Raisin Pockets Recipes

PANCAKE POCKETS

Steps:

• Mix together the cake flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Mix together the milk, vanilla and egg in a separate bowl. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently to combine. Melt the butter and add it to the batter, stirring gently to combine. Stir in more milk if needed for thinning.
• Heat a griddle over medium-low heat. Once hot, grease the griddle with butter. Drop 2 circles of batter onto the griddle, about 2 tablespoons each, and cook until bubbles start to form, about 30 seconds.
• Add 1 tablespoon of strawberries and 1 tablespoon of chopped pecans to each pancake and cook for about 20 seconds. Drizzle a teaspoon of cold pancake syrup over the strawberries and pecans, then top with 2 tablespoons of batter. Flip the pancakes and cook on the other side until golden and crispy, about 2 minutes. Continue to cook the remaining pancakes.
• Serve immediately, or individually wrap in foil for a perfect meal on the go!

RAISIN FILLING FOR HEART POCKETS

Steps:

• Combine the raisins, water, sugar, flour, lemon zest, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid is absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor. Process until smooth. Refrigerate filling until cool and thickened slightly, about 1 hour.

RAISIN-FILLED COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream sugars and butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate until easy to handle. , For filling, in a saucepan, combine the cornstarch, flour and brown sugar. Stir in water until smooth. Add raisins. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir and cook for 3 minutes or until thickened. Cool. , On a floured surface, roll out dough into 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-in.-round cookie cutters. Spoon 2 teaspoons filling on top of half the circles and top each with another circle. Pinch edges together and cut slit in top. , Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

RAISIN HEART POCKETS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the granulated sugar and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, yogurt, vanilla, and lemon zest, and beat to incorporate. Reduce speed to low, and gradually add flour mixture, beating until combined.
• Divide dough into quarters. Place each quarter between 2 sheets of parchment paper. Roll out dough 1/8-inch-thick. Stack packages of dough on a baking sheet and refrigerate until chilled about 1 hour (or freeze for 30 minutes).
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpats.
• Remove one package of dough from refrigerator. Remove top piece of parchment, and then gently pat back into place. Flip entire package over, and peel off and discard second piece of parchment. Using a 3 1/2-inch heart cutter, cut out 15 cookies and place half of them on a prepared baking sheet, leaving 1 inch between cookies.
• Place a generous tablespoon of filling in the center of the hearts on the baking sheet. Spread filling leaving a 1/4-inch border. Top with remaining hearts. Use the tines of a fork, to decoratively press the pocket edges together. Re-roll and chill any remaining dough scraps. Repeat process until all the dough and filling is used. If at any time dough becomes too soft to work with, return to refrigerator until chilled.
• Bake until golden around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Rotate pans once after 7 minutes to ensure even baking. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

PICADILLO POCKETS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, garlic and cinnamon and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the beef, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste, chopped tomato, raisins and olives and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture cool completely.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and brush a baking sheet lightly with vegetable oil. On a floured surface, roll out the dough and fill the dinner pockets. Step-by-step directions.
• Place the pockets seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Beat the egg and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; brush the pockets with the egg wash. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

HIDDEN TREASURES RANCH POCKETS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the yeast over warm water in a large bowl bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam. Beat in the sugar, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and whole wheat flour with an electric mixer on low for 3 minutes. Stir in the bread flour, a 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, then place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a light cloth and let rise in a warm place (80 to 95 degrees F (27 to 35 degrees C)) until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
• While the dough is rising, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook and stir until the pork is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in the ranch dressing mix until meat is well-coated. Add the cabbage, zucchini, onion, red bell pepper, carrot, and garlic. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Use a knife to divide the dough into four equal pieces-don't tear it. Roll each portion out to an 8-inch square, then cut each large square into four smaller squares. Place about 3 tablespoonfuls of the pork filling into the center of each square. Bring the corners over the filling and pinch to seal. Secure with a toothpick, if needed. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the pouches on the prepared baking sheet about 3-inches apart. Cover the pouches with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from pan and discard toothpicks. Brush each pocket with melted butter. Serve hot.

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS RAISIN DELIGHTS

Steps:

• To Make The Dough: Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together; set aside.
• Cream the butter with 3/4 cup of the brown sugar and the white sugar. Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla. Mix at high speed for 2 minutes, then reduce speed and gradually blend in the flour mixture. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 3 hours.
• To Make Raisin Filling: Grind the raisins. In a medium saucepan combine the ground raisins, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup water, salt and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 3 minutes.
• Combine the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the water and mix until smooth. Add to the raisin mixture and continue to simmer until thick. Remove from heat and let cool. Once cool, stir in the chopped nuts.
• Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
• On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 3/4 inch rounds. Place rounds on the prepared baking sheet. Place a heaping teaspoon of the raisin filling on the cookie round and top with another round. Crimp the edges closed.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 8 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on sheet until just barely warm.

