Cherry Almond Wreath

I usually serve this spectacular coffee cake on a silver tray with a small artificial poinsettia blossoms and leaves in the center. My daughter and I enjoy making specialty breads like this one and find they make excellent Christmas gives for family and friends.

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
3 to 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 eggs
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

Filling

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

2/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds
1/2 cup chopped red and green candied cherries

Glaze

• download smokey and the bandit part 3 divx

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon water

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk and water. Add the eggs, butter, sugar, salt, lemon peel, cardamom and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.

In a small mixing bowl, beat butter, flour, sugar, extract and lemon peel. Stir in almonds and cherries. Refrigerate.

Punch dough down. Turn on a lightly floured surface. Roll into a 30-in. x 9-in. rectangle. Crumble filling over rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges.

Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. With scissors, cut lengthwise down the middle of the roll; carefully turn cut sides up. Loosely twist strips around each other, keeping cut sides up. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until browned. cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm coffee cake. Cool completely.

Makes 20 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 35 minutes