Apricot Twists Recipes

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring apricots and 1/2 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until water is absorbed and fruit is tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor; add brown sugar. Cover and process until smooth., In a bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat butter and remaining water to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., 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 until doubled, about 40-45 minutes., Punch dough down; divide into thirds. On greased baking sheets, roll out each portion into a 12x8-in. rectangle. Spread filling down the center of each rectangle. On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips about 2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 375°. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over braids.

Steps:

• Set oven to 400 degrees.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (you will most likely need two baking sheets for 16 pastries).
• Roll out one puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface into a 12x10-inch rectangle, then cut in half lengthwise (I use a pizza cutter for this).
• Cut each half crosswise into four 5x3-inch strips (for a total of 8 strips).
• Spread each strip with about 1/2 tablespoon apricot jam, then fold the strips in half lengthwise to form 1-1/2-inch wide strips.
• Twist each strip 3 times, then place on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Repeat with the remaining puff pastry (you should have 16 pastries when done, you might have to use two baking sheets.
• Bake for about 15-20 minutes.
• Transfer the twists to a rack.
• In a small bowl whisk together confectioners sugar, whipping cream and lemon juice; brush over the warm pastries.

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12- by 10-inch rectangle, then cut in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 4 (5- by 3-inch) strips (for a total of 8 strips).
• Spread each strip with 1/2 tablespoon jam, then fold strips in half lengthwise to form 1 1/2-inch-wide strips. Twist each strip 3 times and place on baking sheet.
• Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer twists to a rack set over a sheet of parchment. Stir together confectioners sugar, cream, and lemon juice until smooth, then brush over warm twists. Serve warm.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Roll out puff pastry into a rectangle, about 12 by 15 inches. Spread preserves over the dough, to within 1/2-inch of the edges. Fold dough in half lengthwise. Gently roll again to seal edges. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough crosswise into 1/2-inch thick strips. Take each strip by the ends and tie into a knot. Arrange knots on a large baking sheet and press down the ends. Bake 6 to 10 minutes, until puffed up and golden brown.
• Scoop frozen yogurt or ice cream into dessert bowls and lay twists over top.

Steps:

• The night before, put apricots and orange juice in a bowl and set aside.
• To make the dough, put flour, 1 tsp salt, butter, milk, yeast and egg in a bowl, and mix together to form a dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 mins.
• Transfer dough to a mixing bowl. Cover, then set aside to rise in a warm place for 1 hr.
• Meanwhile, drain the apricots. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and muscovado sugar until fluffy. Mix in the apricots, flour, raisins, walnuts and orange zest.
• Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to a rectangle, about 25 x 33cm. Evenly spread over the apricot mix, then roll out the marzipan and lay it on top. Roll up the rectangle tightly so it looks like a Swiss roll. Roll slightly, then cut lengthways along the roll, leaving 1 end joined. Twist 2 lengths together, then shape into a ring on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment. Set aside to rise for 1 hr.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bake the twist for 30 mins until risen and dark golden. Towards the end of the baking time, gently warm the apricot jam in a small pan. Brush the freshly baked loaf with the warm jam to glaze it, then set it aside to cool. Once cooled, drizzle the twist heavily with the runny icing.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• Dice apricots. Place apricots, chocolate chips, cranberries, flour and almond extract in a bowl. Mix well. Add water and mix again.
• Place bread dough, seam sides up, on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice each loaf lengthwise, end to end, cutting halfway through to center of loaf; spread open flat. Lightly sprinkle additional flour evenly over dough.
• Using a rolling pin, roll dough crosswise to a 4" width, creating a well down the center of each loaf.
• Spoon half of apricot mixture down the center of each loaf. Gather up the edges over filling, pinching firmly to seal.
• Place loaves, seam sides down, in an X pattern on baking sheet(or baking stone). Crisscross ends of dough to form a large figure 8, keeping ends of dough 1" from edge of pan and leaving two 1 1/2" openings in center of twist.
• Lightly brush egg white over dough using a pastry brush. Cut a 3" slit in each of the top sections of the twist to reveal filling.
• Sprinkle almonds evenly over dough, pressing gently.
• Bake 30-32 minutes or until deep golden brown.
• Remove from the oven. Cool 10 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if you like. Cut into slices and serve warm. Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius (400F).
• Mix flour, sugar and salt.
• Cut the butter into pieces and mix into the flour.
• Knead the butter and the flour together with one hand until you have a firm dough ball.
• Cut the apricots in small pieces and mix them with the almonds and ginger syrup.
• Press half the dough into a 24cm/10 in round pie dish.
• Spread the apricot mixture over the top.
• Roll out the other half on a lightly floured work surface until it is the same size as the dish.
• Place over apricot filling, firmly pressing the pastry edges together.
• Now use the blunt side of a knife and decorate the dough with cross-hatching markings.
• Brush with milk.
• Bake the butter cake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
• Allow to cool and just before serving slice cake into wedges.