Monthly Archives: December 2011

Fun, Chewy, Soft Pretzels


  • 12 Servings
  • Prep: 1 hour + rising Bake: 15 min

Ingredients

  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 to 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 8 cups water
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • Kosher salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds or grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough.
  • Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Punch dough down; divide into 12 portions. Roll each into an 18-in. rope; twist into a pretzel shape.
  • In a large saucepan, bring water and baking soda to a boil. Place pretzels into boiling water, one at a time, for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.
  • Place on greased baking sheets. Brush with egg; sprinkle with desired topping.
  • Bake at 425° for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Yield: 1 dozen.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies


2/3 c butter, softened
2/3 c brown sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 c old fashioned oats
1-1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1, 6 oz package of Craisins Dried Cranberries
2/3 c white chocolate chunks, I used the white chocolate chips and added a handful of dark chocolate chips too (I’m flexible like that :) )

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together in medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, mixing well.  Combine the oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.  Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each.  Stir in the cranberries and the chocolate pieces.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool on wire rack.

Makes approximately 2-3 dozen cookies.

Hamantaschen


Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 cup fruit preserves, any flavor (we liked peach best)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until lightly and fluffy. Stir in the oil, vanilla and orange juice. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter to form a stiff dough. If dough is not stiff enough to roll out, stir in more flour. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into circles using a cookie cutter or the rim or a drinking glass. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. Spoon about 2 teaspoons of preserves into the center of each one. Pinch the edges to form three corners.  *Brush with beaten egg wash if desired.*
  3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely.