APRICOT TEA RINGS

Apricot Tea Rings image

This coffee cake is a favorite of mine. It's attractive, delicious and cuts like a dream. Sometimes I use convenient canned pie filling when I want a different flavor and I'm pressed for time. -Dot Christiansen Bettendorf, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 rings (12 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 large eggs
FILLING:
12 ounces dried apricots, diced
2 cups water
6 tablespoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons orange juice
1/2 cup chopped pecans
GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and nutmeg. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat until moistened. Beat in eggs until smooth. Cover and refrigerate overnight., In a large saucepan, combine apricots and water. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes or until the water is absorbed and apricots are tender. Remove from the heat; stir in the brown sugar, juice and nuts. Cool., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one portion into an 18x12-in. rectangle. Spread half of 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; pinch ends together to form a ring. Repeat for second ring. With scissors, cut each from outside edge two-thirds toward center of ring at 1 in. intervals. Separate strips slightly: twist so filling shows, slightly overlapping with previous piece. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Bake at 375° for 25-28 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. , In a small bowl, combine confectioner's sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over warm tea rings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 205 calories, Fat 5g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 132mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.