted Pecan Banana Bread Loaves
Bread & Baking American

Roasted Pecan Banana Bread Loaves

4.8

Prep
25 min
Cook
75 min
Total
120 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Spread pecans onto a rimmed baking sheet.
  2. 2 Toast in the preheated oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 45 minutes. Watch pecans carefully as they bake, as they burn quickly. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
  3. 3 Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray two 4-compartment mini loaf pans with cooking spray.
  4. 4 Combine toasted pecans, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
  5. 5 Mix bananas, sugar, butter, eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and coconut extract in a large bowl with a fork or an electric mixer on low speed. Stir in flour mixture until incorporated. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pans, filling each one about 3/4 full.
  6. 6 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool in the pans for 5 minutes before turning out onto a rack to finish cooling.

By atlantasassybelle

Easy Pecan Zucchini Bread
Bread & Baking American

Easy Pecan Zucchini Bread

4.5

Prep
15 min
Cook
60 min
Total
75 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
  2. 2 Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  3. 3 Beat sugar and eggs together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Gradually add oil; beat 2 minutes more. Mix in zucchini, pecans, and lemon extract. Fold in flour mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour.

By Phyllis Province

Spelt-Banana Bread
Bread & Baking American

Spelt-Banana Bread

5.0

Prep
15 min
Cook
60 min
Total
85 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat an 8 1/2x4 1/2-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. 2 Combine spelt flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
  3. 3 Beat eggs in a large bowl until light yellow in color. Stir in sour cream, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mash 2 bananas and add to the egg mixture. Dice remaining bananas and add to the bowl. Stir in 1 cup pecans. Pour flour mixture into the bowl with the egg-banana mixture and and stir just until flour is incorporated; do not over mix.
  4. 4 Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle 2 tablespoons pecans on top.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, 60 to 65 minutes.
  6. 6 Place pan on a rack to cool, about 10 minutes. Turn loaf out onto the rack to cool completely.

By Bibi

Applesauce Zucchini Bread
Bread & Baking American

Applesauce Zucchini Bread

4.6

Prep
10 min
Cook
60 min
Total
70 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 2 loaf pans.
  2. 2 Whisk flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together in a bowl. Set aside.
  3. 3 Combine sugar, oil, and eggs in a separate bowl; stir in zucchini, applesauce, and vanilla extract until well combined. Stir in flour mixture until incorporated; stir in pecans. Divide batter between the prepared pans.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool slightly before slicing.

By Maria

Pumpkin Bread with Raisins and Pecans
Bread & Baking American

Pumpkin Bread with Raisins and Pecans

5.0

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two loaf pans.
  2. 2 Sift flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Toss raisins and pecans with 1 tablespoon flour mixture in a separate bowl; set aside.
  3. 3 Beat sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add pumpkin purée, eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract; beat until well combined. Slowly add flour mixture; blend thoroughly. Fold in raisins and pecans.
  4. 4 Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until firm and tops spring back when lightly pressed, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks before serving.

By Nelena Brown

Easy Avocado Bread
Bread & Baking American

Easy Avocado Bread

4.7

Prep
20 min
Cook
60 min
Total
80 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
  2. 2 Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and allspice together in a large bowl; set aside.
  3. 3 Beat sugar and butter together in a separate bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in mashed avocado.
  4. 4 Stir in flour mixture alternately with buttermilk until just mixed. Fold in chopped pecans, raisins, and orange zest.
  5. 5 Divide batter evenly between the two loaf pans.
  6. 6 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Allow loaves to cool in pan for at least 20 minutes before removing.

By Michelle

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls
Bread & Baking American

Vegan Cinnamon Rolls

3.7

Prep
30 min
Cook
35 min
Total
105 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch glass baking pan.
  2. 2 Heat almond milk over medium heat until frothy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Cool until milk is lukewarm.
  3. 3 Stir 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons warm water and ground flax together in a measuring cup.
  4. 4 Combine 2 1/4 cups flour, white sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and water mixture; mix well. Stir in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until dough comes together.
  5. 5 Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and springy, 5 to 7 minutes. Return dough to the bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Place on top of the oven and let rest for 10 to 20 minutes.
  6. 6 Mix brown sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom together in a bowl. Stir in 3 tablespoons vegetable oil.
  7. 7 Return dough to the floured surface and roll into a large rectangle. Spread the brown sugar mixture onto the dough. Sprinkle pecans on top. Roll the dough along the longer side of the rectangle. Use a length of thread to cut the dough into 1 1/2-inch segments. Place into the prepared baking pan swirl-side up.
  8. 8 Cover baking pan with a damp cloth and place on top of the oven. Let rise for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove cloth.
  9. 9 Bake until rolls are golden brown, about 30 minutes.

