Pastries: Spicy Baked Syrup cakes: by Recipe Cottage

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	Spicy Baked Syrup cakes:

		Melomakaroma Revani Melomakarona 40 servings 1-1/2 cups Honey 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup water 1 Tbs. Lemon juice 1 lb. walnuts, finely chopped 1-1/4 cups butter, softened 4 tsp. cinnamon, ground (or more) 1-1/2 cups vegetable oil 1/2 cup confectioners Sugar Juice from 2 Oranges, strained 2 Tbs. Cognac or brandy 1/4 tsp. Cloves, ground 1/2 tsp. Nutmeg, ground 1 tsp. Baking powder 1/2 tsp. Baking soda 6 cups (or more) all-purpose flour 2 oz. Walnuts, finely chopped Combine the honey, granulated sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Combine the 1 pound finely chopped walnuts with 1/4 cup of the softened butter, 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon, and 5 tablespoons of the syrup. Reserve the remaining syrup and set the filling aside while you prepare the dough. Using an electric mixer, cream the remaining butter (1 cup) with the oil until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, beating on medium speed. Add the orange juice slowly to the batter, along with the Cognac or brandy, 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon, and the other spices. In a small bowl, sift the baking powder, soda, and 2 cups of the flour together. Slowly add the flour mixture to the batter and beat for a few minutes. Continuing to mix by hand, add only enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead. Break off small pieces of the dough and shape with your fingers into oblongs about 2-1/2-inches long and 1-inch high. Flatten between your palms and place 1 teaspoon of the filling mixture in the center. Work the dough around the filling to enclose it completely and press firmly to seal. This procedure sounds difficult, but with many hands it is quite simple. Place on a cookie sheet and continue until all the cakes are shaped. Bake in a moderate oven (350 F) for 25 minutes, then cool on a rack. Bring the syrup back to a boil. Dip each cake into the syrup and arrange on a platter. Sprinkle with the remaining chopped walnuts and teaspoon cinnamon, or more if desired. Cool before storing. Note: You may bake and cool melomakarona, store a few days in advance and dip in syrup as described above a day or so before serving. The flavor improves after a few days. Revani (Semolina - Almond Syrup Cake with Syrup) 20 servings 2-1/2 cups Granulated sugar 3 cups Cold water 1 cinnamon stick 3 Whole cloves 1 Orange (peel only) 1/2 lb. Sweet butter 6 Eggs; room temperature 1 cup All-purpose flour 1 cup Fine semolina 3 tsp. Baking powder 1 cup Finely chopped almonds * 1 tsp. Vanilla extract 2 Tbs. Brandy * Use blanched, peeled almonds. Combine 1-1/2 cups of the sugar with the cold water in a saucepan and cook until dissolved, then add the cinnamon stick, cloves, and orange peel and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the flavorings. Cool. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter in a large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add the remaining sugar, beating on medium speed, then add the eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition, without rushing. Meanwhile, sift the flour, semolina, baking powder, and almonds together. Very gradually add to the batter, beating on medium speed, then pour in the vanilla and brandy and give the batter a last whirl on high speed for a few seconds. Pour immediately into a buttered 9 x 12 x 3-inch cake pan and bake on the center rack of a moderate oven (350 F) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cake springs back when touched by a finger. Remove from the oven and set the pan on a cake rack. Using a sharp knife, score the cake into diamond shapes. Spoon the cooled syrup over the entire cake and cool. Note: Each piece may be attractively garnished with a candied or maraschino cherry slice in the center and almond slivers angled on each side.