Otak's Ingredients for Holiday Cheer!

Ingredients for Holiday Cheer!

- SHARING OUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS THROUGH FOOD, DRINKS, AND MUSIC -

- A Message from Otak’s Executive Team This holiday season, Otak is capping off a successful year by sharing the traditions that bring our staff together with their families and loved ones. Whether it be in the form of a dish, a drink, or a song, these Otakian Ingredients for Holiday Cheer are creations born out of love for our communities at home and at work.

With immense gratitude to our teams, our clients, our partners, and our friends – we are excited to share a few things that never fail to get us into the holiday spirit, all while celebrating the people who make it possible.

We’re also spreading seasonal cheer through donations to organizations in the communities we’re a part of - we encourage you to learn more about them and get involved!

• Boys and Girls Club, King County • Children’s Hospital of Colorado • Community Food Share

• Friends of the Children, SW Washington

Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership

• Hopelink

• National Park Foundation

• Lift Urban Portland

• Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

Happy Holidays from Otak!

Contents Our Favorite Holiday Dishes

• Sausage & White Cheddar Pinwheels............................................... 2 • Christmas Eve Fondue............................................................................... 3 • Roasted Beets n’ Sweets...........................................................................4 • Bacon, Goat Cheese, & Caramelized Onion Stuffed Mushrooms...................................................................................... 5 • Christmas Breakfast Casserole..............................................................6 • Butter Beef Spring Rolls............................................................................7 • Pulla Yeast Coffee Bread...........................................................................8 • Pumpkin Bread..............................................................................................9 • Pretzel Turtles................................................................................................10 • Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles....................................................... 11 • Cool Raspberry Soup................................................................................. 12 • Kelly’s Cranberry Bars............................................................................... 13 • Butter Pecan Bars.......................................................................................14 • Pistachio Cookies........................................................................................ 15 • Aunt Debbie’s Chocolate Chip Cookies.......................................... 16 • Black Russian Cake ................................................................................... 17 • Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake............................................................... 18 • Old-Fashioned Apple Cake.................................................................... 19

Our Favorite Holiday Drinks

• Wintertime Cocoa...................................................................................... 20 • Egg Nog............................................................................................................ 21 • Holiday-tini...................................................................................................... 21 • Swedish Glögg (mulled wine)............................................................. 22 • Grapefruit & Sage Champagne Cocktail....................................... 23 • Caramel Apple Martini............................................................................ 23

• Frozen Cranberry Margarita................................................................. 24 • Spiced Apple Cider Margarita............................................................. 24 • Tom & Jerry.................................................................................................... 25 • Hot Buttered Rum..................................................................................... 26 • The Whiskey Nut......................................................................................... 27 • Bourbon Slush.............................................................................................. 27

Deck the Halls!

• The Otak Holiday Playlist....................................................................... 28

Our Favorite Holiday Dishes From savory to sweet, enjoy the delectable delicacies you can find in Otakian kitchens spanning generations of home cooking!

Sausage & White Cheddar Pinwheels Serves: 20 | Hands-on: 15 min. | Total: 3 hrs.

From the kitchen of

Heather Whitman Marketing Coordinator

Ingredients • 1 lb. mild ground pork sausage • ½ (17.3-oz.) pkg frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

• ½ cup chopped scallions • 2 oz. white cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions Step 1: Unroll the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Spread the sausage over the puff pastry sheet, leaving a 1” border on all sides.

Step 4: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Using a serrated knife, slice the roll into about 20 ½”-thick slices. Place slices on a greased baking sheet.

Step 2: Sprinkle the sausage with the scallions and cheese. Roll up the pastry sheet with sausage mixture, jelly-roll fashion, starting at long side of rectangle.

Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is golden and the sausage is cooked through, 40-45 min.

Step 3: Wrap the sausage and pastry roll in plastic wrap and freeze 2 hrs. (The roll may be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw until just able to slice with a serrated knife before proceeding with the recipe.)

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Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Christmas Eve Fondue From the kitchen of

Julia Monroe Graphic Designer

Directions Step 1: In a small bowl, coat the shredded cheeses with cornstarch and set aside.

Step 2: Rub the inside of a fondue pot with the garlic clove, then discard.

Step 3: Over medium heat, add the wine and lemon juice to the fondue pot and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Gradually stir the cheese into the simmering liquid with a whisk.

(Melting the cheese gradually encourages a smooth fondue.)

Step 5: Once smooth, stir in cherry brandy, mustard, and nutmeg.

