SWEDISH COFFEEBREAD

Swedish Coffeebread image

I'm not sure which is lovelier, this recipe's presentation or the tradition behind it! The bread has a light cinnamon flavor and is simply pretty as a picture. I would proudly serve this for any special occasion or brunch. Just beautiful!

Provided by Elin Criswell

Time 3h30m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 pkg yeast
1/2 c warm water
2 c warm milk
1/3 c sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
1/3 c vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
6 1/2 c flour, approximately
CINNAMON SUGAR FILLING
butter, softened
1/2 c sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water, let stand for 5 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm milk, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, salt, vegetable oil and beaten egg, mixing well.
3. Stir in yeast mixture.
4. Add 3 cups of the flour, mixing well. Gradually add remaining flour, one cup at a time. When the dough begins to leave the sides of the bowl, turn it out on a lightly floured surface. Gradually knead in remaining flour until dough is smooth and elastic.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until dough doubles in size.
6. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Gently punch dough down and divide into thirds. With each dough portion, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface. Using a pastry brush, brush dough with softened butter. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1 TBSP. and 1 tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle cinnamon mixture on dough (reserve remaining mixture for the other two dough portions). Roll up dough, jelly roll style. Pinch dough at both ends and along the long seam to seal. Form dough into a circle and place seam side down on a greased cookie sheet. Using scissors, cut 1" slices all around the dough ring, only cutting 2/3rd of the way down. Then fan out each alternating slice. Cover and let rise until almost doubled. Repeat procedure with two remaining dough balls.
7. Bake in a preheated oven for 25 - 30 minutes. When coffeebread is first removed from the oven, using a pastry brush, brush with melted butter.
8. YIELDS: 3 COFFEEBREADS (or Swedish Tea Rings) OPTIONAL: Icing: Mix together 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 TBSP. milk, 1 tsp. vanilla. Drissle over cooled coffeebread. Can also be served with cream cheese.