I usually make the Swedish Tea Ring in conjunction with the Nun’s/Sister’s Cake. Most often, I opt to make the Tea Ring with almonds and the Nun’s cake for those who prefer no nuts. Variety pleases everyone on Christmas or New Year’s morning! The recipe is adapted from The Great Scandinavian Baking Book, but of course I always put my own “flair” in when baking – so this is how I would do it!

Ingredients *this recipe makes enough dough for two cinnamon roll pans one for now, and one for a friend or to be frozen for a later date! Hooray!*

Dough:
2 packages active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (again- just run hot tap water, this is fine)
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
3 slightly beaten eggs
1 teaspoon salt
4.5-5 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:
1 cup softened butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Brush before baking for golden color with:
1 slightly beaten egg
2 Tablespoons milk

Icing:
1 cup of powdered sugar
A few tablespoons of heavy cream or half and half (just enough to dissolve the sugar)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions: Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup sugar, the eggs, salt, and mix in 4.5-5 cups of flour until the dough is smooth. Cover and refrigerate 2-24 hours.

Sprinkle the counter with flour. Separate the dough into four equal parts. Set three parts aside and roll out one. Spread a thin layer of butter to the edge. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the butter. Roll as for a jelly roll.

Slice each piece (about 2 inches wide) and place side by side in a lightly greased spring-form pan. Repeat this action with the other three balls of dough.

Cover with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place until the dough has nearly doubled in size. This takes anywhere from 45-60 minutes. Mix the egg and milk, and brush the top of each Nun’s cake. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

Drizzle with the icing while they are still hot, and serve.

Simply stated, they are traditional super delicious cinnamon swirl rolls. Cinna-bon has nothing on these home-bakery goodies. Seriously. Now, go get baking!

Posted by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo / totally delicious dishes