Ingredients • ½ lb. Swiss cheese, shredded • ½ lb. Gruyere cheese, shredded • 2 Tbsp cornstarch • 1 garlic clove, peeled • 1 cup dry white wine

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice • 1 Tbsp cherry brandy, such as kirsch • ½ tsp dry mustard • Pinch of nutmeg • Assorted dippers • A fondue pot

Step 7: Serve with chunks of sourdough or pumpernickel rye bread. (Granny Smith apples and blanched vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and asparagus are also good.)

Step 8: Spear with fondue forks or wooden skewers, dip, swirl, and enjoy!

Step 6: Find just the right setting on the fondue pot to keep the cheese warm and creamy while you eat.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

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Roasted Beets n’ Sweets From the kitchen of

Emmy Haveman Pursuit Manager

Directions Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Step 2: Toss beets with ½ tsp olive oil to coat in bowl. Spread single layer on a baking sheet.

Step 3: Mix remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar in a large plastic bag. Place sweet potatoes and onion in the bag. Seal the bag and shake to coat.

Step 4: Bake beets in the preheated oven for 15 min. Mix sweet potato mixture with beets on the baking sheet.

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Ingredients • 6 medium beets (peeled and cut into chunks) • 2 ½ Tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground black pepper • 1 tsp sugar • 3 medium sweet potatoes (cut into chunks) • 1 large sweet onion

Step 5: Continue baking, stirring after 20 min., until all the vegetables are tender, approximately 45 min. Enjoy! note: I usually roast my beets beforehand and let them cool and peel. Or you can get fresh beets already peeled and cut at your local grocery.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

“ This recipe is my secret weapon!”

- MANDY FLETT

Bacon, Goat Cheese, & Caramelized Onion Stuffed Mushrooms Hands-on: 30 min. | Total: 50 min.

From the kitchen of

Mandy Flett Project Controller

Directions

Ingredients • 2 lbs. button or • 8 oz. cream cremini mushrooms cheese • 8-9 slices bacon • 6-8 oz. soft • 4-5 Tbsp caramelized goat cheese sweet onions, minced • 1 small bunch (I caramelize onions in chives, minced the slow cooker.) (optional)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Step 2: Clean mushrooms well. Lay them out to dry while you prep the other ingredients so that you don’t end up with watery stuffed mushrooms.

Step 3: Separate mushroom stems from caps and finely chop the stems.

Step 4: Cook bacon until crisp, allow to cool, then crumble into small pieces.

Step 5: Sauté mushroom stems in bacon fat or fat/oil of choice on medium heat until soft, 5-10 min.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Step 6: Season cooked stems with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Combine cream cheese, goat cheese, caramelized onions, crumbled bacon and 4-5 Tbsp of the sautéed stems (and chives if using) in a bowl.

Step 8: Stuff caps generously.

Step 9: Place evenly spaced in a baking dish or on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 min. or until caps are browned and filling is browned on top and melted inside.

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Christmas Breakfast Casserole From the kitchen of

Amanda Owings Business Unit Leader, Transportation & Infrastructure

Directions Step 1: Butter a 9”x13” pan or rectangular roasting dish.

Step 2: Mix together flour and dry mustard; set aside.

Step 3: Beat together eggs and milk until foamy; set aside.

Step 4: In prepared dish, build two layers with ingredients. Start the first layer with half of the bread, followed by half of the ham, then half of the cheese.

Step 5: Sprinkle with half of the flour/ mustard mixture.

Step 6: Drizzle with half of the melted butter across the top.

Step 7: Repeat for the final layer.

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Ingredients • 8 slices thick French • 3 Tbsp flour bread, cut into • 1 Tbsp dry ½”-1” cubes mustard • 3 cups cooked ham, • 3 Tbsp melted cut into ½” cubes butter, unsalted • ¾ lbs. grated • 6 eggs cheddar cheese • 3 cups milk, • ½ cup grated cheddar unsweetened cheese, separated Step 8: Pour egg mixture evenly over contents of dish. Then sprinkle additional ½ cup of grated cheese on top.

Step 9: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Step 10: In the morning, remove plastic wrap. Bake uncovered in preheated oven at 350°F for 60-90 min. Top should be golden brown and knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 11: Cut into squares; serve warm. Enjoy!

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Butter Beef Spring Rolls Serves: 4 From the kitchen of

Jessica Nguyen Marketing Coordinator

Directions Step 1: Cook the vermicelli rice noodles according to the package.

Step 2: While the noodles are cooking, add a portion of the butter, sliced beef, enoki mushrooms, and onions to a large pan. Cook on medium-high heat until the sliced beef is cooked to your desired doneness and until the other ingredients are cooked.