By Lorin Renee

Sweet Butternut Squash Muffins
Bread & Baking American

Sweet Butternut Squash Muffins

2.5

Prep
15 min
Cook
60 min
Total
75 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Prepare 12 muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper liners and prepare the liners with cooking spray.
  2. 2 Put squash into a roasting pan with cut sides down. Pour enough water into pan to fill 1/2-inch deep.
  3. 3 Roast squash in preheated oven until flesh is easily pierced through with a fork, about 45 minutes. Remove roasting pan and reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  4. 4 Scoop hot squash into a large bowl and mash until no large chunks remain. Stir sugar and butter into the squash.
  5. 5 Whisk flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt together in a bowl.
  6. 6 Beat eggs, milk, sour cream, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Stirring constantly, add a spoonful of squash mixture into the egg mixture to temper it before adding egg mixture to the squash mixture; stir.
  7. 7 Fold flour mixture into the squash mixture until just incorporated; spoon into muffin tins. Top each with a pecan half.
  8. 8 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes.

By KP

Vegan Pumpkin Muffins
Bread & Baking American

Vegan Pumpkin Muffins

Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Total
45 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a jumbo 6-cup muffin tin and 1/2 of a standard muffin tin with cooking spray.
  2. 2 Mix almond milk and vinegar together. Set aside until milk appears curdled, about 5 minutes.
  3. 3 Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt together in a large bowl.
  4. 4 Whisk almond milk mixture, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, applesauce, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl. Fold in flour mixture using a rubber spatula until batter is just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. 5 Fill each jumbo muffin cup with 1/2 cup batter. Fill each standard muffin cup with 1/4 cup batter.
  6. 6 Mix oats, flour, cinnamon, and salt together to make streusel topping. Rub in coconut oil until large clumps form. Fold in pecans. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the streusel over the jumbo muffins. Top standard-sized muffins with 1 tablespoon streusel.
  7. 7 Bake muffins in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bake standard-sized muffins for 5 to 8 minutes more. Bake jumbo muffins for 10 to 15 minutes more.
  8. 8 Let cool for a few minutes before removing from the tins.

By thedailygourmet

Swedish Nuts
Appetizer European

Swedish Nuts

4.7

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. 2 Beat egg whites until soft peaks begin to form. Add sugar, salt, and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form and turn glossy. Fold in nuts and coat well with the egg white mixture.
  3. 3 Melt butter in a 9x13 inch baking pan by placing pan in the oven. Evenly spread coated nuts over melted butter in pan.
  4. 4 Bake for 30 minutes, stirring and turning nuts about every 8 minutes, or until butter no longer remains in pan. Place hot nuts on foil and allow to cool. May be stored in an airtight container for several weeks!

By Joanie Critchlow

Swedish Pecan-Topped Dream Cookies
Dessert European

Swedish Pecan-Topped Dream Cookies

5.0

Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
125 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Sift cake flour, salt, and baking powder into a medium bowl.
  2. 2 Combine butter, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Shape dough into a 1-inch diameter log, wrap with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator until firm, 1 hour to overnight.
  3. 3 Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  4. 4 Remove dough from the refrigerator and slice into 24 slices. Place on the prepared cookie sheets and press a pecan firmly into each slice.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, about 40 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

By cakeeater567

Apricot Rugelach
Dessert European

Apricot Rugelach

4.4

Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
90 min

Instructions

  1. 1 To make the filling: Combine pecans, 1/2 cup sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl; set aside.
  2. 2 Soften butter and cream cheese in a large bowl. Add flour and sugar, blend well. Divide dough into four pieces.
  3. 3 Roll each into a ball and dust each with flour, shake off excess. With a rolling pin, roll each piece between sheets of waxed paper into a 10-inch circle. Stack circles and refrigerate at least one hour.
  4. 4 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease baking sheets.
  5. 5 Spread each circle of dough with light layer of apricot jam. Divide nut filling among circles, spread evenly. Cut each circle into 12 pie shaped wedges. Roll wedges from wide edge to point. Place on baking sheets point side down.
  6. 6 Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.

