Frosted Almond Swirl Bread


Tastes like an almond danish!

1/2 cup warm milk (about 85 degrees F)
1/4 cup hot water 115 degrees.
 1 egg
 4 tablespoons [1/2 stick] butter or margarine, softened
 3 tablespoons sugar
 2.5 cups flour
 1.25 teaspoon active/rapid rise dry yeast [1 packet]

FILLING:
1/2 cup Almond paste
1/2 cup brown sugar
2-3 tb soft butter/ margarine
*optional* 1/2 tsp nutmeg

GLAZE:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 
1 TB milk
2 TB softened or melted butter/margarine
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Stir yeast in with warm milk and almost hot water. Let sit 5 minutes until creamy looking.
2. In large bowl mix dry ingredients
3. Stir in yeast mixture add egg and butter.
4. Knead,[ 2-5 minutes by hand ]
5. Let rise in warm place (covered with damp cloth) [about 30-45 minutes in oven with JUST oven light on]
6. When doubled, punch down, and let it rise again.
6. When doubled again, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Flatten by hand into a 10-in. x 8-in. rectangle, brush by hand with light, even coat of butter/ margarine. 
Combine Filling: Almond paste, brown sugar, butter and bit o’ nutmeg [ I warm about 20-30 seconds in microwave so it’s easier to combine] ; spread evenly over dough. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Pinch seams and ends to seal. Place seam side down in greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 3-in. loaf pan. or 9 X 5 if you must. 
3. Bake at 375 degrees F for 23-25 minutes in 8x4 pan. If using 9X5 pan, reduce cook time 3-5 minutes. It's done when golden and sounds hollow when you lightly knock on the top.  Cool in pan on wire rack.
4. Combine glaze ingredients; spoon over loaf while still a little warm. Top with a sprinkling of toasted almond slivers for a nice added bit of crunch!

Why do I do this blog?

Well, because I like easy to make, flavorful dishes with a moderate fat count, and a wide variety of them. This blog is the perfect place to bring together all of my favorites for easy access to pull up to use when it's time to make dinner.