Step 3: Repeat this step until all of the sliced beef, enoki mushrooms, and onions are cooked.

Step 4: While the sliced beef and other ingredients are cooking in the pan, prep the romaine lettuce, Persian cucumbers, and fish sauce. To make the fish sauce, mix the garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, chili garlic sauce, sugar, and water until well combined.

Step 5: Once all ingredients are prepped, begin assembling your spring rolls. Dip your rice paper in warm water. Add some rice noodles, a couple slices of beef, enoki mushrooms, romaine lettuce, some cucumbers, and onions to your rice paper.

Begin rolling everything together, folding in each side of the rice paper halfway through.

Roll the rice paper until you reach the end.

Step 6: Repeat this step until you have made your desired number of spring rolls.

Step 7: Serve the spring rolls with the fish sauce and enjoy!

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients For the Spring Rolls: • 1 pack of rice paper • 1 lb. thinly sliced beef, seasoned with • 1 pkg vermicelli salt and pepper rice noodles (I personally use For the Fish Sauce: shabu shabu • 3 cloves garlic style sliced beef.) minced • 4 Tbsp butter • 3

Tbsp fish sauce • 1 pkg of Enoki • 2 Tbsp lime juice mushrooms • 1 tsp chili • 1 medium yellow garlic sauce onion, sliced • 2 Tbsp • 1 head of romaine granulated sugar lettuce, cut into thirds (horizontally • ½ cup water sliced) • 3-4 Persian cucumbers, cut into thin strips (lengthwise) tips: This recipe can easily be customized!

Other things you can put in your spring rolls are salmon, shrimp, and bok choy.

The key to making spring rolls is making sure the water isn’t too cold or too hot when you dip your rice paper, so that’s why warm water is the way to go! If it’s too cold, the rice paper will be too hard; if it’s too hot, it’ll be too soft.

You want to dip your rice paper enough that it’s still somewhat firm because it will soften as you roll it. Because of this, you also want to work quickly before the rice paper gets too soft!

My favorite way of cooking sliced beef is when it’s caramelized and has a little char on it.

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Pulla Yeast Coffee Bread From the kitchen of

Ryne Knudson Website Coordinator

Directions Step 1: Dissolve the yeast in the warm water.

Step 2: Stir in the milk, sugar, salt, cardamom, eggs, and enough flour to make a batter (~2 cups).

Step 3: Beat until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 4: Add about 3 cups of the flour and beat well, the dough should be quite smooth and glossy in appearance.

Step 5: Add the melted butter and stir in well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until a stiff dough forms.

Step 6: Turn out onto a lightly floured board and cover with an inverted mixing bowl. Let the dough rest 15 min.

Step 7: Knead until smooth and satiny.

Place in a lightly greased mixing bowl, turn the dough to grease the top, cover lightly, and let rise in a warm place (~85°F) until doubled in bulk (~1 hr.).

Step 8: Punch down and let rise again until almost doubled (~30 min.).

Step 9: Turn out again onto a slightly floured board, divide into three parts, then divide each of these parts into three.

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Ingredients • 1 pkg active • 4 eggs, beaten dry yeast • 8-9 cups sifted • ½ cup warm white flour water • ½ cup melted • 2 cups milk, butter scalded and Glaze: cooled to • 1 egg, beaten lukewarm • ½ cup chopped • 1 cup (or less) or sliced almonds sugar (optional) • 1 tsp salt • ½ cup crushed • 7-8 whole lump sugar cardamom pods, (optional) seeded and crushed (~1 tsp) Step 10: Shape each into a strip about 16” long by rolling the dough between the palms and the board. Braid the three strips together into a straight loaf, pinch the ends together, and tuck under. Repeat for the second and third loaves.

Step 11: Lift the braids onto lightly greased baking sheets. Let rise for ~20 min. (the braids should be puffy but not doubled in size).

Step 12: Glaze the loaves by brushing with the beaten egg, and if you wish, sprinkle with the crushed sugar and the almonds.

Step 13: Bake at 400°F for 25-30 min. Do not over-bake or the loaves will be too dry.

Remove from the oven when a light goldenbrown. Makes three braids. Slice to serve.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Pumpkin Bread From the kitchen of

Christiana Henning Financial Analyst

Directions Step 1: Heat oven to 350°F. Step 2: Grease bottom only of 2 loaf pans (9”x5”x3”).

Step 3: In a large bowl, mix shortening and sugar. Then add eggs, pumpkin, and water.

Step 4: In separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves.

