Lemon Poppy Pinwheels Food

LEMONADE PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla and lemon extracts. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture until just combined.
• Remove half the dough to a large piece of plastic wrap, flatten into a disk and wrap. Add 2 tablespoons gelatin powder, the lemon zest and juice and the yellow gel food coloring to the remaining dough and beat until combined. Turn out onto another piece of plastic, flatten into a disk and wrap. Refrigerate both disks until firm, at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Roll out each disk of dough into a 10-by-11-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Put the plain dough on top of the lemon dough and trim the edges. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon yellow sanding sugar over the top of the dough and gently spread to evenly cover. Starting with a long end, roll up the dough into a log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix the remaining 2 tablespoons gelatin powder, 1 tablespoon yellow sanding sugar and the coarse white sugar in a bowl; sprinkle on a sheet of parchment. Roll the dough in the sugar mixture, pressing to adhere. Slice the log into 3/8-inch-thick rounds; arrange 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are puffed and set around the edges, about 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the pans, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

MUFFULETTA PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Pulse the olives in a food processor until finely chopped; transfer to a small bowl (be sure to scrape out every last bit). Wipe out the food processor bowl. Pulse the giardiniera in the processor until finely chopped; transfer to a medium bowl, add the mayonnaise and stir to combine.
• Put an 18-inch-long piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Arrange 9 slices of the bread on the plastic in a 3-piece-by-3-piece square, overlapping the pieces by 1/4 inch. Press the overlapping parts together firmly with your fingers so they stick together. Cover the bread with another 18-inch-long piece of plastic wrap, and roll over the bread several times with a rolling pin, pressing to adhere and flatten the bread. Remove the top piece of plastic, and spread half the giardinera mayonnaise over the bread in an even layer.
• Fold half the mortadella slices in half, and place them on the bottom third of the bread square. Place half the salami slices on the mortadella, then add half the provolone slices (overlap the slices in each row). Spread half the chopped olives evenly over the cheese.
• Tightly roll up the bread and filling, starting at the bottom, using the plastic wrap to keep it together and tucking the filling in tightly as you go. Tighten the plastic wrap at the ends and pinch the ends together until you have made a very tight roll. Repeat with the remaining 9 slices of bread and fillings. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight.
• Unwrap the logs, and slice each into twelve 3/4-inch slices.

PEPPERMINT PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and peppermint extracts and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until well combined.
• Divide the dough into 3 pieces. Return 1 piece to the bowl; beat in the red food coloring with the mixer until the color is fully incorporated. Beat the green food coloring into another piece of dough. Leave the last piece of dough plain. Place each piece of dough on a separate sheet of plastic wrap and pat into a 4-inch square. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Lightly flour 1 piece of dough; roll out between 2 sheets of parchment paper into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Repeat with the remaining dough. Refrigerate the dough rectangles until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Carefully remove the top piece of parchment from each piece of dough. Flip the plain dough on top of the red dough; remove the parchment. Flip the green dough on top of the plain dough; remove the parchment. Cut the stack in half crosswise. Roll up each half lengthwise into a tight log, using the parchment to help you. Transfer to a baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Trim the ends of each log; slice into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and divide between the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with coarse sugar. (If the dough is too soft to slice, refrigerate until firm, 15 to 30 minutes.) Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are just firm, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

SPINACH-CHEDDAR PINWHEELS

Steps:

• Pat one 8-ounce tube crescent-roll dough into an 8-by-12-inch rectangle, pressing the seams. Brush with dijon mustard; top with 1/2 cup each thawed frozen chopped spinach (squeezed dry) and grated cheddar, and 1/4 cup chopped scallions, leaving a border. Season with salt. Starting with a short side, roll into a log; pinch the edge. Slice into 8 pinwheels. Bake at 350 degrees F on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 16 to 20 minutes.

LEMON-POPPY SEED ROLLS

Steps:

• Make the dough: Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat until warm but not hot, about 100˚ F. Remove from the heat and sprinkle in the yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk the flour, granulated sugar and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Whisk the melted butter, egg yolks and vanilla into the milk-yeast mixture, then pour into the well and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together into a wet shaggy dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead, dusting with flour as needed, until the dough comes together into a loose, slightly sticky ball, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to a buttered bowl, turning to coat. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Mash the poppy seed filling with the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt in a small bowl with a fork until combined; set aside.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface; pat and roll out into a 10-by-18-inch rectangle. Spread the filling over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on one long side. Brush the clean edge with water, then tightly roll up the dough into a log, starting with a long side and rolling toward the clean edge; pinch the seam to seal.
• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Slice the dough log into 12 pieces with a sharp knife and arrange cut-side up in the dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Uncover the rolls and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the icing: Mix the cream cheese and butter in a large bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and mix until smooth. Spread on the warm rolls.

LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F Coat muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Add the egg yolks, one at a time.
• Beat well after each.
• In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients, poppy seeds, and lemon zest.
• With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating two times with the buttermilk, then lemon juice, and then vanilla.
• Beat just until smooth.
• In another bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Gently fold them into the muffin batter until blended.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, 3/4-full.
• Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Cool for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely.
• I sometimes sprinkle the muffin mixture with sugar prior to putting in the oven just to add a little extra sweetness.