Cinnamon Pecan Spirals

Cinnamon Pecan Spirals

6 tablespoons sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough

1/2 cup nuts, chopped

zest of one orange, optional

Preheat oven to 400. Combine 6 tablespoons sugar and 1 ¼ teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl. Melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Unfold 1 thawed sheet frozen puff pastry dough. Lightly brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Press into dough. Flip dough and repeat. Roll to 11 by 16 inch rectangle. Toss ½ cup pecans with zest of 1 orange and sprinkle half of mixture into dough, covering surface. Fold dough in half to 11 by 8 rectangle. Press remaining nut mixture into dough, covering surface. Starting from a long side, roll into a tight log. Trim edges. Wrap in plastic and chill for 20 minutes. Cut log into 1/3 inch slices. Place 2 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes.

Makes 30 spirals.

My boys love these. In a pinch, I've used canned crescent rolls in place of the puff pastry dough. You can make up the recipe in advance so you don't spend an hour or so putting it together when you are already hungry! If prepared ahead, just treat 'em like cookies...slice and bake!