Aztec Oranges Food

AZTEC FRUIT BARS

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Prepare an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ancho chile powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Stir in the almond, apricots, chocolate, cranberries, dates, figs, brown sugar and popped amaranth. Use your fingers to make sure that everything has been coated with the flour mixture evenly.
• In a separate bowl, using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the honey, vanilla and egg until thick in texture, about 1 minute. Add the egg mixture to the fruit and flour mixture and mix using a spatula until everything is coated with the egg mixture. Spread onto the prepared baking pan, pressing to even out.
• Bake until the batter is golden brown and can pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 minutes. Let cool before cutting.
• Lift the bar from the pan by the edges of the aluminum foil. Use a sharp knife to cut into 16 even squares.

CHOCOLATE AZTEC CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and position a rack in the middle of the oven. Line one 12-cup standard muffin tin with cupcake liners.
• Combine the butter, cocoa, coffee and 1/3 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until the butter melts, about 1 minute. Whisk to combine.
• Meanwhile, whisk the flour, light brown sugar, cinnamon, ancho powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cayenne in a large bowl. Beat the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla in a small bowl. Whisk the hot cocoa mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir in the sour cream mixture just to combine; don't overmix.
• Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds of the way full with batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Cool the cupcakes on a rack in the tin for 10 minutes, and then remove from the tin. Cool on the rack completely.
• For the glaze: Combine the butter, chocolate, honey, ancho powder and salt in a small microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high until the butter and most of the chocolate is melted, about 1 minute. Whisk until smooth and let sit to cool, 15 to 20 minutes. Dip the top of each cupcake in the glaze. Garnish with chiles and dragees if desired.

AZTEC ORANGES

Steps:

• Use a sharp knife to cut a slice off the top and bottom of each of the oranges, then remove the peel and pith, careful to retain the shape of the oranges.
• Hold oranges on their side and cut horizontally into slices.
• Place oranges in a nonmetallic bowl. Cut the lime in half and squeeze over the oranges. Sprinkle with the tequila and liqueur then sprinkle over the brown sugar to taste (two tablespoons or so should be plenty).
• Cover and chill till ready to serve, then transfer to a serving dish, mix gently with the berries and decorate with lime zest. Enjoy!