Step 5: Mix wet and dry ingredients.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients • ²/3 cup shortening • 2 ²/3 cup sugar • 4 eggs • 1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin • ²/3 cup water • 3 1/3 cup flour • 2 tsp baking soda • 1 ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp baking powder • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tsp ground cloves (optional) • ²/3 cup raisins (optional) • ²/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Step 6: Stir in nuts and raisins.

Step 7: Pour into loaf pans and bake 1 hr.

10 min. (until toothpick comes out clean).

Step 8: Loosen sides of loaves from pan and let cool on a wire rack.

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Pretzel Turtles Yield: 20 | Prep: 15 min. | Bake: 2-4 min.

From the kitchen of

Greg Mines

• 20 small mini pretzels • 20 pecan halves

Structural Engineer

• 20 chocolate-covered caramel candies (such as Rolo®)

Directions

Step 3: Bake until caramels barely soften, about 2-4 minutes.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Arrange pretzels in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet. Place one caramel candy on top of each pretzel.

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Ingredients

Step 4: Remove from the oven and immediately press a pecan half gently into each warm caramel. Cool completely before serving.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles Ingredients

From the kitchen of

• 1 cup of either • 2 ½ cups of creamy peanut powdered sugar butter, or any • You can add any of nut butter, or these to vary the cookie butter flavor: vanilla, oats, • ½ cup or 1 stick of mini chocolate very soft butter chips, or sea salts

Stacey Ho CRM and Marketing Data Manager

Directions Step 1: Mix all ingredients and refrigerate the dough (refrigerating before rolling into balls is best).

Step 2: Roll ~ 1 Tbsp into a ball, keep cold or refrigerated until ready to dip.

Step 3: Melt ~ 8 oz. of chocolate (dark, white, color it, etc.) with ~ 2 Tbsp of coconut oil (no need to use coconut oil if you are using melting chocolates).

Step 4: Spoon into chocolate and place on parchment or into small paper cups.

They make fun holiday gifts!

variations: • Use strawberry cake (make or buy one) and frosting to make a cake pop version.

• Use premade brownies (nothing else needed), roll into balls and dip away.

• Put cookies (any flavor) in your food processor with ~2 Tbsp of cream cheese and roll into balls.

• Other cookies like frosted animal cookies, gingerbread cookies, or cake donuts also make some fun flavor combinations.

• Mix and match chocolate and add sprinkles to the top.

“ Homemade truffles have been a staple for nearly 100 years in my family.”

- STACEY HO

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

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Cool Raspberry Soup From the kitchen of

Nathan Leber Project Architect

Directions

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Ingredients • 20 oz. frozen raspberries, thawed • 1 ¼ cup water • 1 cup cranraspberry juice • ½ cup sugar • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon

• 3 whole cloves • 1 Tbsp lemon juice • 8 oz. raspberry yogurt • ½ cup sour cream (optional)

Step 1: Purée raspberries and water in blender.

Step 4: Strain several times and let cool.

Step 2: Transfer to large saucepan. Add cranraspberry juice, sugar, cinnamon, and cloves.

Step 5: Whisk in lemon juice and yogurt.

Refrigerate. Serve chilled.

Step 3: Bring just to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat.

Optional: Garnish each serving with a dollop of sour cream.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Kelly’s Cranberry Bars Prep: 10 min. | Bake: 1 hr.

From the kitchen of

Sarah Diekroeger Planner

Directions Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F, then butter a 9” square pan.

Step 2: Use an electric mixer to mix sugar and eggs in a large bowl until thick (~2 min).

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients • 1 ½ cups sugar • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour • 2 large eggs • 2 cups frozen • ¾ cups unsalted cranberries butter (melted and cooled slightly) • ½ cup chopped • 1 tsp almond extract pecans Step 3: Beat butter and almond extract.

Then, add flour and stir until well blended.

Stir in cranberries and pecans last.

Step 4: Pour batter into pan and bake 1 hr. or until knife comes out clean.

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Butter Pecan Bars Yields: 24 bars | Prep: 15 min. | Bake: 25 min.

From the kitchen of

Jeff Massie Senior Project Manager, Transportation

Directions Step 1: Blend 1 cup butter with cream cheese. Gradually add flour and salt until well blended.

Step 2: Press pastry along bottom and halfway up sides of 10”x15”x1” baking pan.

Set aside.

Ingredients • 1 ½ cup butter • 6 oz. cream cheese, softened • 2 cups flour • ¼ tsp salt, if desired • 1 /3 cup packed light brown sugar

• ½ cup white sugar • 2 eggs • 1 Tbsp vanilla • 1 ½ cups chopped pecans • 1 cup chopped dates

Step 3: Cream remaining butter with brown and white sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Blend in pecans and dates.

