Maple Pecan Cinnamon Swirls

It’s another snowy, ice rain kind of day here in Ontario. I sure hope Winter will not stick around for too much longer ;))

In Switzerland you will find a pastry called Nusschnecken, a cinnamon bun style pastry filled with ground hazelnuts or almonds and are pretty flat compared to a traditional cinnamon bun. I think this is the first time I’ve tried copying the shape and I really liked how it turned out. Filled with ground pecans, maple syrup, orange zest and a touch of cinnamon-so good!

 

 

Maple Pecan Cinnamon Swirls

Ingredients:

• 400 g white spelt flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp quick instant yeast
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 80 g butter, melted (+ 80 g melted butter for brushing dough)
• 250 ml warm milk

Filling:

• 300 g ground pecans
• 5 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 organic orange, zest only
• 200 ml milk

-For dough: In a large mixing bowl or your standard mixer, combine flour, salt and yeast, add melted butter, honey and warm milk. Knead to form a soft dough. Cover and let rise at room temperature for about 1 hour or double in size.

-For filling: Mix all ingredients together, set aside.

-Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

-On a floured surface roll dough out thinly into a large rectangle. Brush with the melted butter, ( leave some for brushing the swirls before baking). Spread the filling evenly onto dough. Starting from the longer side, roll dough up tightly. Cut into 2 cm thin swirls/buns. Lay onto prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between. Brush with remaining melted butter, let rise another 15 minutes. Bake in preheated 350F/180C oven for 40 minutes or until golden brown.

-I brushed the warm swirls with a maple butter and orange icing. You can use a regular icing if desired (icing sugar and orange juice).

-Makes about 25 swirls.

-Ground hazelnuts, almonds, or walnuts can be used instead of pecans.

 

Have a wonderful week!

Ursula

 

 

 

 

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Swiss Leek Quiche / Lauchwaehe

Quiches are one of my favorite things to eat- sweet or savory.  Now for us the sweet ones are more for dessert, but I grew up having sweet quiches for a meal ; )

We usually make a leek, onion, cheese, spinach, or my kids favorite, a meat quiche. Serve with a tossed salad and you have a lovely meal!

 

 

Leek Quiche

Quick and easy pastry:

• 250 g spelt flour
• 2 tbsp canola or olive oil, or 80 g butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 5 – 6 tbsp warm water

-In a medium bowl mix the flour, salt and baking powder, add oil and water, stirring until smooth dough forms, adding water if needed. Chill in refrigerator for 30 min.

Leek filling:

• 3 large leek stalks, finely sliced
• 150 g bacon cut into small pieces
• 1 tsp sea salt
• pepper to taste
• big pinch of nutmeg
• 100 ml milk or cream
• 2 eggs

-In a large saucepan fry bacon until crispy, drain excess fat. Add finely cut leek, season with salt and pepper, cover and let cook on low heat for about 30 min, stirring occasionally. Add nutmeg and add more salt and pepper if needed.

-Whisk together milk and eggs and mix under the leek mixture. Remove from heat.

-Grease a 9-inch pie or tart form. Preheat oven to 375 F.

-Roll out dough to fit into the prepared tart form. Prick bottom with a fork. Add the leek filling and bake for about 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

-Enjoy warm or cold.

Tip: Can be made vegan, leaving out the bacon and eggs. Replace spelt flour with all-purpose or whole wheat flour.

Find more tart recipes here:

Plum Tart / Zwetschgenwaehe

Peach Tart

 

Enjoy!

Ursula

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thurgauer Apfeltorte

Happy weekend everyone!

It has been a busy but wonderful last few weeks, with my mom and stepdad visiting. It was a special gift for my daughter to be here for her high school commencement, which was a lovely evening full of joy, pride and maybe a few happy tears! We were also able to celebrate my moms birthday, this was the first time in 20 years! We just never visited each other during fall. Living so far apart makes it difficult to see each other for every birthday or other celebrations. It was very special and meant a lot to all of us.

The weather was not always so great, lots of rain and chilly winds and this week humid hot days that now turned into a cold and frosty weekend. Over the last two weeks we could really see how the leaves are changing colour and showcasing a beautiful indian summer. 

We made this traditional Swiss apple cake, Thurgauer Apfeltorte, which means it is a recipe from the Canton of Thurgau. A simple but very delicious apple cake made with fresh, local apples.

 

Thurgauer Apfeltorte

• 150 g butter, soft
• 150 ml maple syrup
• 1 organic lemon, zest and juice
• pinch salt
• 3 eggs
• 150 g spelt flour or unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 apples, peeled, cored, cut in half
• 3 tbsp coconut sugar

 

-Line the bottom of a 24 cm Springform pan with parchment paper, grease and flour the sides. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.

-Whisk together the butter, maple syrup, half of the lemon juice, lemon zest and salt. Add eggs one at the time, mixing well.

-Peel apples, cut in half, remove core and cut in thinly but not all the way through. Mix with half of the lemon juice and coconut sugar, set aside.

-Add the flour and baking powder and mix until well combined. Pour into prepared baking pan. Top with the apples and bake for about 45 minutes or until cake is golden brown and tester comes out clean.

-Let cool completely, dust with some icing sugar if desired.

-Tip: Cane sugar can be used instead of the maple syrup and coconut sugar–

 

Visit my Instagram page for more pictures including our trip to Niagara Falls!  littleswisslittlecanadian

 

Enjoy!

Ursula