Cranberry-Almond Holiday Wreath Bread

Name: Cranberry-Almond Holiday Wreath Bread
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: 1 ten inch wreath, 12 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast; 1/4 cup water (about 110 F); 1/2 cup warm milk; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon lemon, rind of, grated; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (approximately); 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2/3 cup slivered almonds, chopped; 1/2 cup dried cranberries (or cherries, or 1/4 cup each chopped red and green candied cherries); 1/2 teaspoon lemon, rind of, grated; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 2/3 cup powdered sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon water

Submitted by Sharlene~W

"This bread makes a beautiful presentation. Great for a holiday brunch. I love to make bread and this is one of my favorites. The thing that makes it especially special is the way you cut and wrap the rolls. Very impressive. Prep time includes about 2 1/2 hours rising time."

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photo by bindifry

Ready In:: 3hrs 20mins
Ingredients:: 20
Yields:: 1 ten inch wreath
Serves:: 12

ingredients

Bread Wreath
1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast
¹⁄₄ cup water (about 110 F)
¹⁄₂ cup warm milk
3 tablespoons sugar
¹⁄₄ cup butter, at room temperature
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons salt
¹⁄₂ teaspoon ground cardamom
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon lemon, rind of, grated
3 ¹⁄₂ cups all-purpose flour (approximately)
Cranberry-Almond Filling
¹⁄₄ cup butter, at room temperature
¹⁄₄ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
²⁄₃ cup slivered almonds, chopped
¹⁄₂ cup dried cranberries (or cherries, or 1/4 cup each chopped red and green candied cherries)
¹⁄₂ teaspoon lemon, rind of, grated
¹⁄₄ teaspoon almond extract
Sugar Glaze
²⁄₃ cup powdered sugar
1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon water

directions

1.
Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large bowl; stir briefly.
Let stand until foamy (about 5 minutes).
Stir in milk, sugar, butter, salt, cardamom, eggs, and lemon peel.
Using electric mixer (with a paddle attachment if you have one) or a heavy spoon, add 2 cups of the flour, 1 cup at a time, beating well after addition.
Then eat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
Add 1 1/4 cups more flour; beat until combined.
Scrape dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth (5 to 10 minutes) adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
Place in a greased bowl; turn over to grease top.
Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 1/2 hours).
Meanwhile, prepare filling.
In a medium-size bowl, combine butter,flour and sugar.
Beat until smooth.
Stir in almonds, dried cranberries, lemon peep, and almond extract.
Cover and refrigerate.
Punch doubled dough down and knead briefly on a lightly floured board to release ari.
Roll into a 9- by 30-inch rectangle.
Crumble filling dough to within 1 inch of edges.
Beginning at long side, tightly roll up dough, pinching edge against loaf to seal.
With a sharp knife, cut roll in half lengthwise, carefully turn cut sides up.
Loosely twist ropes around each other, keeping cut side up.
Transfer to a greased and floured baking sheet and shape into a 10-inch ring, pinching ends together to seal.
Let rise, uncovered, in a warm place until puffy (45 to 60 minutes).
Bake in a 375°F oven until lightly browned (about 20 minutes).
Transfer to a rack and let cool briefly.
Meanwhile, prepare sugar glaze.
In a small bow, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon water; stir until smooth.
Drizzle over warm bread.

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Reviews

this is kind of difficult because it's 2.5 feet long which is a challenge. it's pretty good but needs a lot more of the sugar topping. i used giant golden raisins & dates instead of cranberries.

bindifry
This is my first attempt at a braided bread, and I think I didn't roll it tight enough. Most of the filling ended up on top. But it sure tastes great! I used the real sugar in the bread so the yeast would work, but used Splenda in the filling and glaze. I might add a little more cardamom next time, though. I used half cranberries and half cherries in the filling. I am going to make this again! Thanks for posting.

Outta Here

Tweaks

this is kind of difficult because it's 2.5 feet long which is a challenge. it's pretty good but needs a lot more of the sugar topping. i used giant golden raisins and dates instead of cranberries.

bindifry

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Sharlene~W

Campbell, California

I live in the San Francisco area and love it here. I discovered Recipezaar (then Food.com..Genius Kitchen) in 2001 and have been so happy to have my favorite recipes stored safely here. I am mother to 7 and grandmother to 7. I love to knit, smock, sew, etc., but my favorite hobby of the moment is traditional rug hooking. This is a sample of what I do.? It's called "November".? I dyed most of the wool myself. It is made from wool flannel, cut into strips a little less than 1/4" and then worked into a linen backing. This is my 3rd rug.

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