Step 4: Turn filling into pastry.

Spread evenly.

Step 5: Bake at 325°F for 25 min.

Step 6: Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

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Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Pistachio Cookies From the kitchen of

Matt Marshall Director of Business Development

Directions Step 1: Sift flour with baking powder and salt, set aside.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Beat with a blender until smooth.

Step 3: Add flour mixture to “wet” ingredients until just combined.

Step 4: Turn one cup of batter into a small bowl; add 2-3 drops of food color; add nuts and mix well.

Step 5: On waxed paper, shape colored dough into a roughly ¾ in.-1 in. diameter “log” about 10 in. long.

Step 6: Roll remaining (non-colored) dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper.

Make a rectangle the same length as, and wide enough to completely wrap around the colored “log” of dough.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients • 2 cups unsifted all purpose flour • 1 ½ tsp baking powder • ½ tsp salt • ²/3 cup butter (softened) • 1 cup of sugar • 1 egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract • Red or green food coloring • ¼ cup finely chopped pistachio nuts • Multicolor nonpareils

Step 7: Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Place the “log” of dough and the rolled rectangle in the freezer for 10 min.

Step 8: Pull the dough items out of the freezer. Place the “log” onto the rectangular rolled dough and gently form the rolled dough around the “log,” covering it completely and leaving no air gaps.

Step 9: Roll in nonpareils, then wrap in wax paper and place in freezer for 20-30 min.

Step 10: Remove from freezer. Slice into ⅛-¼” slices. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 min. Will harden when cooled.

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Aunt Debbie’s Chocolate Chip Cookies From the kitchen of

Kat Trout Director of First Impressions

Directions Step 1: Cream together the margarine and the sugars. Add eggs, soda, and vanilla and mix well. Add flour gradually beating well after each addition. Stir in all chips.

Step 2: Transfer dough to a clean bowl.

Cover dough (not bowl) with foil. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Ingredients • 2 cubes Fleishmann’s™ original margarine, room temp.

• ¾ cup sugar • ¾ cup brown sugar • 2 eggs • 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp vanilla • 2 ¼ cups flour • 1 (12-oz.) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips • 1 (12-oz.) bag white chocolate chips • ½ bag of 6-oz. milk chocolate chips

Step 3: Roll dough into balls the size of golf balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet leaving a minimum of 2” between cookies. Bake for 25-30 min. at 300°F or until lightly brown.

“ My Aunt Debbie created this chocolate chip cookie recipe and brings them to every family event we have. They’re addictive!”

- KAT TROUT

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Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Black Russian Cake Yield: 1 cake | Prep: 15 min. | Bake: 45-50 min.

From the kitchen of

Anna Sutton Marketing Coordinator

Directions Step 1: Pour all liquid ingredients into dry ingredients at one time. Beat for 4 min.

Step 2: Pour mixture into sprayed bundt pan. Bake 45-50 min. at 350°F. Step 3: Cool 10 min., then invert pan.

Poke holes in the top so that glaze can soak into cake.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients • 1 yellow cake mix • ¼ cup Kahlua (18.25 oz.)

• ¾ cup water • ½ cup sugar • Cooking spray • 1 box (6.5 oz.)

Glaze: chocolate instant • ½ cup pudding mix powdered sugar • 1 cup vegetable oil • ¼ cup Kahlua • 4 eggs • ¼ cup vodka Glaze: Mix together and let stand while cake is cooling. Brush over cake with pastry brush.

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Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake Yield: 1 two-layer cake | Bake: 20-30 min.

From the kitchen of

Lisa Schowengerdt Contracts Manager

Directions Cakes: Step 1: In a 1 qt. heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, cook the butter, swirling occasionally until the butter is a nutty, goldenbrown color, ~4 min. It will bubble a lot and create brown bits in the bottom of the pan.

Set aside to cool a bit.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.

Step 3: In a large bowl, by hand, whisk the sugar and buttermilk until very well blended.

Step 4: With a rubber spatula, stir in the flour just until combined.

Step 5: Gently whisk in the melted butter until completely incorporated.

Step 6: Divide batter between two 8” cake pans. Bake at 350°F for 20-30 mins., until toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Let cool in pans 10 min. before removing.

