Bonus = Bahamas + A Holiday Treat!

Well, we are officially headed to the Bahamas in February! Thanks to a lovely year-end bonus from my firm, I was able to purchase our flights to Florida today- woo who! Also, since I received quite the monetary Christmas gift from my firm, I'm considering spending it on a new "grown-up" camera. It would be wonderful to capture the colors of the island with something other than a Cool Pix digital.

Anyway, along with this news comes a favorite holiday treat recipe. You may have an NYE party to attend, or perhaps you're hosting a New Year's Day brunch? Either way, this delectable Almond Tea Bread is sure to make you the talk of whatever shindig you're attending! My mom only makes this at Christmas and we usually give it to people as gifts around the holidays. I have taken up this tradition since moving to Seattle and actually, it was the reason I purchased my pink Kitchen Aid handmixer in the first place :)

You will need the following:

Sugar, Flour, Baking Powder, Almond Extract, Vanilla Extract,

Poppyseeds, Butter Flavoring

Also, not shown, Orange Juice and Milk

First:

Cream together the following:

2 1/4 cups sugar; 3 eggs; 1 1/8 cup oil

Second:

In a separate bowl sift together the following:

3 cups flour; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Then . . .

Pour the contents from the flour mixture into the first bowl,

alternate pouring and mixing the flour mixture in with 1 1/2 cups milk

Then Add . . .

1 1/2 tblsp poppy seeds; 1 1/2 tsp almond extract;

1 1/2 tsp butter flavoring; 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

MIX WELL.

Lastly . . . .

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and pour the batter into small bread loaf pans.

The above recipe will make 1 large loaf and 2 small loafs or 4 small loafs.

Bake the bread for 50 minutes (or until golden brown)

Sometimes the bread is done before 50 minutes,

so be sure to stick a toothpick in the top prior to removing

from the oven to make sure it is cooked all the way.

While the bread is cooking . . . make the glaze that will go on top of the bread:

3/4 cup sugar; 1/4 cup orange juice; 1/2 tsp. almond extract;

1/2 tsp butter flavoring; 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

When the bread is done . . . .

Let cool; Remove from pans and set on sheet of foil

When bread is still just slightly warm, glaze the with the orange juice mixture:

Use a marinade brush. Glaze the top and the four sides.

Wrap immediately in foil and place in freezer.

The bread will remain good as long as it is frozen. When ready to eat, take out

30-40 minutes prior to serving so it can defrost a bit.

 I hope you enjoy this treat as much

as my family has!