LEMON CHEESE BRAID

By stepjo7269

The Taste of Home Classic Cookbook

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 3 tablespoons warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 to 3 -1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 packages (one 8 ounces, one 3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• ICING:
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 to 3 teaspoons milk
• Directions:
• ●In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, sugar, butter, eggs, salt and 2 cups flour; beat on low speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough of remaining flour to form a soft dough.
• ●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.
• ●Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat all the filling ingredients until fluffy; set aside.
• ●Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 14-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased baking sheet.
• ●Spread filling down center third of rectangle.
• ●On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips, 3-in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Seal end.
• ●Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
• ●Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
• ●Combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve drizzling consistency; drizzle over bread.

Details

Servings 14

Preparation

Step 1

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 slice) equals 284 calories, 13 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 80 mg cholesterol, 201 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 6 g protein.