Family Christmas Day 8: Make a Spcial Dish : Swedish Tea Ring recipe

 

As we get closer to Christmas do not let the stress of work, Christmas Pictures, wrapping gifts and the rest get in your way of Celebrating Christ at Christmas. Today take time and make a Christmas list of gifts that you would give the world See how different your list is compared to your child. Discuss as a family what you think is an important goal and how much better the world would be if you had time to love one another as the one that was born on Christmas day loves us.

Today make a gift for a special family, next door neighbor or someone who could use some pick e up. The Swedish tea ring was a customary gift that my grandmother would give to every family in our family tree as well as special friends during the holiday season.


Swedish Tea Ring

Swedish Tea Ring

1 cup chopped candied fruit

1/2 cup raisins

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon grated orange peel

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom



DOUGH:

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast

1/3 cup sugar, divided

1-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°), divided

2 eggs

1/4 cup shortening

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

4-1/4 to 4-3/4 cups all-purpose flour



ICING:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon milk

Candied cherries, optional


In a bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Cover and refrigerate. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast, 1/4 cup water and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1/4 cup warm water; let stand for 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine remaining water and sugar; stir until dissolved. Add yeast mixture, eggs, shortening, salt and 3 cups flour; mix until smooth. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
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 in half. Roll each portion into a 16-in. x 9-in. rectangle. Sprinkle filling over dough to within 1/2 in. of edge.
Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seams to seal. Place on greased baking sheets; pinch ends together to form a ring. With a scissors, cut from outside edge two-thirds of the way toward center of ring at 1-in. intervals. Separate strips lightly; twist to allow filling to show. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks for 20 minutes. For icing, combine the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and milk; drizzle over tea rings while warm. Decorate with cherries if desired. Yield: 2 tea rings.