Christmas Fruit and Nut Wreath

Before Internet, we received small advertising brochures with recipes in the mail and the reason I tried this one is because the picture looked so beautiful! My husband always says “You know, this is the only thing you have to make for Christmas, don’t you?” (Too bad I love to bake!)
We also had a good laugh when our three-year-old grandson saw it on the counter and exclaimed. “That’s my best!!”

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• ½ cup cold water
• 3 - 3 1/2 cup flour, divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons quick rise yeast
• 1 egg

Filling:

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
• ¼ cup raisins
• ¼ cup glace mix (finely chopped candied fruit)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Updated (alternate)  filling:

• 2 tablespoons butter for spreading
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds
• 1/3 cup cranberries
• 1/3 cup finely chopped dried apricots
• 1/4 cup diced candied citrus peel 
• rind of one orange

Icing:

• 3/4 - 1 cup icing sugar
• 1 - 2 tablespoons milk 
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (stir until smooth)

1. Heat milk and butter until hot to touch. Cool somewhat with ½ cup cold water.
2. In mixing bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast.
3. Stir hot liquids into dry mixture. Mix in the egg, then 1 1/2 - 2 cups flour, to make a soft manageable dough that does not stick to sides of bowl.
4. Cover and rise 20 minutes.

5. Roll out on floured surface into 16 x 9 inch rectangle.
6. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon filling.
7. Roll up jelly-roll fashion. Place seam down, shaping into a circle on greased or parchment paper lined pizza pan, folding ends one inside the other.
8. Cut 2/3 of the way into ring at 1 inch intervals. Turn each slice a little outward, on its side. Cover and rise about 45 min. Bake at 350° F, about 20 min. Slide off pan onto wire rack to cool.

9. Drizzle with icing.
10. Sprinkle with slivered toasted almonds.