By Marge

Apple Lattice Fruit Bake
Dessert European

Apple Lattice Fruit Bake

4.5

Prep
25 min
Cook
40 min
Total
65 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. 2 Stir together brown sugar, water, and flour in a large bowl until smooth. Add the apples, pecans, and dried fruit; toss in the brown sugar mixture until well coated. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cut the puff pastry into ten 1-inch strips with a pizza cutter. Lay 5 of the strips over the apples lengthwise, and cut the remaining 5 strips in half. Place the 10 smaller strips over the apples widthwise to create the lattice. Stir together the white sugar and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the lattice.
  3. 3 Bake in preheated oven until the apple mixture is bubbling, and the lattice is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes.

By CookinginFL

Swedish Apple Pie
Dessert European

Swedish Apple Pie

4.7

Prep
15 min
Cook
65 min
Total
80 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan with margarine.
  2. 2 Fill 2/3 of the pan with sliced apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon and 1 teaspoon sugar.
  3. 3 In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup sugar with the melted margarine. Stir in pecans, flour, egg and salt. Mix well. Spread mixture over the apples.
  4. 4 Bake in preheated oven for 65 minutes, or until golden brown.

By S F ALLEN

Czechoslovakian Cookies
Dessert European

Czechoslovakian Cookies

4.5

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease one 8 inch square baking dish.
  2. 2 Cream the butter until soft and fluffy. Add the white sugar gradually, until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks.
  3. 3 Sift the cardamom, allspice and flour together. Gradually add it to the butter mixture and stir to combine well. Stir in the chopped pecans.
  4. 4 Spoon 1/2 of the dough into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Top with strawberry jam and cover with the remaining dough.
  5. 5 Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 1 hour or until lightly browned. Cool then cut into 1 1/2 inch sized squares.

By Linda K

Danish Oatmeal Cookies
Dessert European

Danish Oatmeal Cookies

4.6

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
50 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. 2 In a bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, mix the butter, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in the flour mixture; gently stir in the oatmeal and pecans and lightly mix until combined.
  3. 3 With a spoon, drop about 1 scant tablespoon of dough per cookie onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely before sprinkling cookies with confectioners' sugar.

By Donna Q

Sugared Danish Butter Cookies with Pecan Halves
Dessert European

Sugared Danish Butter Cookies with Pecan Halves

4.0

Prep
60 min
Cook
25 min
Total
1545 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Sift the flour and white sugar together in a mixing bowl, and stir in 1 egg and the vanilla extract until well combined. Using a pastry cutter, cut the cold butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  2. 2 Divide the dough in half, and roll into two 11-inch-long logs. Wrap one of the logs in waxed paper and then plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. Place 3 tablespoons of coarse sugar crystals on a flat plate. Brush the second log with beaten egg, and roll it in the sugar crystals, coating it thickly. Carefully wrap the sugared log in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. (See Cook's Note.)
  3. 3 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  4. 4 Cut the unsugared log of dough into round slices about 1/8-inch thick, and place the rounds onto the prepared baking sheets, about 1/2-inch apart. Top each round with a pecan half. Cut the sugared log of dough into 1/8-inch thick slices, and place them onto prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle each sugared cookie with more coarse sugar crystals, if desired.
  5. 5 Place one baking sheet of cookies at a time into the preheated oven, and bake until the edges barely turn golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the cookies to wire racks to cool.

By phoenix__rising

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake
Dinner European

Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake

4.8

Prep
25 min
Cook
25 min
Total
50 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. 2 Combine brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a bowl; mix with an electric mixer until sugar clumps are broken up. Add melted butter; mix until thoroughly blended. Stir in pecans by hand. Set filling aside.
  3. 3 Blend sifted flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Combine sugar, shortening, and egg in a second large bowl; mix with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined. Add milk and mix on low speed. Stir in dry ingredients.
  4. 4 Spread 1/4 of batter into each of the prepared cakes pan and spread 1/4 of streusel filling over each. Repeat once more, spreading layers evenly.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

By patriciafulda

Irish Cream Bundt Cake
Dessert European

Irish Cream Bundt Cake

4.8

Prep
15 min
Cook
70 min
Total
85 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chopped nuts evenly over the bottom of the pan.
  2. 2 Combine cake mix and pudding mix in a large bowl. Beat in eggs, Irish cream liqueur, oil, and water with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes. Pour batter over nuts in the prepared pan.
  3. 3 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
  4. 4 While cake is cooling, make glaze: Combine sugar, butter, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Irish cream.
  5. 5 Invert cake onto a serving dish. Prick the top and sides of cake with a toothpick. Spoon glaze over the top and brush onto the sides. Allow cake to absorb glaze, then repeat until glaze is used up.

