Cream Cheese Bundles

By littlefish

A cream cheese center provides a pleasant surprise when folks bite into these rich bundles.


can also add pie filling

Ingredients

• FILLING:
• 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) quick-rise yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• TOPPING:
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat water and butter to 120°-130°; stir into dry ingredients. Beat in eggs until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the filling ingredients; beat until smooth. Roll out dough to a 21-in. x 14-in. rectangle, about 1/4 in. thick. Let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into 3-1/2-in. squares. Spoon 1 tablespoon of filling onto each square. Bring corners together over filling; pinch seams to seal. Place seam side down in greased muffin cups. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.
Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Brush with butter. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth; drizzle over bundles. Sprinkle with pecans. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 2 dozen.



Nutrition Facts: 1 serving equals 259 calories, 10 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 59 mg cholesterol, 137 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein.