Spice Twists Recipes

SPICED BACON TWISTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set a wire rack over the foil. Use a baking sheet that has sides to catch the grease.
• In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, mustard powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper. Press each slice of bacon into the mixture until coated. Twist each strip a few times and place on the prepared baking rack.
• Bake until bacon is browned and crisp enough to hold its shape, about 30 minutes.

PEAR-ADISE SPICE TWISTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter and shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Divide in half; wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until easy to handle., Peel pears and cut each into eight wedges. Roll out each portion of dough into a 10x8-in. rectangle. Cut each into eight 1-in.-wide strips. Wrap each strip around a pear wedge., Place wrapped pears in an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish. Combine brown sugar and spices; sprinkle over the top. In a small saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil; pour mixture over pear twists. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream if desired.

PASTRY TWISTS WITH SPICED SUGAR-HONEY GLAZE

Steps:

• For pastries:
• Whisk flour, salt, and yeast in medium bowl to blend well. Add lard and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse meal. Make well in center of mixture and pour wine into well. Stir with fork until shaggy dough forms. Gather dough together and turn out onto lightly floured work surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic, adding warm water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry, about 10 minutes.
• Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Using fluted pastry wheel, cut dough into 1 1/4-inch-wide by 4-inch-long strips. Gently twist each strip in center, forming bow. Place pastry twists on prepared baking sheet. Reroll dough scraps to 1/8-inch thickness and cut out additional strips. Twist strips and place on prepared baking sheet.
• Pour enough olive oil into large saucepan to reach depth of 1 1/2 inches. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pan with bulb submerged in oil; heat oil to 360°F. Working in batches, fry dough twists in oil until golden on all sides, turning occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer fried pastries to paper towels to drain. Cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.
• For spiced sugar-honey glaze:
• Line another large baking sheet with parchment paper. Bring honey to simmer in medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Cool until just warm. Whisk powdered sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl to blend.
• Working with 1 fried pastry at a time, dip pastry into warm honey. Lift pastry and shake gently, allowing excess honey to drip back into pan. Roll pastry in powdered sugar mixture to coat. Place on prepared baking sheet. Arrange pastries on platter.
• Ingredient tip:
• For the best results, dip the pastry twists in a mild-flavored honey, such as orange blossom. An assertively flavored honey will overwhelm the pastry and the spiced powdered sugar.
• What to drink:
• Finish the meal with a glass of Moscato, a sweet white wine. Donatella recommends the 2007 Rivera "Piani di Tufara" Moscato di Trani, Dolce (Italy, $15). The wine's spicy raisin notes are complemented by bitter almond flavors and an apricot finish. If that bottle is unavailable, try the 2008 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato D'Asti (Italy, $16), a sparkling Moscato with stone-fruit flavors.

SPICED BACON TWISTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first five ingredients; rub over bacon on both sides. Twist bacon; place on a rack in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan., Bake 25-30 minutes or until firm; bake longer if desired.

PUMPKIN SPICE TWISTS

Steps:

• For the dough: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the flour, spice and salt together to combine. Add the cubed butter and pulse until the butter is about the size of peas. Add the ice water and pulse gently until the dough comes together. If the dough seems dry, add more ice water 1 tablespoon at a time until it does come together.
• Immediately turn the dough out and form it into a 1-inch-thick disk. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick and fold it into quarters. Immediately roll out the dough again to 1/2 inch thick and fold it into quarters again. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• For the filling: In a small bowl, stir the brown sugar, flour, pumpkin pie spice and melted butter together until combined.
• When the dough is chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a 14-by-10-inch rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough in half crosswise to form two 7-by-10-inch rectangles. Spread the filling onto one rectangle in an even layer and gently top with the second rectangle.
• Cut the layered dough lengthwise into 18 equal strips. Holding a strip at either end, gently twist and then lay it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining strips, leaving about 1/2 inch between each. Bake until the twists are deeply golden brown, 25 to 27 minutes. Let cool.
• If desired, make the icing: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, cream and vanilla together in a small bowl to form a glaze that's thick but still drizzles. Add more cream as needed to achieve the right consistency, then drizzle the icing over the cooled twists. Let sit for 10 minutes to firm the glaze before serving.

SPICE TWISTS

Steps:

• 1. Stir together flour, the 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, salt and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Using pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.2. In large mixing bowl, combine KELLOGG'S ALL-BRAN cereal and milk. Let stand about 2 minutes or until cereal softens. Add egg yolk. Beat well. Add flour mixture, stirring only until combined. Turn dough out on lightly floured board and knead gently about 5 times. Roll out into 14 x 7-inch rectangle. Beat egg white with water and brush over dough. Combine 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 cup sugar. Sprinkle half of mixture over dough.3. Cut dough into 14 strips, 1 inch wide and 7 inches long. Fold strips in half lengthwise and twist. Brush again with egg white and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon and sugar. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray.4. Bake at 425°F about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly and serve warm.