Orange Currant Pick Me Up Recipes

ORANGE-CURRANT MUFFINS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°. Grease bottoms only of 12 medium muffin cups, 2 1/2x1 1/4 inches, or line with paper baking cups.
• Beat milk, oil, juice concentrate, 2 teaspoons orange peel and the egg in large bowl until blended. Stir in flour, 1/2 cup sugar, the baking powder and salt all at once just until flour is moistened (batter will be lumpy). Fold in currants. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon orange peel; sprinkle over batter in cups.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from pan.

ORANGE CURRANT POLENTA COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, add the currants and orange-flavored liqueur, or water. Soak for 5 minutes, then drain and discard the liquid. Set aside.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to combine. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla and mix on medium speed until incorporated, (the mixture will look curdled). Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture all at once and mix again on low speed until a dough forms - scrape again including the beaters. When a dough forms add the currants, zest, and polenta and mix on low until thoroughly combined. Roll into small 1-inch balls, and arrange on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, about 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

ORANGE-CURRANT SCONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or baking mat, or use a nonstick pan.
• Toss dry ingredients and zest together in a large bowl. Using your fingertips or a pastry cutter, rub butter and flour mixture together just until butter pieces are the size of peas and covered with flour. Make a well in the center of the bowl and pour in egg and cream. Mix ingredients together by hand until a shaggy dough is formed.
• Turn out onto a floured surface and gently mix in currants, kneading dough and currants together just until incorporated.
• Pat dough into a 3/4- to 1-inch-thick rectangle. Cut rectangle in half lengthwise, then cut across into 8 or 12 smaller rectangles. Place them on the baking sheet, spaced out.
• Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with brown sugar (if using). Bake until light golden brown, about 22 minutes; rotate the pan front to back halfway through. Let scones cool slightly on the baking sheet. Serve warm or at room temperature. Eat within 24 hours.

ORANGE-CURRANT SCONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Soak currants in enough warm water to cover 10 minutes to soften; drain.
• Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in orange peel, egg, currants and just enough half-and-half until dough leaves side of bowl.
• Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 10 times. Divide dough in half. Roll or pat each half into 6-inch circle, about 1/2-inch thick. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; brush with egg white.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Cut each circle into 10 wedges.