Russian Tea Biscuits
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 c white flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 c sugar
- 1/2 c vegetable oil
- 1/4 c butter, melted
- 1/4 c orange juice
- 1 tsp orange peel (dried is fine)
- 4 eggs (reserve one egg white for topping)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 10 ounces jar raspberry jam
- 1 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans
- 2 cups raisins
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 c sugar
- 1 egg white (taken from eggs for dough)
Instructions
Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar) in a large bowl. In another bowl, mix oil, melted butter, orange juice and rind, vanilla, and eggs (4 yolks, 3 whites). Knead dough and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Mix cinnamon and sugar. Split dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 7 inches by 10 inches (just smaller than a piece of typing paper). Spread jam across all but a half-inch strip along one of the short sides. Sprinkle 1/3 cup walnuts and 1/2 cup raisins over dough, again leaving a half-inch strip. Roll up jelly-roll side from the other short side, using the empty strip to seal the roll. Brush top with reservered egg white, and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Repeat for other 3 piece of dough. Cut each roll into four slices, and place on lightly-greased (or parchment-papered) jelly-roll pan or baking sheet. (Use a pan with sides, since some jam may drip.) Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-35 minutes, until tops are nicely golden. Variations: Use other types of jam, nuts, and dried fruit. Use white or colored decorator's sugar in place of cinnamon-sugar mixture for a different look. Roll smaller for cookie-sized biscuits (reduce cooking time and watch carefully).
