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Date Nut Christmas Tree

Courses: Dessert
Serves: 16 people

Recipe Ingredients

4 1/2 cups 281g / 9.9ozAll-purpose flour*
1/3 cup 65g / 2.3ozSugar
2   Active dry or rapid rise yeast
1 teaspoon 5mlSalt
3/4 cup 177mlMilk
1/2 cup 118mlWater
1/3 cup 65g / 2.3ozPlus 1/4 cup butter or margarine - softened
2   Eggs
  Date nut filling
1   Chopped dates or pitted dates - snipped
1 cup 146g / 5.1ozChopped pecans or walnuts - toasted
1/2 cup 99g / 3.5ozSugar
1 1/2 teaspoons 7.5mlGround cinnamon
  Icing
2 cups 396g / 13ozSifted powdered sugar
3 tablespoons 45mlMilk
1 teaspoon 5mlVanilla extract
  Candied fruits or small colored candies

Recipe Instructions

In large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, undissolved yeast and salt. Heat milk, water and 1/3 cup butter until warm (105 to 115F). Butter does not need to melt. Gradually add to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.

Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. With spoon, stir in remaining flour to make stiff batter; grease top. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours or up to 2 days.

Prepare Cinnamon Date Filling: In small bowl, combine 1 (8-ounce) package chopped dates or pitted dates, chopped pecans or walnuts, sugar and ground cinnamon; stir well.

Remove dough from refrigerator. Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Reserve one half. Roll remaining dough to 16- x 10-inch rectangle. Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter; brush 2 tablespoons on dough to within 1/2-inch of edge. Evenly sprinkle with half of the Cinnamon-Date Filling.

Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll; pinch seam to seal. With sharp knife, cut roll into 16 equal pieces. On lower third of large greased baking sheet, arrange five rolls, cut sides up, in a row, with edges touching. Form tree with additional rows of rolls - four rolls in second row, three rolls in third row, two rolls in fourth row and one for top of tree. Place remaining roll at bottom center of tree to make trunk. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and filling. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake at 375F for 15 to 20 minutes or until done; switch positions of sheets halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Makes 2 trees. Decorate as desired with Vanilla Icing and candied fruits or small colored candies.

VANILLA ICING: Combine powdered sugar, 2 to 3 tablespoons milk and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.

Source:
Norene Gilletz "The Pleasures of Your Processor"

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