Old Fashioned Wreaths Food

CORN FLAKE WREATHS

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave the butter just until melted. Add the marshmallows to the bowl, and microwave in 30-second intervals until the marshmallows are melted, stirring between each interval.
• Once the marshmallows and butter are melted and smooth, stir in the almond extract, vanilla extract, and enough food coloring to get the desired color. Adding the cornflakes will dilute the green color, so make the color a little darker than you want the finished product to be.
• Pour the cornflakes over the marshmallow mixture and stir gently to coat the flakes, trying not to crush them.
• Place a heaping spoonful of coated cornflakes onto the prepared baking sheet. Spray your hands with nonstick cooking spray, and gently form a hole in the middle of the candy, working it into a 3-inch wreath to yield 8 candies.
• While the wreath is still sticky, press three red candies in a cluster on each wreath for decoration.
• Allow the wreaths to set at room temperature, then carefully remove them from the baking sheet. Serve them at room temperature. These candies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Separate each layer of candy with waxed paper so that they do not stick together.

OATMEAL SHORTBREAD WREATHS

Steps:

• Pulse the oats in a food processor until finely ground. Add the flour, brown sugar and salt and pulse. Add the butter and egg yolk and process until the dough comes together and no streaks of butter remain. Divide the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pat into disks; wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Let the dough sit at room temperature about 5 minutes to soften slightly. Working with one piece at a time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured sheet of parchment paper until 1/4 inch thick; dust with more flour. (If the dough becomes too soft, refrigerate 15 minutes.) Cut out cookies with a 2 1/2-inch round cutter (preferably fluted), then cut out the centers with a 3/4-inch round cutter. Arrange the wreaths 1 inch apart on the prepared pans. Reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies.
• Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are dry and firm on top and golden brown around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the pans. Lightly brush the tops with the maple syrup, then immediately sprinkle with the crushed raspberries and sanding sugar. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

TRADITIONAL ITALIAN EASTER BREAD

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand up mixer whisk together the flour, salt, zest and sugar, make a well in the centre and add the milk and yeast, mix together with a fork. Then add the egg. With the dough hook attachment knead for approximately 1 minute just to combine.
• Cover the bowl with plastic and let rise 2 hours, every 30 minutes fold both ends into the middle (repeating 4 times).
• When the time has passed add the butter a little at a time, on medium high speed with the dough hook, knead just to combine all the butter, then let the dough rest 10 minutes. Knead again for 5-6 minutes until smooth and the dough does not stick to the sides of the bowl. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
• Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface. Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each part into 2 ropes (10-12 inches / 25-30cm), join 2 ropes at the top and twist the ends one over the other (see photo), join the ends to form a wreath (circle) repeat with the remaining ropes. Place the wreaths on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, cover and let rise in a warm draft free area for 1-2 hours or doubled in bulk.
• 15 minutes before rising time has finished pre heat oven to 390F (195C).
• Add a dyed uncooked egg (if desired) to the centre of the wreath then brush the wreaths with the egg wash (be careful not to brush the eggs) and sprinkle with the sprinkles. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden, or when tapped on the bottom and there is a hollow sound. Immediately move the baked buns to a wire rack to cool. Let cool before serving. Enjoy!
• In a small bowl beat together the egg and water.