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Ingredients •¾ cup unsalted

• 2 ⁄ 3 cup light butter, room temp. brown sugar • 2 cups all • 2 large eggs purpose flour • 1 ⁄ 3 cup buttermilk • 1 ½ tsp Sugar Pecan Topping baking soda • 1 ½ cup pecans, • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon roughly chopped • 1 tsp ground ginger • 2 Tbsp butter •¾ tsp salt • 2 Tbsp brown •¼ tsp ground cloves butter • 1 tsp pumpkin •¼ tsp cinnamon pie spice • P inch salt • 1 ½ cup sugar • 1 container cream • 1 ½ cup pumpkin cheese frosting pie filling Sugar Pecan Topping: Step 1: Put pecans in pan and toast. Once toasted, add the butter through salt and sauté until the sugar has glazed the nuts.

Step 2: Remove from heat and pour onto waxed paper to cook, making sure the nuts are not stuck together.

Step 3: Frost cake with cream cheese frosting.

Step 4: Sprinkle some of the nuts between layers.

Step 5: Save enough nuts to sprinkle on the top after it has been piped.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Old-Fashioned Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Frosting Yield: 9” x 13” cake | Prep: 20 min. | Bake 42-47 min.

From the kitchen of

Sarah Oaks Business Unit Leader, PM/CM

Directions Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a 9” x 13” pan or two 8” round pans.

Step 2: Mix all of the ingredients except the apples and nuts (if using) in a large bowl.

As soon as the mixture comes together and becomes uniformly crumbly, stop mixing.

Step 3: Add the apples, boiled cider, and nuts; mix until the apples release some of their juice and the stiff mixture becomes a thick, creamy batter – somewhere between cookie dough and brownie batter in consistency.

Don’t worry if the mixture doesn’t immediately loosen up; this will take ~3 min. at low speed in a stand mixer.

Step 4: Spread batter in the prepared pan(s).

Step 5: Bake cake for 45 min. for a 9” x 13” pan or for 38 min. for two 8” round pans. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, or with just a few wet crumbs clinging to it. The temp. at the center of the cake will be ~205°F. Step 6: Remove cake from oven and place on rack to cool while you make the frosting.

To make the frosting: Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat.

Stir in brown sugar and salt; cook, stirring, until sugar starts to melt and mixture becomes fairly smooth. Add the milk and boiled cider (if using); bring to boil.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

• 2 1⁄ 3 cups

Ingredients

all purpose flour • 1 2⁄ 3 cups granulated sugar • 2 tsp baking soda •¾ tsp table salt • 1 tsp cinnamon •¼ tsp ginger •¼ tsp nutmeg • 2 large eggs, at room temp.

• 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened • 4 cups peeled, cored, finely chopped apple (¼”-½”), about 1 1⁄ 3 lbs whole apples

• 2 Tbsp boiled cider (optional) • 1 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and diced (optional) Frosting: • 7 Tbsp butter • 2 ⁄ 3 cup light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, packed •¼ tsp table salt •¼ cup milk or 2 Tbsp milk and 2 Tbsp boiled cider • 2 ¼ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted •¾ tsp vanilla extract

Step 7: Remove the syrup from heat and pour it into a medium-sized mixing bowl (large enough to accommodate the confectioners’ sugar). Let the syrup cool in the bowl for 10 min.

Step 8: Pour the confectioners’ sugar into the warm syrup in the bowl, then add the vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is thoroughly combined.

Step 9: Pour the warm frosting onto the cake(s), spreading it over the entire surface.

Step 10: Cut the cake – either warm or at room temp. – into slices to serve. Store the cake, covered, at room temp. for several days; freeze for longer storage.

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Our Favorite Holiday Drinks Holiday libations are a must for any gathering of loved ones. Be they cocktails or mocktails—savor the drinks that warm the hearts of Otak staff every year!

Wintertime Cocoa From the kitchen of

Scott Nettleton Business Unit Leader, Bridges & Structural

Directions Step 1: Place half and half in saucepan over medium heat.

Ingredients • 2 cups half and half • 4-5 Tbsp Dutch cocoa

• Sugar to desired sweetness, or 4 Tbsp

Step 2: Add cocoa and sugar. Stir constantly with a wire whisk while the mixture heats.

Step 3: The cocoa will float on top; just keep whisking it in. Once the cocoa is incorporated, take a taste. If you like it more bitter, add some cocoa; if you like it sweeter, add some sugar.

Step 4: Pour into a mug, add a few marshmallows or whipped cream on top and enjoy.

Step 5: Want to add some flavor?

Mint syrup can be substituted for some of the sugar, or it can be made “adult” with addition of peppermint schnapps to taste.

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Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Egg Nog From the kitchen of

Gabriel Greiner Senior Project Architect

Directions Step 1: Beat eggs in blender for 1 min. on medium speed.

