TWISTED CHRISTMAS TREE BREAD

Twisted Christmas Tree Bread image

Provided by Pat Duran

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 17

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FILLING:
1/2 c raisins or crasins
1/4 c chopped maraschino cherries
1/4 c chopped apricots
1/3 c granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/3 c boiling water
DOUGH:
2 c sifted cake flour
3/4 tsp salt
5 Tbsp cold real butter
1 large egg, slightly beaten
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1/3 c light cream

Steps:

1. Filling: Combine all fruits, sugar, cinnamon, the boiling water and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is melted and mixture is well blended. set aside to cool. This may be made the day before.
2. Dough: Measure sifted flour, add baking powder, salt and 3 Tablespoons of sugar and sift together. Cut in butter. Add lemon rind, Combine egg and cream. Add to flour mixture, stirring only until soft dough is formed about 20 strokes. Turn out on lightly floured surface; knead about 1 minute.
3. To Make Tree: Divide dough in 1/2. Roll each 1/2 into a triangle, (tree shape, about 1/8 inch thick). Trim off a narrow strip from bottom of each triangle; cut strip in half. Place one of the triangles on greased baking sheet. Fasten 2 of the strips at bottom to form a tree trunk. Spread cooled filling evenly over entire tree, leaving 1/4 inch edge of pastry. Moisten edge. Arrange the second triangle and remaining 2 strips on top; press edges together like for pie crust. Cut 4 or 5 slits on each side of tree and 3 or 4 in center of tree for vents. Twist side tips upward to resemble branches(filling will show) Bake in 375^ oven for 20-25 minutes. Frost with a simple white icing and sprinkle with green decorating sugar. Decorate with red hot cinnamon candy pieces, here and there.