Christmas Pecan Swirls Recipes

PECAN SWIRLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Divide into three portions. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle., On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 16x9-in. rectangle. Combine pecans and sugar; sprinkle over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up each rectangle tightly, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate for 2 hours., Unwrap and cut into 3/8-in. slices. Place 2-in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

CINNAMON-PECAN SWIRL BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, 2 cups bread flour, flax, gluten, yeast and salt. In a small saucepan, heat the water, oil, honey and lemon juice to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining bread flour to form a stiff dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled., Meanwhile, combine filling ingredients; set aside., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 14x8-in rectangle. Sprinkle half of the filling over each rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Pinch to seal. Place each loaf seam-side down in a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour., Bake at 350° for 34-38 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

PECAN SWIRLS

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Divide into 3 portions. Wrap each in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 16 x 9 inch rectangle. Combine pecans and sugar; sprinkle over to to within 1/2 inch of edges. Roll up each rectangle tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate for 2 hours. Unwrap and cut into 3/8 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 for 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

HOLIDAY SWIRL SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In large bowl, beat softened butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla with spoon until well mixed. Stir in flour until blended. Knead 5 to 10 times or until dough is smooth.
• Divide dough into 3 pieces. Place 2 pieces of dough into 2 small bowls. To one bowl, add green food color; stir or knead to mix color thoroughly into dough. Repeat with red food color and second piece of dough.
• Cut each of the 3 doughs in half. Take one half of each of the doughs, and press together into a ball. Gently knead to mix colors (don't overwork dough or it will lose marbling). Shape into a roll, 6 inches long by 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Spread 1 tablespoon sparkling sugar on plastic wrap; roll log to cover. Wrap dough log tightly with plastic wrap. Repeat forming, shaping and rolling with remaining dough pieces. Refrigerate about 1 hour 30 minutes or until firm.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Unwrap 1 of the dough logs; cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet, reshaping if necessary.
• Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are set. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Unwrap remaining dough log, and repeat slicing and baking. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Store covered in airtight container.