3 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose
3 tablespoons sugar
1 package yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 cup cherries, candied, red chopped
ALMOND FILLING
1/2 cup almond paste (5 ounces)
1 egg white
1/2 cup blanched almonds toasted
ICING
1 cup confectioner's sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
In large bowl combine 3/4 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water, sour cream and butter until very warm (120: to 130:F). Gradually add to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add egg and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. With spoon, stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. (With Rapid Rise Yeast, cover kneaded dough; let rest on floured surface 10 minutes. Proceed with recipe.) Prepare Almond Filling: Combine almond paste with 1 egg white. Beat with fork until blended. Stir in chopped, blanched almonds, toasted. Punch dough down. On lightly floured surface, roll dough to 9- W 16-inch rectangle. Spread filling to within 1/2-inch of edges; sprinkle with cherries. Roll up from long side as for jelly roll; pinch seam to seal. Form into ring and pinch ends to seal. Place ring, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. With sharp knife, cut slits, 3/4 through dough, at 1-inch intervals. Turn each section on its side. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes. Bake at 375:F for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from baking sheet; cool on wire rack. Frost with Almond Icing. ____________________
Almond Icing: In small bowl combine confectioners' sugar with milk and almond extract. Beat with fo rk until smooth.
