Finding Clay Pots for the Holidays

Directions
Dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter. Add beaten egg and salt. Stir in cooled milk, and then the yeast. Add l l/2 cups sifted flour; beat to smooth batter. Cover and let rise until light, about one hour. Stir spices and dried orange zest into the sponge. Add 4 l/2 cups of flour to make a soft dough. Place on a lightly floured board, and knead until smooth and elastic. Knead in raisins and candied peel. Put in a well oiled bowl, and turn once to coat the surface of the dough. Cover. Set aside to rise until double in bulk, about 2 hours.

Divide dough into ten parts, roll into desired lengths, and let rise about l5 minutes. On a heavily greased baking sheet or shallow clay pot, make a braid of three parts, beginning in the center and working braid loosely toward each end. Pinch ends together. Twist the remaining two pieces together, and place on the base of the braid. In a small bowl, beat together egg yolk and milk; brush the loaf with this mixture. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the loaf. Repeat process for second loaf. Let rise about 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes. Transfer bread to a wire rack, and cool completely. Cover while cooling with a tea towel to make a soft crust. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Baked Apples with Mint

Ingredients

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Core apples and peel off a 1 inch strip around the hole on the top of each apple. Place apples in a shallow baking dish or clay pot. Combine raisins, brown sugar, and mint leaves. Fill apples with the raisin mixture. Top the raisin filling in each apple with 1 teaspoon butter. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 50 minutes, until apples are tender.

Creme Brulee

Ingredients

Directions
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Beat egg yolks, 4 tablespoons sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl until thick and creamy. Pour cream into a saucepan and stir over low heat until it almost comes to boil. Remove the cream from heat immediately. Stir cream into the egg yolk mixture; beat until combined.Pour cream mixture into the top of a double boiler. Stir over simmering water until mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon; approximately 3 minutes. Remove mixture from heat immediately and pour into a shallow heat-proof dish or clay pot. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or overnight. Preheat oven to broil.

In a small bowl combine remaining 2 tablespoons white sugar and brown sugar. Sift this mixture evenly over custard. Place dish under broiler until sugar melts, about 2 minutes. Watch carefully so as not to burn. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Refrigerate until custard is set again.

Keep in mind that you can use clay pots of all sizes for these recipes, in case you want to bake individual dishes or desserts for each member of the family. You can also have a Christmas dessert tasting, and use smaller clay pots to give everyone a sample of the great desserts you've prepared. Enjoy!

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