Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Chai-Spiced Love Knots


Last month, Val at ValSoCal posted a recipe for Espresso Glazed Breadsticks that looked so delicious I couldn't wait to try them!  Rather than dipping them in an espresso glaze per her recipe, I decided to bake the espresso flavor right on them.  While I was thinking about how to do that, I decided to also do a Chai spin on the seasonings since I love Chai-spiced tea. I also turned my bread sticks into love knots for Valentine's Day :)  These are the perfect weekend treat paired with a hot cup of coffee, tea, Cappuccino - or milk. 


With my less-than-perfect 'Barista' skills I made a heart in my Capuccino.  The dunking was delicious!


The next time you have a morning to spread a little lovin', try these and thank you to Val for the inspiration!

Since there were several questions on how I made the heart outline in my cappuccino, I thought I'd answer here in my post as well as in the comments.  My method was certainly not the professional Barista way of doing it.  I took a toothpick and pulled the dark color from the outer "crema" ring of the espresso inward to the milk foam layer.  It took several attempts at getting bringing enough of the dark layer in to get the heart dark enough.  Here is a YouTube on how they really do it...



Chai-Spiced Bread Sticks

Adapted from Espresso Glazed Breadsticks at ValSoCal
Printable Recipe

1 can refrigerated bread sticks (such as Pillsbury)
6 tablespoons sugar (I used 5 tablespoons of regular granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon of coarse sparkling sugar)
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon vanilla paste or scrape 1/2 vanilla bean

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner.

Mix together the sugars and all of the seasonings with a fork until well combined.

Unroll dough and separate into strips and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle generously with sugar mixture. Pull and twist into pretzel shapes, if desired, or make simple twisted bread sticks and place on the lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the top with any remaining sugar.

Bake for 10 to 13 min or until golden on the edges. Remove and cool.

These are best eaten freshly baked,  the day they are made.

53 comments:

  1. Move over Dunkin' Donuts! These look delicious. I think they'll make a perfect Valentine's breakfast. Love the "heart" touch.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  2. How beautiful and delicious are these love knots! Love the combination of flavors! Sweet!

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  3. I am not a coffee drinker, but your cup sure looks tempting. I pinned this one and I think it will be a hit; making it very soon.
    Rita

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  4. What an invention! I have a new espresso machine--these knots will be the perfect touch!

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  5. Yummy...I LOVE chai tea, so I'm sure I'd love these love knots & they're so easy, too!! xoxo

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  6. How lovely love knots ! A warm hug...

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  7. They look delicious. Perfect with a nice cup of cappuccino! I think you did a fine job with your barista skills, looks great! How'd you do that?

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  8. How you got the HEART is beyond me..But then again it is you:)~

    These are adorable..and PINNED!!!

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  9. The breadsticks sound great and the cappuccino looks amazing Susan, love the foam art-enjoy:@)

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  10. They have to be good, cardamom is one of the ingredients! Yum...

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  11. Very pretty...the heart turned out so well! Sounds pretty tasty, too.

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  12. Yummy...these look sooo delicious! Thanks for the recipe! Luv

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  13. that picture is really beautiful, the knots look divine and it is such a great way to have breakfast on V-day

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  14. I love chai, and this sounds delicious and simple. Will make such a cute treat for Valentine's Day.

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  15. That sounds too easy - thanks! I'm trying to imagine a chai flavoured bread - I'm going to give it a try.

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  16. Love that creative twist on the basic breadsticks! I'd say you have a barista future as well, that heart looks too cute!

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  17. They look & sound delicious! Your barista skills are pretty prefect to me :)

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  18. Count me among the chai tea lovers, too...I just wrote "breadsticks" on my grocery list so I could try making these.

    I'm impressed with your foamy heart & haven't a clue as to how you did that. I wonder if there are youtube videos showing how to make one? Off to investigate!