Step 2: Slowly add sugar and blend for 1 additional minute.

Step 3: With blender still running, add brandy, rum, milk, and cream until combined.

Ingredients • 2 large eggs • 3 oz. (by volume) superfine or baker’s sugar (NOT powdered!)

• 2 oz. brandy

• 2 oz. spiced rum (I use Sailor Jerry’s.)

• 6 oz. whole milk • 4 oz. heavy cream • Whole nutmeg cloves, for garnish

Step 4: Chill thoroughly to allow flavors to combine and serve in chilled wine glasses or champagne coupes, grating nutmeg on top immediately before serving.

Holiday-tini From the kitchen of

Darci Dreier Assistant Project Manager

Ingredients • 4 parts Vodka • 2 parts Triple Sec • 2 parts lime juice

• 2 parts cranberry juice • 3 parts Peach Schnapps

Directions Shake in a martini shaker with ice and serve in a martini glass. Enjoy!

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

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Swedish Glogg (mulled wine) Yields: ~1.5 qts.

From the kitchen of

Courtney Hough Marketing Manager

Directions Step 1: Crush cinnamon and cardamom in a mortar and pestle (or put them on a cutting board and crush with the bottom of a heavy pot.) Transfer to a glass container and add ginger, orange zest, cloves, and vodka. Let sit 1 day.

Step 2: Strain vodka through a mesh sieve into a large saucepan; discard spices. Add wine, port, sugar, vanilla, almonds, and raisins and heat over medium just until bubbles start to form around the edges.

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Ingredients • 2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces • 1 tsp cardamom pods • 1 small piece ginger, peeled • Zest of 1 orange • 6 whole cloves • ½ cup vodka (our family uses 1 cup)

• 1 (750-ml) bottle dry red wine • 1 cup ruby port • 1 cup granulated sugar (or make a simple syrup) • 1 Tbsp vanilla • ½ cup blanched whole almonds • ½ cup dark raisins

Step 3: Ladle into mugs, with a few almonds and raisins in each one (good little morsels at the bottom on the cup). Keep any remaining glögg warm over very low heat until ready to serve (do not let it boil). We keep it in a crockpot on the counter all day long.

Step 4: Skål!

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Grapefruit & Sage Champagne Cocktail Ingredients

From the kitchen of

Sarah Oaks Business Unit Leader, PM/CM

Directions Syrup: Combine water and sugar over medium heat until simmering and sugar dissolves. Stir in sage for an extra minute.

Remove from stove and allow to cool.

• 3 oz. grapefruit juice • 1.5 oz. sage simple syrup • 2-3 dashes of bitters • 4 oz. champagne

Sage Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar • 1 cup water • 2 bunches of sage leaves

Remove sage leaves and transfer to a container until ready to use.

Cocktail: Combine all together in a shaker with ice. Strain into a glass with fresh ice and garnish with sage leaves.

Caramel Apple Martini From the kitchen of

Sheri McElravy Chief HR Officer

Directions Step 1: Place 2 martini glasses in the freezer to chill for 15 min. before serving.

Step 2: Dip the rims of the martini glasses in caramel sauce.

Step 3: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full of ice. Add the apple cider, vodka, and butterscotch schnapps. Seal and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients • Caramel sauce, for the rim • Ice, for shaking • 4 oz. apple cider

• 3 oz. vodka • 2 oz. butterscotch schnapps • Sliced apple, for garnish

Step 4: Divide the mixture between the prepared martini glasses; garnish with apple slice.

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Frozen Cranberry Margarita From the kitchen of

Emmy Haveman Pursuit Manager

Ingredients • 1 can frozen cranberry juice • 2 cans lemon lime soda

• 5 cups water • 1 cup tequila • ¼ cup lime juice

Directions Step 1: Pour all ingredients into a 3 quart container.

Step 3: Cover and freeze for 24 hours.

Serve when ready!

Step 2: Mix until well blended.

Spiced Apple Cider Margarita From the kitchen of

Julia Monroe Graphic Designer

Directions Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a shaker and dry shake (no ice) to allow the egg to emulsify for the foam.

Step 2: Pour over a cinnamon sugarrimmed glass filled with ice. Enjoy!

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Ingredients • 3 oz. blanco • 1 tsp egg whites tequila (fresh or out of the • 1 oz. Cointreau carton is fine!)

• 2 oz. seltzer water • 6 oz. spiced apple cider • 2 Tbsp turbinado sugar and a • ½ oz. fresh pinch of ground orange juice cinnamon for • ½ oz. maple rimming your glass syrup

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Tom & Jerry Yields: ~3 drinks From the kitchen of

Greg Mines Structural Engineer

Directions Step 1: Beat egg white until stiff, stir in white sugar.

