Christmas Morning Happiness
Swedish Tea Ring
Words by Justin Butts Recipe by Kayla Butts Photos by Rachel Benavides
On Christmas morning—different than every other day of the year—our little ones wake up first. We hardly hear the pitter-patter of their footsteps before they pounce into our bed to tell us about the presents beneath the tree and the signs that Santa surely found their cookies and milk.
The presents must be opened right away. As wrapping paper flies, grandmother arrives, then the other, then Grandpa, each with more presents. Next the cousins arrive, then Nan, then aunts and uncles, friends of family, and friends of friends.
Standing majestic amid the discarded wrapping paper, the Christmas tree flashes and glitters with homemade ornaments, and old-fashioned carols play on the radio while children race in shouting packs from one room to the next trying out their new toys. Our home is filled with laughter, joy, and a raucous Christmas spirit.
But there is one major problem with all of this. Mom and Dad have not had their coffee yet! We have not had a second to make breakfast, and it is still a long time until lunch. This houseful of people, starting with our sweet babes, will quickly spiral out of control if we don’t serve some tasty food to fuel their Christmas morning.
Leave it to the Swedish Tea Ring to save the day. This regal cousin of the cinnamon roll makes the perfect holiday breakfast. It’s simply beautiful. The ring displays its colors as its goodness gushes out while it bakes. Then icing tops it off like an exquisite frost. The children gently tear apart their own pieces. Of all things in our house on Christmas morning, the tea ring gets the most respect.
This dish is not “health food,” but it is much healthier than the standard cinnamon rolls. The bread is dense and delicious. The filling of dried fruit and nuts gives an energy boost. The cardamom and cinnamon create a unique balance of flavor. The natural sweetness makes this dish work.
Best of all, the Swedish Tea Ring can be prepared the day before and simply set out for breakfast: instant goodness on the table ready to be devoured.
Swedish Tea Ring
Serves: 8
Prep time: 30 minutes
Inactive prep time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Dough Ingredients:
1 c. whole milk
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. unsalted butter
1 T. active dry yeast
4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. salt
1 egg
Filling Ingredients:
6 T. unsalted butter
4 T. granulated sugar
4 T. light brown sugar
1 T. cinnamon
1 t. ground cardamom
3/4 c. golden raisins, or mixed dry fruit
1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts
Icing Ingredients:
1 c. powdered sugar
1 T. milk
1/2 t. vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Combine milk, sugar, and butter over medium-low heat and cook until butter is melted. Let cool to lukewarm (around 100°F) and add yeast. Set mixture aside and let it ferment until foamy bubbles form. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add milk mixture and egg to dry ingredients and knead for about 5 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Cover with a tea towel until dough doubles in size (about 1-1½ hours).
Heat butter in a small pan over low heat until melted. Meanwhile, combine sugars, cinnamon, and cardamom in a bowl. Add melted butter to sugar mixture and mix until a paste is formed.
On a floured surface, roll dough out to an oblong rectangle (about 6”x 16”) about ½” in thickness. With a spatula, spread a thin, even layer of sugar-cinnamon filling to cover the dough’s surface. Sprinkle dried fruits and nuts evenly across the dough’s surface. Starting with a long end, roll the dough inward, forming a Swiss roll. Bring the ends of the roll together, and pinch all of the seams together to seal them. Using a sharp knife, cut the ring ¾ of the way through, leaving the center of the ring intact. Repeat this cut, every 1½”. Rotate each piece of dough until the cut portion faces upward. Cover the ring with a clean, dry cloth and let proof.
In a small bowl, combine ingredients for icing. Bake ring for 25 minutes, until dough is golden brown and sounds hollow when thumped. Let cool on a cooling rack and drizzle with prepared icing prior to serving.
