Best Apricot Pineapple Braid Recipes

CLASSIC PINEAPPLE-APRICOT GLAZED HAM

Steps:

• For the ham: Remove the ham from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Trim off any skin from the ham. Use a sharp paring knife to score through the fat in a diagonal crosshatch pattern without cutting through to the meat. Insert the cloves into the ham, placing them at the intersections of the cuts (you may have some cloves left over).
• Put the ham, flat-side down, on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour 1/4 inch water into the bottom of the pan. Transfer to the oven and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 130 degrees F, about 2 hours and 30 minutes (about 15 minutes per pound).
• Meanwhile make the glaze: Squeeze the lime juice into a small saucepan. Add the ginger and pineapple juice. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup, 8 to 10 minutes. Strain, then stir in the lime zest, apricot preserves and Dijon.
• Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Pour half the pineapple glaze over the ham and brush to coat. If the water in the bottom of the pan has evaporated, add more. Return the ham to the oven and roast, basting every 10 minutes with the remaining glaze, until glossy and well browned, about 45 minutes more.
• Let the ham rest for 15 minutes before carving. Carve the ham into slices and serve.

APRICOT AND PINEAPPLE CRISPS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray 4 (10-ounce) ramekins with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• For the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the pineapple chunks, apricots, cinnamon, arrowroot, and reserved pineapple juice. Divide the mixture equally between the ramekins.
• For the topping: In a food processor, combine the flour, oats, butter, sugar, pecans, and salt. Pulse together until the butter is the size of peas.
• Spoon the topping over the filling mixture. Place the ramekins on a small baking sheet and bake until golden and the filling is bubbling, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and serve.

APRICOT BRAIDS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring apricots and 1/2 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until water is absorbed and fruit is tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor; add brown sugar. Cover and process until smooth., In a bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat butter and remaining water to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40-45 minutes., Punch dough down; divide into thirds. On greased baking sheets, roll out each portion into a 12x8-in. rectangle. Spread filling down the center of each rectangle. On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips about 2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 375°. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over braids.

OVEN-ROASTED TRI-TIP WITH APRICOT AND PINEAPPLE SALSA

Steps:

• Combine seasoned salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.
• Pat tri-tip dry with paper towels and place on a cutting board or plate. Rub 1/2 of the spice mixture on one side of the tri-tip, and rub the remaining mixture on the other side. Drizzle 1 teaspoon olive oil on one side of the tri-tip and use a pastry brush to lightly coat the surface. Flip the tri-tip and repeat with 1 teaspoon olive oil on the other side.
• Tightly wrap the seasoned tri-tip in plastic wrap, or use a zip-top bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 8 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the salsa by combining apricots, pineapple tidbits and juice, bell pepper, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice, garlic, and salt in a non-reactive container. Seal and refrigerate at least 1 hour, or longer, if possible, since the apricots will soften over time.
• Allow tri-tip to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Heat remaining 4 teaspoons olive oil in an oven-proof, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Unwrap the tri-tip, and carefully place it in the hot oil. Brown each side, 3 to 4 minutes. Quickly blot any extra oil in the skillet with paper towels, held with tongs.
• Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake until tri-tip is firm but still pink, 15 to 20 minutes, or until desired doneness is achieved. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). A higher internal temperature is not recommended, as the meat will be tough.
• Remove from the oven and tent with foil, about 10 minutes. Slice into thin slices, about 1/4-inch thick, across the grain of the meat. Serve with the chilled salsa.

MCP® APRICOT-PINEAPPLE JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain jars well before filling.
• Chop finely or grind unpeeled and pitted apricots. Measure exactly 3 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Add crushed pineapple and lemon juice.
• Stir pectin into prepared fruit in saucepot. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Return to a full rolling boil and boil exactly 4 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

PINEAPPLE CHEESE BRAID

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add butter, sugar, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour; beat on low speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. , For pineapple filling, combine the pineapple filling ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir until thickened. Cool. In a bowl, combine cream cheese filling ingredients; mix well. , Punch dough down. Divide dough in half. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a 15x9-in. rectangle. Place on greased baking sheets. Spread the cream cheese filling lengthwise down center third of each rectangle. Spread the pineapple filling on top. , On each long side, cut 1-in. wide strips 3 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternately strips at an angle across filling. Seal ends. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. , Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. If desired, combine icing ingredients and drizzle over braids. Store in refrigerator.

APRICOT-PINEAPPLE DREAM

Steps:

• Mix orange-flavored gelatin with pineapple in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Cool completely.
• In a medium mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat gelatin mixture, baby food, cream cheese and whipped topping. Blend well. Stir in nuts. Spoon into serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate at least four hours.

APRICOT, ALMOND & PINEAPPLE SOUR CREAM COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition., Transfer half the batter to a greased 10-in. springform pan. Mix pineapple and apricot preserves; drop by tablespoonfuls over batter. Carefully top with remaining batter. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 60-65 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides from pan with a knife. Cool completely. Remove rim from pan. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar if desired.

CONFETTI FIESTA BRAIDS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 4 cups flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar and salt. In a small saucepan, heat the buttermilk, butter and onion to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in the cheese, corn and peppers. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Divide half of dough into two portions so that one portion is twice the size of the other; shape larger portion into three 16-in. ropes. Place on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under., Shape smaller portion into three 10-in. ropes. Braid on a lightly floured surface; tuck ends under. Brush bottom of braid with water and place over larger braid. Cover loaf and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough., Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter. Cool on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

APRICOT PINEAPPLE JAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring apricots and water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until apricots are very tender. Mash. Add pineapple, grapefruit juice and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, 1 hour or until thick and translucent, stirring frequently., Rinse five 1-cup plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly. Pour into jam into containers; cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Cover and let stand overnight or until set, but no longer than 24 hours. , Jam is now ready to use. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 1 year. Thaw frozen jam in refrigerator before serving.

SURE.JELL FRESH APRICOT-PINEAPPLE JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Pit apricots; do not peel. Finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 3-1/2 cups prepared apricots into 6- or 8-quart saucepot. Peel and core pineapples; finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 1-1/2 cups prepared pineapple into saucepot. Add fruit protector and pectin; mix well. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.
• Add sugar; stir. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary. Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)