FRUIT-FILLED HAMANTASCHEN FROM PHILADELPHIA

Steps:

• 1. To make the filling, simmer the prunes and raisins together in the water, covered, for 15 minutes or until the prunes are softened but still firm.
• 2. Add the nuts, then put the mixture through a grinder or chop in a food processor with the apple. Add the lemon juice and rind and sugar and mix well.
• 3. To make the dough, cream the margarine or butter with the sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and continue creaming until smooth. A food processor is great for this.
• 4. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Process until a ball of dough is formed.
• 5. Chill for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight.
• 6. Taking one fourth of the dough, roll out on a lightly floured board to a thickness of 1/8 inch. Cut into 2 1/2-inch circles. With your finger, brush water around the rim of the circle. Drop 1 teaspoon of filling in the center. Then bring the dough around the filling and press 3 ends together.
• 7. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven on a well-greased cookie sheet for 10 to 15 minutes or until the tips are golden.

RAISIN FILLED COOKIES

Steps:

• Raisin filling:
• Put raisins in a pan and cover with water. Boil for 5 minutes.
• Mix together sugar, butter, vanilla, salt, nutmeg, flour, and 1/4 cup water. Add to the raisin mixture and turn the heat down to low setting. Stir and cook until it thickens - about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Set aside to cool while you make the cookie dough.
• Cookie Dough:
• Combine softened butter, shortening, vanilla, and sugar. Add in egg.
• Stir flour, salt, and baking powder together in another bowl. Add dry mixture to the butter mixture and add milk. Stir in well.
• Chill dough for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Roll dough about 1/8 inch thick.
• Cut into circles with a 3 inch round cookie cutter. You could also use the top of a glass that is 3 inches in diameter.
• Place cookie dough circle on an ungreased cookie sheet. Place a tablespoon of raisin filling in the center of the cookie. Top with a second cookie and seal the edges with a fork.
• Bake at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes or until very lightly browned.
• Glaze:
• When cookies are cooled mix together the melted butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
• Frost the tops of each cookie.

RAISIN POCKETS

Steps:

• In a medium heavy saucepan, stir together the raisins, brown sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon and 1/2 cup water.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-8 minutes, or until the raisins are rehydrated and most of the liquid is absorbed. If the mixture looks dry during cooking, stir in 1-2 tbls more water.
• Transfer the mixture to a good processor.
• Process till the raisins are coarsely ground.
• Cover and refrigerate the filling until cool and thickened slightly, at least 1 hour. The filling may be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
• Let come to room temperature and stir before using.
• DOUGH.
• In a medium mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking powder,baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
• In a large bowl with electic mixer on medium speed, beat together the sugar and vanilla till well blended and lightened. Add the egg, buttermilk, vanilla and lemon zest and beat till well blended and smooth. Stir in remaining flour mixture until evenly incorporated.
• Divide dough into thirds.
• Place each portion between large sheets of wax paper.
• Roll out each portion a generous 1/8" thick, check the underside of the dough and smooth out any wrinkles that form. Stack the rolled portions (paper still attached) on a baking sheet.
• Refrigerate for an hour or chilled and firm or freeze for 30 minutes to speed chilling. The dough may be held for 24 hours. If frozen, let it warm up slightly before using.
• Preheat oven to 375*.
• Grease several baking sheets or use nonstick spray.
• Working with one portion of dough at a time, leaving remaining dough to chill -- gently peel away the paper then pat back into place one sheet of wax paper. Flip the dough over, then peel off and discard the second sheet of wax paper.
• Using a 2 1/2"-2 3/4" round cookie cutter, cut out enough cookies to fill one baking sheet. If at any time dough softens too much to handle, transfer dough to be chilled.
• Place on baking sheet, about 2" apart. Place a heaping tspful of filling in the center of each round, spreading it out slightly.
• Cut out enough cookies to top ones on baking sheet. and immediately place them on the filled rounds. As the cookie tops soften enought to be pliable, using the tines of a fork, decoratively press pocket edges together, dip tines in flour occasionally to prevent sticking. Reroll any dough scraps and continue cutting and filling until dough is used.
• Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time in upper third of oven for 6-9 minutes or until lightly browned all over and slightly darker at the edges. Reverse sheet from front to back, halfway through baking to ensure even browning Transfer the sheet to wire rack and let stand until cookies firm up slightly--1-2 minutes.
• Using a spatula, transfer cookies to wire rack --.
• Let stand until completely cooled. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week -- or freeze up to one month.