Twisted Cranberry-Almond Festive Wreath Bread

Introducing the Cranberry-Almond Holiday Wreath Bread, a delightful creation perfect for any festive occasion, especially a holiday brunch! 🎄 This recipe is a true showstopper, not just in taste but also in presentation, with its intricately twisted wreath shape. With a prep time of 3 hours, including rising time, this bread is worth every moment spent crafting it.

Ingredients:

• Yeast Mixture:

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  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water

• Dough:

  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 3 eggs
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading

• Filling:

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

• Sugar Glaze:

  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions:

1. Prepare Yeast Mixture:

   • In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over warm water. Stir briefly and let it stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

2. Make Dough:

   • To the yeast mixture, add milk, sugar, softened butter, salt, cardamom, eggs, and lemon zest. Using an electric mixer or a heavy spoon, gradually add 2 cups of flour, beating well after each addition. Then, beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
   • Add 1 1/4 cups more flour and beat until combined. Scrape the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth for 5 to 10 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
   • Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning it over to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.

3. Prepare Filling:

   • In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, flour, and sugar. Beat until smooth, then stir in almonds, dried cranberries, lemon zest, and almond extract. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

4. Shape the Bread:

   • Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and knead briefly on a lightly floured surface to release air. Roll it into a 9- by 30-inch rectangle.
   • Spread the prepared filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough and pinch the edge to seal.
   • With a sharp knife, cut the roll in half lengthwise, then carefully turn the cut sides up. Twist the ropes around each other loosely, keeping the cut side up. Transfer to a greased and floured baking sheet and shape into a 10-inch ring, pinching the ends together to seal.

5. Final Rise and Bake:

   • Let the shaped bread rise, uncovered, in a warm place until puffy, about 45 to 60 minutes.
   • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Once risen, bake the bread until lightly browned, approximately 20 minutes.

6. Make Sugar Glaze:

   • While the bread is baking, prepare the sugar glaze. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of water. Stir until smooth.

7. Glaze and Serve:

   • Once the bread is baked, transfer it to a wire rack and let it cool briefly. Drizzle the prepared sugar glaze over the warm bread.
   • Serve the Cranberry-Almond Holiday Wreath Bread warm or at room temperature, slicing into beautiful portions to reveal the delicious filling within.

This bread is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, making it an impressive addition to any holiday table. Enjoy the warmth and aroma of freshly baked bread, coupled with the delightful flavors of cranberries, almonds, and citrus zest. 🍞✨