A yummy, new tradition for the Winter Solstice. This has the perfect amount of sweetness and can be modified to suit a vegan/dairy-free diet by using egg substitute and vegan butter. This recipe is a “keeper”, for sure.

Yule Dessert Wreath

  • Servings: 12-14
  • Difficulty: moderate
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Yule Dessert Wreath with Cranberries and Pecans

Ingredients

    For the wreath:
  • 1 packet dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water, about 105-110 degrees F
  • 1/2 cup warm whole milk (or any other non dairy milk), about 105-110 degrees F
  • 4 tablespoons organic cane sugar (or regular granulated sugar)
  • 4 tablespoons organic butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom powder (or cardamom seeds ground with mortar and pestle)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel (I use Meyer lemons)
  • 2 cups AP white flour
  • 1 1/2 cups AP wheat flour

Ingredients

    For the filling:
  • 1 cup dried cranberries soaked in 1/2 cup bourbon (pack the berries down in the liquid)
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup AP wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients

    For the glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice


Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and milk. Dissolve the yeast in the mixture and let it foam up for 5-10 minutes. Blend in the sugar, butter, salt, cardamom, cinnamon, eggs and lemon peel. Stir in the AP white flour and mix until incorporated. Add remaining AP wheat flour ½ cup at a time until you have a soft, workable dough.
  2. Knead dough on a floured work surface until smooth, about 5-6 minutes. Add more flour if needed to prevent sticking. Place dough ball in a large, oiled mixing bowl and cover with towel. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled, about 90 minutes.
  3. Drain the dried fruit from the bourbon. In a small bowl, combine the drained fruit with remaining filling ingredients. Mix together. Cover and set aside.
  4. When dough has doubled in size, punch it down and turn it out onto a lightly floured board, kneading for a few minutes. Roll the dough into a 9×30-inch rectangle. Spread the filling over the dough to within 1 inch of the edges. Starting along a long side, tightly roll up the dough, pinching edge against loaf to seal. With a sharp knife, cut roll in half lengthwise. Turn each half so the cut side is facing up, and then twist the halves around each other, like a loose braid, keeping cut sides up. (This helps keeps the yummy filling inside.)
  5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or generously grease baking sheet). Gently, transfer the rope to the baking sheet and shape into a circle and pinch the ends together to seal. Let it rise, uncovered, in a warm place for 30-45 minutes. Near the end of rising time, preheat the oven to 350°F.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until browned. Cool completely before drizzling icing over top.

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Before going into the oven

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