About Texas Nut Shellers

Mudslide Brownies

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Mudslide-Brownies
Yummy ingredients from the popular drink–chocolate, espresso, and whipping cream–make a splash in these decadent bars filled with chopped pecans and garnished wtih chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Ingredients

  • 6 (1-oz.) unsweetened chocolate baking squares
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 4 teaspoons espresso powder, divided (we tested with Café Bustello)
  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 tsp. coffee liqueur, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons whipping cream or half-and-half
  • 2 tablespoons vodka
  • 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • Garnish: chocolate-covered espresso coffee beans, chopped

Preparation

  1. Melt 4 chocolate baking squares and 1/2 cup butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, and transfer to a large bowl. Add sugars; stir well. Stir in eggs, 2 teaspoon espresso powder, and 2 teaspoon coffee liqueur. Add flour and salt, stirring until blended. Stir in pecans.
  2. Spread batter into a lightly greased aluminum foil-lined 13″ x 9″ pan (or see note). Bake at 325° for 20 to 25 minutes or until brownies appear set on top. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
  3. Melt remaining 2 chocolate baking squares and 2 Tbsp. butter in heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in remaining 2 tsp. espresso powder, whipping cream, vodka, and remaining 2 Tbsp. coffee liqueur. Add enough powdered sugar to make a good spreading consistency, beating at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled brownies; garnish, if desired. Let stand until frosting is set. Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of the pan. Cut into bars to serve.

Note: For really thick, showy brownies, we baked these in an 11″ x 7″ pan at 325° for 26 to 28 minutes.
Note:

If you prefer not to add any alcohol to this dessert, you can use sweetened coffee Instead of the coffee liqueur and omit the vokda.

Double Chocolate Brownies With Caramel Frosting

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Double-Chocolate-Brownies-with-Caramel-Frosting

Ingredients

  • 2 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
  • 2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup chopped, toasted pecans
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 12 large marshmallows
  • 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation

  1. Microwave chocolate squares in a small microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) for 30-second intervals until melted (about 1 1/2 minutes total time). Stir chocolate until smooth.
  2. Beat 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add melted chocolate, beating just until blended.
  3. Add flour and salt, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in vanilla, 1/2 cup pecans, and 1/2 cup chocolate morsels. Spread batter into a greased and floured 13- x 9-inch baking pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup pecans and 1/4 cup chocolate morsels.
  4. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until set. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. Melt 3/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir in 2 cups sugar, buttermilk, marshmallows, corn syrup, and baking soda. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 20 to 25 minutes or until a candy thermometer registers 234° (soft-ball stage). Remove from heat, and pour mixture immediately into a large mixing bowl. Beat mixture with an electric mixer at high speed 5 minutes or until mixture thickens and begins to lose its gloss. Spread Caramel Frosting evenly over brownies.

[B “Note:”] Freeze brownies in an airtight container up to 1 month.

Cheese Straw Sampler

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Cheese-Straw-Sampler
Wrap these savory bites in a fabric-lined 9-inch × 4 1/2-inch box. Make dividers out of corrugated paper or lightweight cardboard.

Recipes

Olive-Blue Moons

Olive-Blue Moons

Ingredients

  •  (6-oz.) can Spanish olives, drained and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
  • 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1 (6-oz. 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • ) can Spanish olives, drained and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Beat Cheddar cheese, olives, butter, blue cheese, half-and-half, and salt at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, beating just until combined.
  3. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. Divide dough into 2 equal portions, and flatten each into a disk; roll each to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with a 2 1/2-inch moon-shaped cutter. Place dough 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden; cool on baking sheets on wire racks 30 minutes.

Bacon-Smoked Paprika-Cheddar Bars

Bacon-Smoked-Paprika-Cheddar-Bars
In these savory bites of Bacon-Smoked Paprika-Cheddar Bars, sharp cheddar cheese gets a warming welcome from the smokey flavors of bacon and paprika.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened1 tablespoon half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 cooked and crumbled applewood-smoked bacon slices
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Beat cheese, butter, half-and-half, and salt at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, bacon, paprika, and ground red pepper, beating just until combined.
3. Turn out onto a well-floured surface. Divide into 2 equal portions; flatten each into a square. Roll out each square to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 2 1/2- x 3/4-inch strips, using a fluted pastry wheel. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden; cool on baking sheets on wire racks 30 minutes.

Pecan-Rosemary-Cheddar Buttons

Pecan-Rosemary-Cheddar-Buttons

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chopped toasted pecans
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Beat cheese, butter, half-and-half, and salt at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, pecans, and rosemary, beating just until combined.
  3. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. Divide into 4 equal portions, and flatten each into a disk; roll each disk to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with a 2-inch round cutter. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
  4. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden; cool on baking sheets on wire racks 30 minutes.

Pimiento Cheese Squares

Pimiento-Cheese-Squares
We take the flavors of the South’s favorite spread and make into savory bites of Pimiento Cheese Squares–perfect for parties or gifts

Ingredients

  • 1 (4-ounces) jar diced pimiento
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Drain pimiento; pat dry with paper towels, and finely chop. Stir ground mustard and ground red pepper into flour. Gradually add chopped pimiento to flour mixture, tossing to coat.
  3. Beat cheese, butter, and salt at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating just until combined.
  4. Turn out onto a well-floured surface. Divide into 2 equal portions; flatten each into a square. Roll each square to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with a 1 1/2-inch square cutter. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes; cool on baking sheets on wire racks 30 minutes.

Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars

Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar-Stars Parmesan-Basil-Cheddar Stars shine with fresh basil flavor with every pop of these savory bites.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.
  2. Beat Cheddar cheese, butter, half-and-half, and salt at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and basil, beating just until combined.
  3. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. Divide into 4 equal portions, and flatten each into a disk; roll to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with a 1 1/2-inch star-shaped cutter. Place 1 inch apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake 11 to 14 minutes or until golden; cool on baking sheets on wire racks 30 minutes.

Cranberry-Apple Pie with Pecan Shortbread Crust

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Cranberry-Apple-Pie-with-Pecan-Shortbread-Crust
Savor the flavors of cranberries and apples as they come together with a holiday favorite—pecan shortbread—in this stunning presentation.

Crust Ingredients

  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Filling Ingredients

  • 3 pounds Gala apples
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Garnishes: Toasted pecan halves, powdered sugar

Preparation

  1. Prepare Crust: Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool completely (about 20 minutes).
  2. Meanwhile, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer 1 minute or until creamy; add powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually add flour, beating at low speed until mixture is no longer crumbly and starts to come together into a ball. Stir in pecans. Shape one-third of dough into an 8-inch log; wrap in plastic wrap, and chill until ready to use. Press remaining dough on bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Cover and chill crust.
  3. Prepare Filling: Peel apples. Cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges. Toss together apples and next 4 ingredients. Spoon mixture into prepared crust. Drizzle with melted butter.
  4. Cut reserved dough log into 8 (1-inch) pieces. Gently shape each piece into a 6- to 8-inch rope. Lightly press each rope to flatten into strips. Arrange strips in a lattice design over filling.
  5. Bake at 350° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until juices are thick and bubbly, crust is golden brown, and apples are tender when pierced with a long wooden pick, shielding with foil during last 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Remove sides of pan.

Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing

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image

Ingredients

  • 1 (1/4-oz.) envelope active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 4 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup bread flour
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup very soft butter
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • Cream Cheese Icing

Preparation

  1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a 1-cup glass measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes.
  2. Beat 1/2 cup softened butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tsp. salt, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs and next 2 ingredients, beating until blended. Stir in yeast mixture.
  3. Combine 4 1/2 cups bread flour and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed 1 to 2 minutes or until well blended.
  4. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup bread flour onto a flat surface; turn dough out, and knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes), adding up to 1/4 cup bread flour as needed to prevent dough from sticking to hands and surface. Place dough in a lightly greased large bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
  5. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
  6. Punch dough down; turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 16- x 12-inch rectangle. Spread with 1/2 cup very soft butter, leaving a 1-inch border around edges. Stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and sprinkle sugar mixture over butter.
  7. Top with pecans. Roll up dough, jelly-roll fashion, starting at 1 long side; cut into 16 slices (about 1 inch thick).
  8. Place rolls, cut sides down, in 2 lightly greased 10-inch round pans. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85º), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
  9. Bake at 350° for 20 to 22 minutes or until rolls are golden brown. Cool in pans 5 minutes. Brush rolls with Cream Cheese Icing. Serve immediately.

Cream Cheese Icing

Keep this recipe for Cream Cheese Icing as your go-to icing recipe. You can put it together in 10 minutes, and it’s a perfect topping for sweet rolls, breads, cupcakes, and cakes.

Ingredients

  • 1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Preparation

  1. Beat first 2 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
  2. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended.
  3. Stir in vanilla and 1 Tablespoon milk.
  4. Add remaining 1 Tbsp. milk, 1 teaspoon. at a time, stirring until icing is smooth and creamy.

TRY THESE TWISTS!

Apple-Cinnamon Rolls: Prepare as directed through Step 5. Peel and chop 2 Granny Smith apples (about 3 cups). Place apples in a microwave-safe bowl, and pour 1 cup apple cider over apples. Microwave at HIGH 5 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool 15 minutes. Proceed as directed, sprinkling apples over sugar mixture in Step 6 before topping with pecans. Hands-on time: 30 min.; Total time: 4 hr., including icing.

Chocolate-Cinnamon Rolls: Prepare as directed through Step 6. Chop 2 (4-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking bars; sprinkle over sugar mixture. Proceed as directed. Hands-on time: 35 min.; Total time: 3 hr., 40 min., including icing.

Cranberry-Cinnamon Rolls: Prepare as directed through Step 5. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 cup dried cranberries; let stand 15 minutes. Drain cranberries. Proceed as directed, sprinkling cranberries over sugar mixture in Step 6.

Pumpkin Pie Spectacular

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Pumpkin-Pie-Spectacular
This gorgeous pie will win first prize on any dessert buffet. Make it for Thanksgiving with the family or a special night in. The pie crust garnishes add a decorative flair.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 5 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 4 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed, cooked sweet potatoes
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Praline Topping
  • Garnishes: coarsely chopped Pecan Pie-Glazed Pecans, fresh sage leaves

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 325°. Stir together first 4 ingredients in a bowl until well blended. Press mixture on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
  2. Beat cream cheese and next 2 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended and smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add sweet potatoes and lemon juice, beating until blended. Pour batter into prepared crust. (Pan will be very full.)
  3. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until almost set. Turn oven off. Let cheesecake stand in oven, with door closed, 15 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven, and gently run a knife around outer edge of cheesecake to loosen from sides of pan. (Do not remove sides of pan.) Cool completely on a wire rack (about 1 hour). Cover and chill 8 to 24 hours.
  4. Remove sides and bottom of pan, and transfer cheesecake to a serving plate. Prepare Praline Topping; immediately pour slowly over top of cheesecake, spreading to within 1/4 inch of edge. Garnish, if desired.