Nutty Orange Platter Food

PAULA DEEN'S NUTTY ORANGE COFFEE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, pecans, and zest; set aside.
• Score and cut the cream cheese into 20 equal pieces, approximately 3/4 teaspoons each. Separate the biscuits.
• Place about 3/4 teaspoon cream cheese in the center of each biscuit. Fold each biscuit in half over the cheese, pressing the edges to seal.
• Dip the biscuits in melted butter, then dredge in the granulated sugar mixture. Place the biscuits, curved-side down, in a single layer in the hollows of a lightly greased 12-cup bundt pan, spacing them evenly (do not stack). Place any remaining biscuits around the tube, filling any gaps. Drizzle any remaining butter over the biscuits, and sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture.
• Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Immediately invert the cake onto a serving platter.
• Combine the confectioners' sugar and orange juice, stirring well; drizzle the glaze over the warm cake. Serve warm.

NUTTY ORANGE PLATTER

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large frying pan. Add the pistachio nuts and cook for a few mins until toasted, turning and shaking the pan frequently to prevent them from burning. Sprinkle over the sugar and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Turn out on to a plate and leave to cool (about 5 mins), then roughly chop.
• Using a sharp knife, cut the bottom off each orange, then carefully cut away the skin and pith, following the curve of the fruit. Cut into slices. Arrange on a plate with any juices. Serve with the nuts scattered over and the yogurt or crème fraîche to dollop on top.

EASY NUTTY ORANGE SNOWBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and 3/4 cup of powdered sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in the fresh grated orange peel and the orange and vanilla extracts.
• In another mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt; gradually add this to creamed mixture and mix well.
• Stir in chopped nuts; mix well.
• Shape into 3/4 inch balls and place each ball about 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned.
• Remove from oven; transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
• Place the remaining powdered sugar in a 1-gallon Ziplock bag; add a few cookies at a time and shake to coat.
• Sprinkle with ground cinnamon, if desired.
• Store in an airtight container.