Christmas Fruit and Nut Wreath

I wish I’d kept the original recipe pamphlet I received, possibly with the mail, many years ago, but it’s gone and I don’t remember which company advertised it. Possibly Fleishman’s Yeast or Robin Hood Flour. It seems we used to get more of those little advertising brochures in the mail in years gone by and the reason I tried this one is because the picture looked so beautiful! My husband always says now “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 c milk
1/2 c marg
½ cup cold water
3 - 3 1/2 c flour, divided
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 Tbsp quick rise yeast
1 egg

filling:
2 Tbsp margarine, melted
½ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped almonds
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup glace mix (finely chopped candied fruit)
½ tsp cinnamon

Heat milk and marg until hot to touch. Cool somewhat with ½ cup cold water. In mixing bowl, mix 1 1/2 c of the flour, sugar, salt and yeast. 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. Cover and rise 20 min.

Roll out on floured surface into 16 x 9 inch rectangle. Brush with melted marg. Sprinkle with cinnamon filling. Roll up jelly-roll fashion. Place seam down, shaping into a circle on greased pizza pan. Fold ends one inside the other.
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 350F, about 20 min. Slide off pan onto wire rack to cool.

Drizzle with: 3/4- 1 c icing sugar, 1 - 2 Tbsp milk, 1/2 tsp almond extract (stir until smooth)
Decorate with red and green candied cherries and sprinkle with slivered toasted almonds.