APRICOT PINWHEELS

Apricot Pinwheels image

I decorate my little spirals with vanilla icing, but they're yummy without it, too. Dried apricots and lots of spice give the cookies Old World flavor. -Beverly Sadergaski, Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 8 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

1 cup chopped dried apricots
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
ICING:
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Steps:

In a small saucepan, combine apricots, water and sugar. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Transfer to a blender; cover and process until pureed. Stir in pecans; set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cardamom and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours or overnight., Divide dough into two portions. On a baking sheet, roll out each portion between two sheets of waxed paper into a 15x9-in. rectangle. Refrigerate 30 minutes., Remove waxed paper. Spread half of the apricot mixture over one portion. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; wrap in plastic. Repeat with remaining dough. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm., Unwrap and cut into 1/4-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., In a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Pipe onto cookies. Let stand until set., To Make Ahead: Dough can be made 2 days in advance. Wrap logs in plastic and place in a resealable bag. Store in the refrigerator., Freeze option: Place wrapped logs in resealable plastic freezer bags and freeze. To use, unwrap frozen logs and cut into slices. Bake as directed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 82 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 44mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.