Archive for December, 2010
December 27th, 2010
I made these for my boyfriend’s parents, who are strict Russians. They loved them. Perfect for afternoon tea (or anytime really!).
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
- 3/4 cups of chopped walnuts
Instructions
- To mixing bowl, add butter, vanila extract, and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Mix well until creamy.
- In another bowl, combine salt and flour. Gradually add this to the butter mixture. Fold in walnuts.
- Roll these into about 1-2 inch balls, and place on an ungreased baking sheet, in a preheated 350 degree oven, for approximately 10 minutes. They should be firm, but not golden brown.
- Cool for a few minutes, then with the remaining cup of powdered sugar, roll the balls to coat. Serve.
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December 27th, 2010
These is one of my favourite “healthy” desserts because of all the apples required. Plus, they taste just like apple crumble but are square-sized portions. Delicious served warm.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup cold butter, cut into cubes
- 6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples, about 6
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 9×13 baking pan.
- In large bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt until well mixed. Using your fingers, mix butter into mixture until crumbs form. Firmly pack half of mixture into bottom of pan.
- In separate bowl, toss apples with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Scatter evenly over base. Sprinkle with remaining crumble mixture, press lightly.
- Bake for 45-50 min until apples are tender and topping is golden. Cool slightly then cut into squares.
Makes about 40 squares.
Tags: apple, cinnamon, crumble, dessert, squares
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December 27th, 2010
This is a delicious almond-flavoured pastry with the crunchiness of peanuts on top. I make this dessert with my Mom every Christmas, and is always a hit with the guests. These tend to disappear quickly.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter/margarine, softened
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup butter/margarine
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 cup flour
- 3 eggs
Confectioner’s sugar glaze:
- 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
- 2 tbsp butter/margarine, softened
- 1 to 1 1/2 tsp almond/vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tbsp water water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut 1/2 cup butter into 1 cup flour. Sprinkle 2 tbsp water over mixture; mix with fork. Round into ball; divide in half. On ungreased baking sheet, pat each half into a strip, 12×3 inches. Strips should be 3 inches apart.
- In medium saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to rolling boil. Remove from heat and quickly stire in almond extract and 1 cup flour. Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture forms into ball, about 1 min. Remove from heat. Beat in eggs, all at one time, until smooth. Divide in half; spread each half evenly over strips, covering completely.
- Bake 60 min. or unil topping is crisp and brown. Meanwhile, prepare confectioner’s sugar glaze by mixing sugar, butter, almond extract, and warm water until smooth.
- Cool. Frost with confectioner’s sugar glaze and sprinkle generously with chopped nuts.
Makes 10-12 servings.
Tags: almond, peanuts, puff pastry
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December 27th, 2010
Another Christmas favourite of mine. The walnuts and coconut make this layered bar a sweet and chewy snack.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup shortening (half butter/margarine)
- 3/4 cup icing/confectioner’s sugar
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup flaked coconut
Orange-lemon icing:
- 1 1/2 cups icing/confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tbsp butter/margarine, melted
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350 degrees.
- Cream shortening and icing sugar. Blend in 1 1/2 cups flour. Press mixture in bottom of ungreased baking pan (13×9 in) Bake 12-15 min.
- Mix remaining ingredients; spread over hot baked layer. Bake 20 min longer. Meanwhile, prepare icing by mixing sugar, butter, orange juice and lemon juice until smooth.
- While warm, spread with Orange-lemon icing. Cool; cut into bars, about 3×1 in.
Makes 32 bars.
Tags: bar, chewy, coconut, walnuts
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