ALMOND-CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

Almond-Cheese Coffee Cake image

Holiday guests will love the texture of this coffee cake featuring a Mascarpone cheese layer. With a sweet glaze and crunchy almonds on top, it's hard to eat only one piece..-Kristi Overton, Meridian, Idaho

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 loaf (12 slices).

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons cold butter
1/2 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
2 large egg yolks, beaten, room temperature
FILLING:
1 carton (8 ounces) Mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon almond extract
GLAZE:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon 2% milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in the yeast mixture, milk and egg yolks. Add enough remaining flour until mixture forms a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate overnight., In a small bowl, combine the filling ingredients; set aside. Punch dough down. On a floured surface, roll into a 13x10-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet. Spread filling over dough to within 1 in. of edges., Starting with a long side, roll just to the center of the rectangle; repeat with remaining side, meeting in the middle., With scissors, cut from outside edges to two-thirds of the way toward center at 1-1/2 in. intervals. Separate strips slightly; twist to allow filling to show. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla; drizzle over coffee cake. Sprinkle with almonds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Fat 18g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 91mg cholesterol, Sodium 157mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 6g protein.