Holiday Twistys
Festive twisty pastries featuring red and green sugar crystals, offering a sweet, buttery flavor with a fun, twisted shape perfect for holiday gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine flour, dry yeast, and baking soda; set aside.
- Heat buttermilk, shortening, sugar, and salt until warm, stirring constantly.
- Add dry ingredients to the warm mixture.
- Add egg and beat at low speed for 30 seconds.
- Scrape the bowl and beat for 3 minutes at high speed.
- Stir in 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of flour, enough to make a moderately stiff dough.
- Turn onto a floured board and knead 5 times.
- Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide the dough in half.
- Roll each half into a 14 x 6-inch rectangle.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of butter and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of red sugar crystals over one rectangle.
- Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise.
- Cut into 14 (1-inch) strips.
- Twist each strip and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
To achieve a perfect texture, ensure your buttermilk is warm but not hot, as overheating can kill the yeast. If you don't have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for 5 minutes. For a festive touch, consider adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough, similar to what you might find in a Sweet Potato-Cranberry Nutbread.
Serving Suggestions
These Holiday Twistys are delightful on their own or served with a warm cup of coffee or tea. They also pair beautifully with a light fruit salad or even a sweet dip like Minnesota Cake Frosting for a fun twist. Consider serving them alongside a festive breakfast spread featuring dishes like Breakfast Crumb Cake to elevate your holiday gathering.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Holiday Twistys in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them by placing them in a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, simply warm them in an oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes until they are heated through and regain their crispness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Holiday Twistys contains roughly 242 calories, with 2g protein, 16g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 929mg per serving (40% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh yeast instead of dry yeast?
Yes, you can substitute fresh yeast for dry yeast. Use about three times the amount of fresh yeast as dry yeast. Activate it in warm buttermilk before mixing it with the other ingredients to ensure proper rising.
What can I do if my dough is too sticky?
If your dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour, a tablespoon at a time, while kneading until you reach a moderately stiff consistency. Be careful not to add too much flour at once, as this can make the dough tough.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance. After kneading, let it rise until doubled, then cover it tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).