Glazed Cinnamon Braids

Name: Glazed Cinnamon Braids
Ingredients: 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast; 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°); 1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°); 2 eggs; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup shortening; 2 teaspoons salt; 5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup chopped pecans; 1/2 cup red-hot candies; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

16 ingredients

6 steps

Ingredients

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup shortening
2 teaspoons salt
5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup red-hot candies
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

1

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, eggs, sugar, shortening, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the pecans, red-hots, sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
3

Punch dough down. Divide in half. On a greased
4

, roll out one portion into a 12x10-in. rectangle. Spread 1 tablespoon butter down the center; sprinkle with half of the pecan mixture.
5

On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips about 2-1/2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and pecan mixture. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
6

Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over loaves. Serve warm.