Every Saturday in December we have been sharing wonderful treats made with our spice blends and extracts and this week was no exception. The recipes below are so yummy you'll definitely want to make them for your family & guests this holiday season.
Tilia’s Quatre Spice Twists
A favourite in Europe, this spicy blend has course ground white pepper, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Spicy & sweet at the same time!
Ingredients:
1 – 10″x10″ sheet of prepared puff pastry (with palm and canola oil if making vegan rolls)
1 Tbsp melted butter (or coconut oil if vegan)
2 Tbsp shredded parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast if vegan)
1 tsp Tilia’s Quatre Spice blend
Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lay out puff pastry and brush with melted butter or coconut oil but reserve 1 tsp. Sprinkle Tilia’s Quatre Spice blend over the entire sheet and spread evenly. Sprinkle one light layer of parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast over the sheet then fold in half. Flatten together with a rolling pin and brush with the remaining melted butter or coconut oil. Sprinkle and spread a pinch more of Tilia’s Quatre Spice then fold once more widthwise to form a small square. Flatten with a rolling pin again until the pastry is the original 10″x10″ size. Slice into 1″x4″ strips. Twist them lengthwise and lay in a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
Tilia’s Lemon Fennel Italian “S” Cookies
This cookie is a holiday tradition for many Italian families and we have added a Tilia twist to this lovely cookie. Rather than the anisette that is generally used we added our Lemon Fennel spice blend and have created a tasty, fun cookie for you to enjoy.
Ingredients:
3 ½ cups unbleached flour
3 ½ tsp baking powder
2 tsp Tilia’s Lemony Fennel spice blend
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
½ tsp lemon extract
Glaze:
1 Tbsp of unsalted butter, melted
1 cup icing sugar
3 Tbsp milk
Sugar sprinkles (optional)
Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, Tilia’s Lemony Fennel spice blend and salt, set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Mix in the lemon extract. Add in the milk and flour, alternating portions of each until all combined.
Turn dough onto a floured board and knead until dough is firm and not sticky, adding more flour if necessary.
Break off a handful of dough at a time and roll into long pencil, cut into 5 or 6 inch pieces. Shape into ‘S’ shape on ungreased cookie sheet. These cookies will puff up. Bake approximately 8-10 minutes. Remove to cool on rack, then frost. Makes about 2 ½ dozen depending on size of cookie.
Glaze: In a large bowl, melt 1 Tbsp of butter. Add in 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar. Stir in milk, stirring to incorporate well, to a desired consistency for frosting the cookies (add more milk if needed). Brush on cookies or use a spoon, if using sprinkles apply right away and return to rack to set. Let cool completely and store in airtight containers.
Orange Blossom Shortbread
Orange Blossom water is widely used in Middle Eastern cooking but it is delicious in any dish. In these melt in your mouth shortbread the Orange Blossom water adds and exotic aroma and taste
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp Tilia’s Organic Vanilla Extract
½ tsp Tilia’s Organic Orange Extract
¼ salt
2 cups flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp cream of tartar
½ tsp baking soda
2 ½ tsp Tilia’s Organic Culinary Orange Blossom Water
2 ½ tsp water
Extra granulated sugar for rolling dough in
Directions: Beat the butter, sugars egg and extracts in a large bowl. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and the salt. Combine the flour mixture into the butter mix then stir in the plain water and Orange Blossom Water. Gently knead to fully combine. Cover and refrigerate for ½ hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into small balls. Flatten balls slightly and then roll balls in granulated sugar. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 10 – 11 minutes or until just starting to turn lightly golden. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.