Icelandic Coffee Wreath (Fyltur Hveitibraudskrans)

Ingredients

FILLING

• 1 cup almond paste
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel

GLAZE

• 1 slightly beaten egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• decorator sugar (pearl sugar) or crushed sugar cube

Directions

1. 1

   FOR THE DOUGH: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the water and let stand 5 minutes. Add the egg, butter, sugar, salt, and sour cream. Beat in 2 cups of the flour to make a stiff dough. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

2. 2

   Turn out onto lightly floured board and roll out to make a square about 20 to 24 inches across.

3. 3

   TO MAKE THE FILLING: Blend the almond paste, egg, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Spread this mixture over the rolled dough to within 1/2 inch of the edge of the dough. Sprinkle with the raisins and orange peel. Roll dough up, jelly roll fashion, enclosing the filling.

4. 4

   Cover baking sheet or a 16 inch pizza pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Place roll on the pan in the shape of a wreath and seal ends together. With a pair of scissors, clip the wreath and lift the cut dough back over the wreath decoratively. Let rise 1 hour or until puffy. Preheat oven to 400°F.

5. 5

   To make the glaze, mix the beaten egg well with the 2 tablespoons milk. Brush wreath with the mixture and sprinkle with the pearl sugar. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden.

6. 6

   The Great Scandinavian Baking Book B. Ojakangas.