By Sue Haser

English Cookie Bars
Dessert European

English Cookie Bars

3.3

Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Total
30 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
  2. 2 In a large bowl, mix together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and applesauce. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg; stir into the batter alternately with the cold coffee. Finally, mix in the raisins and pecans. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
  3. 3 Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Cool and cut into bars.

By Sara

Easy Overnight Pancake Casserole with Streusel Topping
Breakfast European

Easy Overnight Pancake Casserole with Streusel Topping

4.9

Prep
20 min
Cook
55 min
Total
555 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. 2 To prepare the casserole: Prick each pancake half several times with a fork. Place in the prepared baking dish in 2 to 3 long rows, overlapping in a shingled formation.
  3. 3 Whisk eggs, heavy cream, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together in a large bowl. Pour over pancakes. Cover and refrigerate the casserole for 8 hours, to overnight.
  4. 4 When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  5. 5 To make the streusel topping: Combine pecans, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Add butter and mix with a fork or your fingers until crumbly.
  6. 6 Remove pancakes from the refrigerator and uncover. Sprinkle streusel topping evenly over the top.
  7. 7 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and cooked throughout, about 55 minutes.

By Nicole McLaughlin

Swedish Tea Ring with Pecans
Breakfast European

Swedish Tea Ring with Pecans

4.4

Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Total
195 min

Instructions

  1. 1 In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in the warm water and let stand until creamy, about 15 minutes. Zest and juice the lemon; set juice aside for later use.
  2. 2 In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast mixture, milk, butter, salt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and 2 cups of the flour. Stir until smooth and well combined. Mix in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and satiny; about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume; about 1 hour.
  3. 3 Punch down the dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough out into a rectangle approximately 12x24 inches.
  4. 4 In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon, 1/4 cup sugar and pecans; spread this mixture evenly across the dough. Roll the dough into a long roll and press the seam closed. With the seam turned downward, seal the two ends together to make a ring. Use a little water to help you seal the ends.
  5. 5 Place the ring on a lightly greased cookie pan. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, make cuts every inch or so along the ring, cutting only three quarters of the way through. Twist each piece slightly so that the rolls fan out from the center of the ring. Cover the roll with greased plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  6. 6 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  7. 7 Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the ring from the oven, place on a rack to cool.
  8. 8 Place the lemon juice in a small bowl along with the vanilla. Add 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Continue adding powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture is fairly thick but still pourable. Drizzle the lemon-sugar topping over the ring.

By LOGINHAZEL

Austrian Peach Cookies II
Dessert European

Austrian Peach Cookies II

4.1

Prep
60 min
Cook
20 min
Total
80 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. 2 In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place balls 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
  3. 3 Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies start to brown on the bottom. remove from baking sheets and cool on wire racks.
  4. 4 When cookies are completely cool, carve a hole into the flat side of each cookie using a small knife. Save the crumbs. In a heatproof bowl, melt chocolate chips in a microwave or over a pan of simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth. In a medium bowl, stir together the melted chocolate, apricot jam, ground pecans, rum and reserved crumbs until well blended. Fill the carved out centers of the cookies with the chocolate mixture and stick two cookies together with the filling sides in to form a peach shape.
  5. 5 Divide the remaining cup of sugar into two bowls. One bowl should contain 1/4 cup and 3/4 cup in the other. Color the small bowl with the red coloring by working it in with your fingers. Color the other bowl with the yellow coloring and add a pinch of the red sugar to it to make a peachy color. Brush each cookie with water and roll them first in the yellow sugar, then dip a part of them into the red sugar to give them a blush. Insert plastic green stems into the top for a realistic effect.

