Butter Letter Recipes

LETTER-STAMPED BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide dough into thirds. Shape each into a ball, then flatten into a disk. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with floured 2-1/2-in. shaped cutters. , Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Press stamp into cookie. Repeat with remaining portions of dough. Bake until set, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate as desired.

AWARD-WINNING BUTTER TARTS

Steps:

• Prepare muffin pans by rolling out pie dough and cutting 4-inch (approx) circles; fit dough circles into muffin cups; set aside in fridge until ready to fill.
• In a small bowl, place raisins and cover with hot tap water; let stand on the counter for 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, mix together the soft butter, brown sugar, salt and corn syrup; stir well until sugar is dissolved and butter is creamed.
• Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
• Drain raisins.
• Retrieve tart shells and divide raisins equally into all shells; then divide butter mixture into all tarts.
• Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes; filling will be lightly browned but still bubbling.
• Canadians fall into two camps about butter tarts and are quite loyal to their favourite type: runny or firm.
• I like runny-- the type that dribbles when you bite into one; if you like firm, bake them for the full 20 minutes, even adding another minute or two if you wish.
• Let cooked butter tarts cool in pans for 10 minutes after removing from oven; then remove and place on racks until completely cool.

BUTTER TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (170 degrees C).
• Cream the butter, sugar and eggs well. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.
• Pour batter into tart shells, no more than half full. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes. Watch carefully!!--they'll burn quickly. Filling will keep in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or so. Liquid coffee creamer can be used for cream. Use any good pie pastry for shells.

DUTCH LETTERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the almond paste, sugar, egg and extract until smooth. Divide into 4 portions. On lightly floured waxed paper, roll each portion into a 12x1/2-in. rope; set aside., In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide into 4 portions. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a 14x6-in. rectangle. Place 1 almond paste rope in the center of each rectangle. Moisten long edges of dough; fold over filling. Press seam to seal; tuck in ends., Transfer seam side down to greased baking sheets; form each into an "S" shape. Whisk egg white and water; brush over dough. Using a fork, prick tops at 1-in. intervals to vent., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. To serve, cut into 2-in. pieces.

ALMOND BUTTER LETTERS

Steps:

• mix 1st 3 ingredients by hand and form into 12 balls mix butter and flour into mixed well, then add water. Form into 12 balls set on cookie sheet and cover with wax paper. Set in a cool area over night. Roll each of 12 balls into 12"x3" strip and add one of the almond paste balls down the middle and fold and cover and seal with water. Brush with beaten egg and bake at 425 for 30 mins

HONEY BUTTER GRILLED CORN

Steps:

• Combine the honey, butter, chile flakes, 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon of salt in a deep disposable 9-by-13-inch aluminum tray.
• Adjust the burners on a gas grill or arrange the hot coals on a charcoal grill to build a fire that is hot on one side and medium-low on the other side. Place the aluminum tray on the cooler side. Cover and let heat for a few minutes, swirling the butter occasionally until it is all melted and the liquid simmers gently.
• Add the corn to the hot side of the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the kernels are lightly blackened in spots all over, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer the corn to the aluminum tray and turn to coat in the liquid. Keep turning as the liquid reduces to a shiny glaze, 10 to 12 minutes. (You can also cook other foods over the hot side while the corn stays hot in the tray. Once glazed, you can continue to hold the corn in the pan for up to another 30 to 45 minutes, turning it occasionally and topping up with ¼ cup water as necessary to prevent the honey and butter from burning.)
• When ready to serve, coat a final time, sprinkle the corn with the minced parsley or chives and transfer to a serving platter.