CINNAMON-PECAN COFFEE CAKES

Cinnamon-Pecan Coffee Cakes image

With their decorative cinnamon swirls, these lovely braids taste as good as they look! And their aroma while baking will make your mouth water. For a holiday touch, you could decorate the drizzle of icing with pecans and candied cherries. -Vick Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

6 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
2 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
GLAZE:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 to 3 tablespoons water

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, yeast, salt and sugar. In a small saucepan, heat water and 1/2 cup butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky). , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Divide into six portions. Roll out each portion into a 12-in. x 6-in. rectangle. Melt remaining butter; brush over dough. Combine pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal., Place three ropes seam side down on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Repeat with remaining ropes. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. , In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, extract and enough water to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over warm loaves. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 190mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.