    Thanks for sharing the recipe, Susan. You always come up with creative & unusual ideas.

    fondly,
    Rett

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  19. I made chai cupcakes last night and can't get the flavor out of my head! These are definitely a need-to-try.

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  20. Thank you, everyone! All I did to make the heart outline in my cappuccino was to take a toothpick and pull the dark, outer 'crema' ring from the espresso in toward the milk foam layer. It took several attempts to get enough of the dark color to make it visible. This is nothing like how the real baristas do it. Just Google Latte Art. I'll add one of the you tubes to the bottom of my post today.

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  21. Who could knot love those. Beautiful!

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  22. All of the warm spices make these love knots so enticing. You must have been bouncing off the walls following multiple attempts to create that heart. So worth it though.

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  23. Just wanted to let you know I bought breadsticks today so I can make these for my sweetie on Valentines Day morning. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary!!

    Thanks again & thanks for the explanation on how to make the heart. I may try it now!!!!

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  24. I love the chai spices! These would be a wonderful breakfast for my valentine and me. :)

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  25. these look amazing and adore your cappuccino

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  26. These look like a perfect Valentines Day treat. Love the heart in the whipped cream. So fun!

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  27. These love knots are so pretty and lovely! And I love your coffee cup too.

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  28. These look so delicious and wonderful for a breakfast, brunch or snack! Thanks for sharing your recipe and that entertaining video - what talent!

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  29. My ex's mom had those dishes. Whenever I see them I think of all the good food I ate from them... sort of gets the salivary glands working! Delish looking twists. I love all those flavors and nice touch with the heart... those baristas are amazing when they do feathers and such.. how do they do it, it always stuns me even when I watch them do it!!!

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  30. Oh wow! I'm so impressed. I love chai tea and that was so clever of you to bake it all right in

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  31. What a wonderful idea for a Valentine's treat. I would love to try the breadsticks. Tahnks again for sharing such interesting recipes!

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  32. Love the love knots. Perfect for any day.

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  33. Perfect any time of day. I'm thinking a cinnamon sugar version would be great too.

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  34. Once again, delicious Susan! Your baking is always not just baking, it is a feast for the eye first! These love knots are as beautiful as I am sure they are delicious...your Chéri of 38 years will be a happy man this Valentine..
    Ronelle

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  35. There is a barista in Seattle that does squirrels in his latte designs. Love it. These love knots would be the perfect accompaniment.

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  36. Oh my, if only I could reach through the screen and have one of these!!! YUM

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  37. Oh, I love chai. I'm so happy that you decided to join Seasonal Sundays. Hope you'll be here next week too!

    - The Tablescaper

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  38. The breadsticks are so full of flavours, definitely want to try this out.

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  39. Thank you so much everyone! Rett, I do hope you and your hubby enjoy them. Be careful not to over bake them like I did with my first batch.

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  40. These would be a perfect Vday breakfast treat or even great for Mother's day, need to try them soon!!

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  41. I'm smiling! Those are not only adorable, but I'd love those flavors.

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  42. Oh I love Chai tea so I know I'd love these sweet knots! Your foam heart looks wonderful. Happy Valentine's Day!

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  43. Totally creative and totally cool. You definitely have Barista skills.

    Happy Valentine's Day to you.

    Velva

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  44. Very pretty china. The knots look delicous.
    Have a nice week.

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  45. Susan, these love knots are perfect to start the day...so tasty and gorgeous.
    Happy Valentine's Day :)

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  46. These combine so many perfect flavors! Would love this treat with my morning latte for sure!

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  47. You always take the best pictures of your food. These look delicious, and the heart is too cute! Thanks so much for continuing to come to the Your Cozy Home Party each week.

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  48. What a perfect treat for a cold and rainy Sunday morning. How yummy to dunk the knots into that rich and creamy cappuccino. I think your barista skills are first rate, Susan.

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  49. These are just delightful! The aroma must be incredible and I adore all of these spices...love these!

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