Month: December 2010

Cinnamon Twist Cookies

I have been baking quite a bit for the holidays this year, and the other day decided to make some cookies that I hadn’t made in a LONG while – Cinnamon Twists! They’re a little more time intensive and messy than other cookies, more of a pastry in some ways, but they’re also not as sweet and go really well as a classy side to hot beverages. And they look fancy:

Here’s the recipe – enjoy!

Cinnamon Twists

4 cups sifted flour
1 1/2 cups margarine
3 egg yolks
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg whites
3 tblsp. sifted confectioner’s sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
sugar and cinnamon

Place in a large bowl: flour, margarine, yolks, sour cream, and vanilla. Cut in (as for pastry mix) well and chill overnight. When ready to bake, divide dough into eight parts. Roll each part onto a board dusted with confectioner’s sugar. Cut into 8 or 12 wedges. Then beat the egg whites until fluffy; gradually add sifted confectioner’s sugar. Fold in vanilla. Brush rolled dough with egg mixture. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll each wedge loosely (starting at wide end). Brush rolled slices with egg mixture and cinnamon and sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet in oven at 400 degrees. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Supposedly, this serves about 30 people.

Heartbreaking Dawns Hot Sauce

Recently, we acquired some excellent products from the good people at Heartbreaking Dawns, including a hot jam/chutney, hot sauce, and hot rub. I decided to try some of the Jalapeno Pineapple Hot Sauce on a batch of chicken wings and legs, and was not disappointed. I barbecued the chicken on the outdoor grill – I coated it with a little oil and garlic powder at first and cooked about 3/4 done before brushing on the hot sauce.I used a very light touch with the sauce since it’s pretty potent, and I’m definitely not the bravest hot sauce eater out there.

The Jalapeno Pineapple sauce has a distinctive sweet, citric flavor which greets the tongue first. It’s immediately followed by the kick (that’s an understatement) of jalapeno and habanero peppers. The overall flavor was delicious, enhancing the chicken without overpowering it, with a spice that’ll leave your tongue and lips tingling with heat.

I’ve already been thinking of recipes I can add this sauce to. I have a teriyaki sauce variation which it should compliment nicely. I think it would also go really well with kielbasa.

One final note, the ingredients in the sauce are all quality, with nothing you can’t pronounce. And there are no artificial preservatives, MSG, HFCS, or any other evil initials you can think of.

If you love hot sauce, this will be a variety you’ll like to try – something a little different. Their website is Heartbreaking Dawns – check out their entire product assortment – gift packages also look to be available right now as well.

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