Merlin Cream Cheese Bread with Glaze Recipe 🍞

Description:

Indulge in the magic of the holiday season with this enchanting Merlin Cream Cheese Bread with Glaze! 🎄 This delightful sweetbread is not only delicious but also makes for a stunning centerpiece on your festive table. With a creamy cream cheese filling wrapped in a soft, pillowy dough and topped with a decadent glaze, this bread is sure to disappear within minutes of serving. It’s decorative, easy to make, and features the best-tasting cream cheese filling you’ve ever experienced!

• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Recipe Category: Yeast Breads
• Keywords: Breads, Kid Friendly, Christmas, Weeknight, < 4 Hours

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 563.5
• Fat Content: 23.6g
• Saturated Fat Content: 14g
• Cholesterol Content: 133.8mg
• Sodium Content: 399.7mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 74.9g
• Fiber Content: 2g
• Sugar Content: 25.5g
• Protein Content: 12.9g

Ingredients:

• 1 package dry yeast
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup water (for glaze)
• 1 package cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar (for filling)
• 1 egg (for filling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in water. 🌊
2. Blend in milk, salt, sugar, egg, and butter until well combined.
3. Gradually beat in about 2 1/2 cups of flour to make a soft dough. Add more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
4. Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead until smooth and satiny, about 5 to 15 minutes.

2. First Rise:

5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it over to grease the top.
6. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:

7. While the dough is rising, prepare the cream cheese filling.
8. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy using an electric mixer.
9. Beat in 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 egg, lemon peel, and vanilla extract until well combined.

4. Shape the Bread:

10. Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and knead briefly on a lightly floured board.
11. Roll the dough into a 10 by 15-inch rectangle and place it on a lightly greased 14 by 17-inch baking sheet.
12. Mark the dough to indicate three lengthwise sections.

5. Add the Filling:

13. Spread the prepared cream cheese filling evenly in the center third of the dough.
14. Using a sharp knife, cut 10 diagonal strips in each of the two outer sections of the dough, cutting almost as far as the filling.
15. Pull up and overlap the strips alternately over the filling until all strips are folded. If there is excess dough, tuck it underneath the loaf.

6. Second Rise:

16. Brush the loaf with an egg white mixture.
17. Let the loaf rise, uncovered, in a warm place until almost doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

7. Bake and Glaze:

18. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
19. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until richly browned.
20. Let the bread cool on a rack.
21. Prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Dribble the glaze all over the cooled bread.

Enjoy your magical Merlin Cream Cheese Bread with Glaze! ✨🍞 Serve it as a delightful treat during the holiday season or any time you crave a deliciously sweet indulgence.