Apricot Braids Recipe

Ingredients

• 2-1/4 cups chopped dried apricots
• 1-1/2 cups water, divided
• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs, beaten
• GLAZE:
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

• In a saucepan, bring apricots and 1/2 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until water is absorbed and fruit is tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor; add brown sugar. Cover and process until smooth.
• In a bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat butter and remaining water to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
• Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40-45 minutes.
• Punch dough down; divide into thirds. On greased baking sheets; roll out each portion into a 12-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Spread filling down the center of each rectangle. On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips about 2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
• Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over braids. Yield: 3 braids.

Apricot Braids published in Taste of Home February/March 2002, p65