Best Apricot Almond Twistspampered Chef Recipes

APRICOT ALMOND TWISTS(PAMPERED CHEF)

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!

ALMOND TWISTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Sprinkle work surface lightly with superfine sugar.
• Unfold pastry and roll out to 12" square.
• Break apart almond paste into little pieces and scatter evenly over half of the dough.
• Fold dough in half over almond paste. Roll out to 10 x 12".
• Add more sugar to work surface as needed to keep dough from sticking.
• Fold dough in half again and roll out again to 10" x 12".
• Cut in half to make 2 rectangles each 5" x 12".
• Using a pizza wheel, cut each rectangle into 12 strips, each 1" x 5".
• Twist each strip into a loose corkscrew and put on ungreased cookie sheets 1" apart.
• Bake 15 - 18 minutes, until puffed and golden.
• Remove to wire rack to cool.
• In two small microwaveable bowls, separately melt the chocolates.
• Drizzle both chocolates over the cooled twists.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE SWIRL BREAD(PAMPERED CHEF)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375*F.
• For bread:.
• Lightly spray 4 mini loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. Coarsely chop almonds and white chocolate chips; place in a bowl.
• Unroll one package of the bread dough on a lightly floured surfaace. Do Not Stretch.
• Lightly beat the egg white and water in a small bowl. Brush the dough with a portion of the egg white mixture.
• Grate half of the chocoate chips evenly over the dough(I chop them in the food processor). Sprinkle with half of the almond and white chocolate mixture: roll lightly with a rolling pin, pressing mixture into the dough.
• Unroll the remaining package of bread dough directly over the first dough layer, matching edges and rolling lightly to seal.
• Brush dough lightly with a portion of the egg white mixture.
• Grate the remaining chocolate chips over dough. Sprinkle with remaining white chocolate and almond mixture; roll lightly with rolling pin.
• Starting at narrow edge, roll dough up tightly; pinch edge to seal. Slice roll into four equal portions; place seam side down in mini pan. Make a deep cut down the length of each loaf without cutting through ends. Brush loaves with remaining egg white mixture.
• Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven; cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove loaves from pan. Cool completely.
• For chocolate drizzle, place chocolate chips and oil in a small microwave proof bowl. Place in microwave, uncovered on high 30-40 seconds or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Do not overheat. Drizzle over loaves; sprinkle with additional almonds or chocolate chips, if desired. Enjoy!

APRICOT ALMOND STUFFING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place torn croissant pieces, chopped onion, sliced almonds, tarragon, thyme, parsley, quartered apricot bits, and orange zest in a large mixing bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, apricot preserves (or jam), and half of the chicken broth; stir until blended. Pour the broth mixture over the stuffing mixture.
• Use a large spatula or wooden spoon to toss the stuffing mixture until all the ingredients are well blended. Use as much of the remaining broth--adding a little at a time--as is needed to get the stuffing thoroughly moist (but not saturated or "soupy"). I usually use nearly all of the 2 cups of broth, with maybe 1/8 cup or so not used (I've never really measured the unused portion).
• Place stuffing in a 10x10-inch baking dish, cover, and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
• NOTE - I don't usually grease my pyrex casserole dish for this stuffing, and I have never had a problem with the stuffing sticking to the edges or bottom, and the clean-up is very easy (no crusty pieces stuck to the dish). But, depending on what type of dish you use to roast the stuffing, you might want to first lightly butter your baking dish or lightly coat it with a no-stick cooking spray.
• TIP - Take advantage of sales, and buy day-old croissants at a reduced price when you plan to make this dish. They will be well moistened with the buttery broth, so it won't matter if they are a bit dry.