Three Kings' Ring

By dfallon

Ingredients

• YEAST-BREAD
• 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 tb. butter, softened
• FILLING
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ICING
• 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tb. orange juice

Details

Preparation time 45mins
Cooking time 135mins

Preparation

Step 1

YEAST-BREAD
In large mixing bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups of flour and the yeast. Set aside.

In small saucepan, heat and stir milk, the 1/3 cup butter, and the 1/3 cup granulated sugar just until warm (120-130 degrees) and butter almost melts.

Add milk mixture to flour mixture. Then add eggs.

Beat with electric mixer on low-to-medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping the sides of the bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.

Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining dough to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3-5 minutes total).

Shape the dough into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease the surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (1 to 1 1/2 hours).

Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, grease a baking sheet; set aside.

Roll dough into a 20x12-inch rectangle (trim edges for the rectangle).

Spread the rectangle with the 3 tablespoons softened butter.

FILLING
In a small mixing bowl, combine the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and cinnamon. Add walnuts and toss gently to coat.

Sprinkle the filling evenly onto the surface of the dough.

Starting at the long side, loosely roll up the dough jelly-roll style.

Moisten the edges with a little water; pinch firmly to seal.

Place roll, seam side down, on a prepared baking sheet.

Bring ends together to form a ring. Moisten ends with a little water, then pinch together to seal ring.

Flatten the ring slightly (and gently).

Using a sharp knife, make cuts around the edge of the dough at 1 1/2-inch intervals, cutting about two-thirds of the way to the center.

Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly double (30-40 minutes).

Bake on lowest rack at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped.

If necessary, cover with foil after 20 minutes to prevent overbrowning.

Remove from baking sheet; cool on wire rack.

ICING
Combine powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough orange juice to make the icing of drizzling consistency.

Spoon icing over ring. Before icing dries, sprinkle with cinnamon.