Cinnamon Blossoms Recipes

CINNAMON BISCUIT BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Separate dough into 8 biscuits.
• Make 5 (3/4-inch-deep) cuts evenly around outside edge of each biscuit to resemble flower petals.
• Place each biscuit flower on ungreased large cookie sheet. (If biscuits are uneven, flatten slightly to make tops even.).
• In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; mix well.
• Sprinkle sugar mixture over biscuits.
• With thumb, make deep indentation in center of each biscuit.
• Fill each with scant teaspoon jelly.
• Bake at 375°F for 11 to 17 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve warm.

BLOOMIN' APPLE

Steps:

• Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot halfway with oil, attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side of the pot and heat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set aside.
• Whisk together the cider, flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a large bowl until no lumps remain and the batter is completely smooth. Stir together the sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
• Slice the apples in half crosswise (not through the stem). Scoop out the core and seeds using a melon baller, being careful not to go all the way through the apple. Have ready a 1 1/2-inch, 2-inch and 2 1/2-inch round biscuit or cookie cutters. Make 3 concentric circles on each apple half starting with the smallest biscuit cutter around the core and then working out with a slightly bigger cutter each time. Press each ring down into the apple but don't go through the skin (you should have 3 rings). This keeps the apple intact. (See Cook's Note.) Flip an apple over and, visualizing a quarter placed on top of the stem in the center, cut slits through the apple about 1/2 inch apart, circling around the quarter. This also keeps the apple intact. Repeat with the remaining apples.
• Use your hands to gently pull apart the outer layers of the apple while keeping the skin intact. This will allow the batter to sink into the cuts and help the apple bloom.
• Sprinkle each apple half with 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture and let sit for 5 minutes. Stuff the centers with 4 marshmallows each. Place 2 apples at a time in the batter, using a slotted spoon to turn them and evenly coat. Lower each apple cut-side down into the hot oil with the slotted spoon and fry until crispy and golden brown on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Flip the apples over and continue to fry until the apples are tender and golden brown and crispy on the top, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer with a slotted spoon to the prepared baking sheet to drain. Repeat with the remaining apples, being sure to bring the oil temperature back to 350 degrees F before frying again.
• Meanwhile, stir the caramel sauce and salt in a small bowl until well combined. Dollop each apple with whipped cream and drizzle with the caramel sauce. Serve with the remaining sauce for dipping.

CINNAMON BLOSSOMS

Steps:

• Beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until creamy.
• Add dry ingredients, except chocolate chips.
• Put into a cookie press and press out flower-shaped cookies.
• Bake 6-8 minutes or until edges start to lightly brown.
• Remove from oven and immediately place a chocolate chip in the center of each cookie.
• Let cool a minute or two before removing from pan.

CHRISTMAS BISCUITS

Steps:

• Heat the sugar, golden syrup and butter until melted. Mix the spices and flour in a large bowl. Dissolve the bicarbonate of soda in 1 tsp cold water. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, add the melted sugar mix, egg and bicarbonate of soda. Mix well. At this stage the mix will be soft but will firm up on cooling.
• Cover the surface of the biscuit mix with wrapping and leave to cool, then put in the fridge for at least 1 hr to become firm enough to roll out.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly. (At this stage the dough can be put into a food bag and kept in the fridge for up to a week.) Cut the dough in half. Thinly roll out one half on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with cutters, such as gifts, trees and hearts, then transfer to baking sheets, leaving a little room for them to spread. If you plan to hang the biscuits up, make a small hole in the top of each one using a skewer. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake for 12-15 mins until they darken slightly. If the holes you have made have closed up, remake them while the biscuits are warm and soft using a skewer. Cool for a few mins on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool and harden up completely.
• Break up the chocolate and melt in the microwave on Medium for 1-2 mins, or in a small heatproof bowl over simmering water. Drizzle the chocolate over the biscuits, or pipe on shapes or names, then stick a few silver balls into the chocolate. If hung up on the tree, the biscuits will be edible for about a week, but will last a lot longer as decorations.