Goldeneggnogholidaybraidrecipe

HOLIDAY EGGNOG

Steps:

• For the mulled cider: Combine the peppercorns, star anise, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom in a large stockpot over medium heat. Toast the spices until aromatic, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour in the cider, carrot juice, ginger juice, sugar, orange zest, nutmeg and kosher salt. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture sit uncovered until the cider is aromatic and the spices are well infused, 1 to 2 hours. Strain the cider through a fine sieve or cheesecloth; discard the solids. (The cider can be made in advance and reheated prior to serving.)
• For the eggnog batter: Separate the whites and yolks of the eggs into 2 medium size mixing bowls. Whip the yolks with the nutmeg, cinnamon, rum and salt. Gradually add 1/4 cup of the sugar. Mix until the texture is silky and the sugar is fully incorporated. Set aside.
• Whip the egg whites on medium-high speed, gradually incorporating the remaining 1/8 cup of sugar. Whip until stiff peaks form.
• Gently fold the egg white mixture into the yolk mixture. This batter has a lifespan of about one evening. Be sure to use fresh eggs as these will be served in a raw state.
• To assemble the holiday eggnog: For each drink, mix together 4 ounces of the hot mulled cider, 2 ounces of the eggnog batter, 1 ounce of the rum and 1/2 ounce of the brandy in a heat-treated glass or mug. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

GOLDEN EGG LOAVES (OR BRAIDS)

Steps:

• Combine water, honey, and yeast in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Let sit until mixture becomes foamy, about 10 minutes.
• Pour 3 cups flour, olive oil, eggs, wheat gluten, and butter into the yeast mixture; mix on speed 2 (or low speed) in the stand mixer until flour mixture is incorporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt and 3 cups flour and mix on speed 2 until flour is incorporated into the dough. If dough is pulling away from the sides of the bowl, continue mixing, 5 to 7 minutes. If dough is still sticky, add 1/4 cup flour at a time and knead for 2 minutes after each addition until dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl; mix for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Grease a large bowl.
• Transfer dough to greased bowl and cover with a damp towel. Set aside in a warm area of the kitchen until dough has doubled in size, 60 to 90 minutes.
• Punch down dough and divide into 2 loaves. Place each dough half into a 9x5-inch loaf pan or on a baking sheet. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers an internal temperature of 200 degrees F (93 degrees C), 25 to 30 minutes.

HOLIDAY EGGNOG

Steps:

• Beat pudding mix and 2 cups milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Add remaining milk, evaporated milk and extract; mix well.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

GOLDEN EGGNOG CAKE

Steps:

• Filling:.
• Mix the dried cherries with the liquor or vanilla, add the remaining ingredients, stir well and set aside.
• Stir occasionally so the cherries absorb the liquid evenly.
• Cake:.
• Preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Lightly grease a 10-inch tube or bundt-style pan.
• In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, nutmeg and salt until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until the batter looks fluffy. Beat in the rum or brandy, if you're using it.
• Whisk the flour and baking powder together. Beat in one-third of the flour mixture, then one-third of the eggnog or cream.
• Repeat, being sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl occasionally.
• Add the remaining flour and eggnog or cream, beating well.
• Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the nut and cherry mixture. Top with the remaining batter.
• Smooth the top gently.
• Lift the cake pan several inches above the counter and drop it to the counter; repeat. This will eliminate any large air pockets or bubbles.
• Bake the cake for 1 hour, 15 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Remove the cake from the oven and place on a rack.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then loosen the edges with a knife and return to the rack to cool completely.
• Glaze:.
• Mix all of the glaze ingredients together, adding a bit of water if needed.
• Drizzle over the cooled cake.
• Yield: 1 cake.

HOLIDAY BRAID

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in milk. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, lemon zest and cardamom. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add yeast mixture and whole egg; mix well. Stir in cherries, raisins and pecans. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour (dough will not double in size)., Punch dough down; divide into four pieces. Roll three pieces into 15-in. ropes. Braid ropes; place on a greased baking sheet. Divide last portion of dough in half; roll each into a 15-in. rope. Twist ropes. Press an indentation down the center of braided loaf; place twisted dough in indentation. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. , Beat egg yolk and water; brush over loaf. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Cover loosely with foil; bake 20-25 minutes more. Cool on a wire rack. Combine sugar and milk; drizzle over loaf. Decorate with cherries if desired.

HOLIDAY EGGNOG BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. In a small bowl, combine the eggnog, eggs and oil; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Fold in apricots and pecans. Pour into two greased 8x4-in. or four greased 5-3/4x3x2-in. loaf pans. , Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Combine icing ingredients until smooth; spread over bread.

HOLIDAY EGGNOG COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Combine the eggnog, cognac, bourbon (or rum), and the vanilla extract in a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Shake briskly with the ice for 30 seconds; strain into an Old-Fashioned serving glass.
• Dust with nutmeg.