RECIPE: BUTTER SWIM CINNAMON BISCUITS

BUTTER SWIM CINNAMON BISCUITS

8x8 heatproof dish

1/2 cup butter
Filling

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 1/4 cups heavy cream, divided

Biscuits

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt1 cup whole buttermilk

Glaze

1 1/2 cup Confectioners sugar

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F

Place butter in an 8x8-inch baking dish and put it in the oven until the butter melts. Set aside.

Stir the brown sugar, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons heavy cream together in a small bowl until smooth and set aside.

Whisk the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Add 1 cup each heavy cream and buttermilk and stir until completely combined.

Divide the batter in half. It will be thick, so work quickly to spread the first 1/2 of the batter out as evenly as possible on the bottom. Yes- on top of the butter.

Spoon the brown sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Top with remaining batter.

Use a knife to score batter into 9 squares.

Bake until biscuits are evenly browned and cooked through, about 25 to 27 minutes.

While it bakes, whisk the Confectioners sugar and cream cheese together with a few drops of the remaining heavy cream as needed until it is the consistency you want. Set aside.

When the biscuits are done, spread the icing evenly over hot biscuits. Serve immediately.

RECIPE: CRANBERRY ORANGE SCONES

Cranberries are not just for the holidays… I love the dried cranberries all year long. While I use the Craisins dried cranberries in this recipe, you can use something else if you prefer but do not use frozen fruit. Fresh cherries and fresh blueberries work very well. Enjoy!

CRANBERRY ORANGE SCONES

1 3/4 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter. cut into pieces

6 tablespoons half-and-half

1 large egg, beaten

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 teaspoon orange zest (save orange for the glaze)

Orange Glaze

1 cup (120g) Confectioners' sugar

2-3 Tablespoons (30-45ml) fresh orange juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400ª F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a bowl by hand, blend together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and butter.

Add the half and half, beaten egg, cranberries, and 1/3 teaspoon orange zest; mix until the dough holds together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat the dough into a ½” round circle and fold both sides to the middle. Pat it out into a circle and repeat two more times. Use flour as needed to keep the dough from sticking but do not over flour- it will result in dry scones.

Pat the dough out again to a 1/2-inch-thick round. Cut into 8 wedges or use a biscuit cutter and cut into rounds, if you prefer.

Transfer the wedges to the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 14 minutes or until golden brown. When they come out of the oven, brush with a small amount of melted butter and sprinkle with a tiny amount of sugar.

Serve warm with butter, jam, clotted cream, or your favorite fruit compote.

These can also be frozen and baked at a later time.

THE PERFECT SUMMER HOSTESS GIFT: MAKE A BLOODY MARY GIFT BASKET

If you have been invited to visit friends at their lake or beach home this summer, you most certainly will take something to say thank you but it isn’t always easy to figure out what to take. I’ve got the perfect answer for you- make them a Bloody Mary gift basket! This is always a favorite when I show up with it- and it is so easy to assemble.

Get a nice, sturdy basket. I get mine at the farmer’s market.

Start with your favorite Bloody Mary mix. I like Zing Zang, Major Peters, McClure’s, and Tabasco. Sometimes, I make my own and bottle in canning jars, but it has to be kept cool. Here is that recipe.

Next, add some or all of the following:

• VODKA

• HOT SAUCE

• OLD BAY SEASONING

• PICKLED OKRA- Wickles makes a good one!

• CORNICHONS OR PETITE PICKLES

• PICKLED GREEN BEANS

• PICKLED PEARL ONIONS

• CELERY SALT

• HORSERADISH

• GREEN OLIVES

• PRETTY COCKTAIL NAPKINS

• STIRRERS

• FUN PLASTIC CUPS (some places will not allow glass on the beach, so disposable or reusable plastic is good. Swoozie’s has fun ones, and you can always find them on Etsy or Amazon.)

You can add fresh peppers from your garden, too, if you have them.

Wrap it all up with cellophane and tie it with a bow. Your hostess will love it!