Cranberry Wreaths

Cranberry-filled wreaths make a festive addition to your holiday brunch table.

Step: 1

In large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat milk, butter, and water until very warm (120 degrees to 130 degrees F). Gradually add to flour mixture; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make stiff batter. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 to 24 hours.

Step: 2

Cranberry filling: In medium saucepan, combine chopped cranberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel; bring to boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until very thick. Remove mixture from heat, and let cool.

Step: 3

Remove dough from refrigerator. Punch dough down. Remove to lightly floured surface. Roll to 21 x 12-inch rectangle. Spread Cranberry Filling over dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Fold crosswise in thirds, to enclose filling, making a 12 x 7-inch rectangle. Press edges to seal. Cut dough into 12 (1-inch) strips. Holding ends of each strip, twist three times. Pinch together ends of each twisted strip to form wreaths; place on greased baking sheets. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until almost doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Step: 4

Bake at 400 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes or until done, switching positions of sheets halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove wreaths from baking sheets; let cool on wire racks. Frost wreaths with Powdered Sugar Icing, if desired.

Step: 5

Powdered Sugar Frosting: In bowl, combine powdered sugar, 4 to 5 teaspoons evaporated milk, and 1/2 teaspoon SPICE ISLANDS Pure Vanilla Extract. Stir until smooth

Per Serving: 298 calories; protein 6.3g; carbohydrates 54g; fat 6.4g; cholesterol 46.3mg; sodium 252.9mg.

The quality of the flour can make a real difference to your bread. Different brands do vary. Great taste or Canadian flours, which are bet higher in gluten, may give you a best rise than standard bread flours – especially if you’re making wholemeal bread , which not always rise as well as white bread.

To make this in a breadmaker , add all the ingredients to your breadmaker and follow the makers instructions.

A dough’s first rising can be make in the fridge 24 hours . This slows down the time it takes to rise to double its size, giving it a deeper flavour. It’s also a great limit , as you can start it night before , then finish it off the next day.