Step 2: Blend egg yolk with powdered sugar and spices.

Step 3: Mix 1⁄ 3 of the egg white into the yolk mixture, then gently fold the yolk mixture into the remaining egg whites.

Step 4: Heat ~3 cups of milk. Drop 2-3 Tbsp of the egg mixture in a preheated

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients • 1 egg, separated • 1 tsp white sugar • 1 ⁄ 3 to 2 ⁄ 3 cup powdered sugar, to taste • ¼ tsp mixed spices (can be mix of

allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or cloves) • 3 cups milk • 1 oz. rum • 1 oz. whiskey or brandy

mug, add a half shot of rum and a half shot of whiskey (or brandy), and fill mug with heated milk. Top with nutmeg.

Step 5: This recipe scales well for parties, the original version calls for 6 eggs. If you mix a large batch, serve it within a few hours of making it, and keep the batter in the fridge.

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Hot Buttered Rum From the kitchen of

Ellie Gordon Senior Pursuit Manager

Directions Step 1: Combine butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.

Step 2: Add a heaping Tbsp of the butter mixture to your mug.

Step 3: Add rum and boiling water; stir until the butter mixture dissolves and is well-combined.

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Ingredients • ½ cup unsalted • ⅛ tsp ground butter, room temp. cloves • ½ cup brown • 1 tsp vanilla sugar, packed extract • ½ tsp ground • ⅛ tsp fine sea salt cinnamon • ¾ cup spiced rum • ¼ tsp ground • 2 cups boiling nutmeg water Step 4: Serve hot with cinnamon sticks, vanilla ice cream, or whipped cream.

Step 5: You can store the remaining mixture in your fridge until the next use.

Just start again at Step 2. Enjoy!

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

The Whiskey Nut Ingredients

From the kitchen of

Mandy Flett

• Whiskey • Hazelnut liqueur

Project Controller

• Irish cream liqueur • Half and half

Directions Step 1: Stir ingredients with ice.

Step 2: Strain into an ice-filled glass.

Step 3: Dust with sweetened cocoa powder.

Bourbon Slush Yields: 10 | Prep: 10 min. | Total: 10 hrs. 10 min.

From the kitchen of

Heather Whitman Marketing Coordinator

Directions Step 1: Combine the hot tea and sugar in a heatproof bowl; stir until the sugar dissolves.

Step 2: Add the lemonade concentrate and orange juice concentrate; stir until blended.

Step 3: Let stand until cool, about 1 hr. Stir in the bourbon. Pour the bourbon mixture into a large freezer-safe container, and freeze until

Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

Ingredients • 6 cups hot brewed tea • 1 cup granulated sugar • 1 (12 oz.) can of frozen lemonade concentrate

• 6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (from 1 12 oz. can) • 2 cups bourbon

almost firm, about 8 hrs. or overnight.

Let stand at room temp. until partially thawed, about 1 hr.

Step 4: Spoon into glasses and serve immediately.

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Deck the Halls!

THE OTAK HOLIDAY PLAYLIST No celebration is complete without some music to get in the spirit! Enjoy a curated Otak playlist featuring some of our favorite holiday jams both classic and contemporary.

• (There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays - Perry Como (1959 version) • Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - *NSYNC • My Favorite Things - The Supremes • Little Drummer Boy - Josh Groban • Here Comes Santa Claus - Gene Autry • White Christmas - Bing Crosby (1947 version) Scan or • It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas click to Play - Bing Crosby • Silver Bells - Lawrence Welk • The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole • Christmas Will Break Your Heart - LCD Soundsystem • Christmas Time is Here - Khruangbin • Hallelujah - Pentatonix • Mr. Brightside - The Killers • Mary, Did You Know? - Pentatonix • Carol of the Bells - Lindsey Stirling • Christmas in Hollis - RUN-D.M.C. • Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses • Baby, It’s Cold Outside - Dean Martin • Joy to the World - Aretha Franklin • Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Michael Bublé • We Need a Little Christmas - The New Christy Minstrels • Home for Christmas - Hilary Joy Lindstrom • You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Jordan Smith • Like It’s Christmas - Jonas Brothers • God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Mannheim Steamroller

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Otak’s Ingredients for Holiday Cheer

A SPECIAL HOLIDAY TREAT !

Listen to Otak’s own Dave Lintz (and friend David Hunt of Flying Moose Studios) share the holiday spirit with their rendition of Winter Wonderland!

VISIT US AT OTAK.COM