Holiday Braids

Name: Holiday Braids
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons active dry yeast; 1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°); 4 large eggs; 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/3 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons grated orange zest; 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons grated orange zest; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 cup chopped pecans; 1 cup dried cranberries; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

18 ingredients

7 steps

Ingredients

2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
4 large eggs
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
4 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

1

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the eggs, butter, sugar, orange zest, vanilla, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes. 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 top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, orange zest and cinnamon; set aside.
4

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. On greased
5

, roll each portion into a 15x9-in. rectangle. Spread filling down the center of each; sprinkle with pecans and cranberries.
6

On each long side, cut 3/4-in.-wide strips about 2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.
7

Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over braids. Serve warm.