Archive for the ‘Easter’ Category

Fresh Apple Easter Cake

Source: Washington Apple Commission

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 (18.25 ounce) box spice cake mix
1 small box instant butterscotch
    or vanilla pudding and pie filling
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup cold water
3 medium Washington apples (Braeburn or Granny
    Smith) peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
1 cup golden raisins
Confectioners? sugar (optional)

Sprinkle walnuts in bottom of greased and floured 10-inch tube pan or 12-cup fluted tube pan; set aside.

Mix cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil and water in large bowl with mixer at medium speed for 3 minutes or until well blended. Stir in apples and raisins if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 55 to 65 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes; invert onto rack and cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioners? sugar before serving.

Italian Easter Bread

This festive sweet bread is wonderful for Easter morning.

1 package dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F)
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
1 tablespoon crushed aniseed
4 eggs
1 egg yolk
About 4 3/4 cups flour
1 cup raisins

Blend yeast with warm water and allow 5 minutes for it to dissolve. Add butter, sugar, milk, salt, orange rind, aniseed, eggs and egg yolk. Add 2 cups of the flour and beat at medium speed of electric mixer for 10 minutes. Add 1 cup flour at low speed. Add 1 3/4 cups flour, stirring until well blended. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Punch dough down, turn out onto floured surface and knead 10 minutes. Gently knead in raisins. Divide dough into 2 balls. Form two (9 inch) flattened rounds on a greased baking sheet. Cover lightly with greased plastic wrap and allow to rise until "puffy" (40 to 45 minutes). Make topping.

Topping
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup almond paste
1 egg white beaten with 1 tablespoon water
3/4 to 1 cup sliced almonds
Confectioners? sugar

Blend sugar, flour, butter and almond paste with electric mixer until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Brush top of rounds with egg white and water mixture. Place topping over loaves; then sprinkle with almonds. Press lightly. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven about 30 minutes. Serve warm dusted with confectioners’ sugar.