Recipe: Sweet Almond Braid with Almond Glaze (Fleishmann's Yeast recipe)

SWEET ALMOND BRAID



FOR THE DOUGH:
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided use
1/3 cup sugar
1 envelope Fleischmann's RapidRise Yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup butter OR margarine
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Almond Filling (recipe follows)
Egg Glaze (1 egg white and 1 teaspoon water)
Almond Glaze (recipe follows)
Sliced almonds (for garnish)

Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt in a large bowl or bowl of an electric mixer.

Heat milk, 1/4 cup water and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F). Add to the flour mixture and beat 2 minutes at medium speed with an electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.

Add eggs, vanilla and 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed.

Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 3 equal pieces; roll each piece to 18x6-inch rectangle. Spread 1/3 Almond Filling over each rectangle, leaving 1/2-inch border. Starting at long side, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam and ends to seal.

Braid 3 dough rolls; pinch ends and tuck under to seal. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

To make the Egg Glaze, combine egg white and 1 teaspoon water; brush over braid.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Remove from baking sheet; cool on wire rack.

Drizzle cooled braid with Almond Glaze; sprinkle with almond slices.

ALMOND FILLING

1 1/2 cups finely chopped almonds
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter OR margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, slightly beaten

Combine almonds, sugar, butter, almond extract, vanilla and egg in a medium bowl. Stir to blend.

ALMOND GLAZE

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Combine powdered sugar, almond extract and enough milk to reach desired consistency.

Makes 1 coffee cake
Source: Fleishmann's Yeast, ACH Foods