By Barbara

The Queen's Christmas Pudding
Dessert European

The Queen's Christmas Pudding

4.9

Prep
50 min
Cook
250 min
Total
300 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Select a heat-proof bowl of any size or shape and generously grease with butter.
  2. 2 Combine dates, apricots, currants, raisins, cranberries, ginger, whiskey, orange zest, and orange juice in a mixing bowl. Toss thoroughly to combine.
  3. 3 Pour in melted butter and stir until everything is evenly coated. Mix in egg, heavy cream, and buttermilk. Add salt, pecans, bread crumbs, and flour and mix until batter is very thick and sticky.
  4. 4 Transfer dough to the prepared bowl and press it down to flatten with a spatula. Place a circle of parchment paper over the top and press down to seal. Stretch 2 pieces of plastic wrap over the bowl, then place the bowl on a third piece of plastic wrap. Bring the ends up and over the bowl and seal tightly. Cover the bowl with 2 pieces of foil, then tie a piece of string around and secure tightly.
  5. 5 Pudding can be cooked immediately if need be, but better if left to rest in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight.
  6. 6 Lay chopsticks in the bottom of a large Dutch oven. Place the wrapped pudding on the chopsticks and fill the Dutch oven halfway with water.
  7. 7 Place over high heat, cover, and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, reduce heat to medium and steam, covered, for 4 hours, checking every hour to see if you need to add more water.
  8. 8 Use kitchen towels and carefully lift the pudding out of the Dutch oven. Snip the string, take off the foil, remove the plastic wrap, and peel off the parchment. Place a plate over the bowl and invert the pudding to unmold.
  9. 9 Brush maple syrup over top. Cut and serve immediately.

By John Mitzewich

Best Christmas Fruitcake
Dessert European

Best Christmas Fruitcake

4.8

Prep
35 min
Cook
40 min
Total
1525 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Gather all ingredients.
  2. 2 Soak the fruit: Place cranberries, currants, cherries, mango, and citron into a medium bowl and stir to combine. Pour in rum and mix again. Cover tightly, and store at room temperature for at least 24 hours.
  3. 3 When ready to make the fruitcake, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Cut a 6-inch circle of parchment paper. Spray a 6x3-inch round pan with cooking spray. Place the parchment circle in the bottom of the pan, and spray it with cooking spray.
  4. 4 Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg until incorporated.
  5. 5 Whisk flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda together in a large bowl; set aside. Stir molasses and milk together in a separate bowl until well combined. Add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 batches, alternating with molasses and milk mixture, beating batter briefly after each addition.
  6. 6 Stir in soaked fruit and pecans. Scrape batter into the prepared pan and smooth out the top.
  7. 7 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.
  8. 8 While the fruitcake is baking, cut one piece parchment paper and one piece cheesecloth, each large enough to wrap around the cake.
  9. 9 Remove fruitcake from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then drizzle 2 tablespoons rum over top.
  10. 10 Moisten the cheesecloth with 1 tablespoon rum. Place it on top of the parchment paper, and unmold fruitcake onto it. Brush the top and sides of fruitcake with remaining 3 tablespoons rum.
  11. 11 Wrap the cheesecloth closely to the surface of the cake, then wrap with the parchment paper.
  12. 12 Transfer the wrapped fruitcake to airtight container or tin. Seal the container and let age at room temperature for at least 10 weeks (if possible) before serving.
  13. 13 Enjoy!

By Karen Uffelman

Aunt Betty's Hungarian Nut Roll
Breakfast European

Aunt Betty's Hungarian Nut Roll

Prep
30 min
Cook
45 min
Total
135 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Dissolve yeast in warm water in a bowl according to package instructions. Let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 5 minutes.
  2. 2 While yeast softens, combine sugar, 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons shortening, butter, egg yolks, egg, vanilla-butternut flavoring, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl. Beat using an electric mixer until creamy and thoroughly combined.
  3. 3 Combine flour, milk, and yeast mixture in a separate bowl; mix into egg mixture until well combined and a dough forms. Set aside to rise in a warm area until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  4. 4 Knead risen dough down gently; cut into 4 equal pieces. Set the pieces aside and let rise for an additional 20 minutes.
  5. 5 While rolls rise, beat egg whites using an electric mixer in a mixing bowl until stiff. Add pecans, sugar, honey, and vanilla extract; beat to combine.
  6. 6 Roll out each piece of dough using a lightly floured rolling pin on a lightly floured work surface, to approximately 13x18-inch rectangles, 1/4-inch thick.
  7. 7 Spread pecan mixture approximately 1/4-inch thick onto the dough. Roll up dough, beginning from the side. Place rolls 2 1/2-inches apart on a rimmed baking sheet.
  8. 8 Bake in the preheated oven until golden, about 45 minutes.

By john zelahy

Buttery Crunch Crust

Buttery Crunch Crust

4.6

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. 2 In a medium bowl, mix together pecans, sugar, and flour. Stir in melted butter or margarine. Reserve 1/2 of the mixture for topping the pie, then press the rest evenly into a 9 inch pie pan.
  3. 3 Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Allow crust to cool before filling.

By Sara