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Visions of sugarplums danced on their bread

Yummy muffins, cake perfect for brunch

Even good old biscuits can get dressed-up for the holidays. "A

basic biscuit can be transformed into a special treat with a few easy

additions and a sweet icing," says Martha White baking expert Linda

Carman. "Our Glazed Sugarplum biscuits are studded with dried fruit bits

and toasted almonds and crowned with a simple almond-flavored glaze."

Glazed Sugarplum Biscuits

Biscuits:

2 cups Martha White Self-Rising Flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/3 cup shortening

1 cup dried fruit bits

1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted*

3/4 cup buttermilk**

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. milk

1/4 tsp. almond extract

Heat oven to 450 degrees. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar,

and baking soda. Using pastry blender or fork, cut in shortening

until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; stir in fruit bits and almonds.

Add buttermilk to dry ingredients; stir until just blended. Turn dough

out onto floured surface; knead lightly until no longer sticky. Roll

dough out to 1/2-inch thick; cut with three-inch round floured cutter. Place

on ungreased cookie sheet with sides touching. Bake at 450 degrees for

10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool five minutes on wire

rack. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine all glaze ingredients. Stir

until smooth. Spoon glaze over warm biscuits. Yield: 8-10 biscuits.

Tips: *To toast almonds, spread on cookie sheet. Bake at

350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring

occasionally. Or, spread almonds in a thin layer in microwave-safe pie pan.

Microwave on high for 4 to 7 minutes or until golden brown,

stirring frequently.

**Add additional buttermilk if dough is dry, one tablespoon at

a time.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Martha White.

Pear Pecan Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1-1/4 cups chopped fresh ripe pears, unpeeled

1/3 cup coarsely chopped toasted Georgia pecans

3/4 cup milk

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 egg, lightly beated

1 Tbsp. sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, baking

powder, salt, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Stir to combine.

Add pears and pecans and toss to coat. In a glass measuring cupp

whisk together milk, oil and egg. Add to flour mixture, stirring just

until moist. Divide batter among 12 lightly greased muffin cups

(or you may line them with muffin papers.) Sprinkle with sugar.

Bake 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out

clean. Remove muffins from pan at once. Let cool on a wire rack.

Packaging tip: Place muffins ina pretty box lined with

parchment paper.

Photo and recipe courtesy of the Georgia Pecan Commission.

Zucchini Spice Cake

2-1/2 cups grated peeled zucchini (approximately one pound)

1 cup ground pecans

1 cup flaked coconut

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 Tbsp. vanilla

2-1/2 granulated sugar

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

Pineapple Cream Cheese icing (recipe below)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease and flour mini bread pans.

Combine zucchini, walnuts and coconut; set aside. Beat

together eggs, oil and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Beat in

granulated sugar. Gradually add combined dry ingredients, beating

well after each addition. Stir in zucchini mixture. Pour evenly

into prepared pans. Bake 35 minutes or until wooden toothpick

inserted in center comes out clean. Cool

pans on wire rack to cool completely. Fill and frost with

Pineapple Cream Cheese Icing.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Icing

Beat together 1 (8 oz.) package of softened cream cheese and

1/2 cup softened margarine in a large bowl until creamy. Add 1 (8

oz.) can drained crushed pineapple. Gradually add one pound

(4-1/2 cups) sifted powdered sugar, beating until smooth and of

spreading consistency.

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