Directions

• In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt. In
• a small saucepan, heat the sour cream, water and water to
• 120°-130°; add to dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for
• 2 minutes. Add eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes longer. 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, about 1-1/2
• hours.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring cranberries and water to a
• boil. Cover and boil gently for 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup brown
• sugar. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until
• thickened, stirring occasionally. Cool. Combine the pecans, softened
• butter, cinnamon and remaining brown sugar; set aside.
• Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in
• half. Roll each into a 14-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Brush each with 1
• tablespoon melted butter. Spread half of the pecan mixture. Roll up,
• jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal.
• Brush with remaining melted butter.
• To form a tree from each log, cut a 2-in. piece from one end for a
• tree trunk; set aside. Then cut each log into 15 slices. Cover two
• baking sheets with foil and grease well. Center one slice near the
• top of each prepared baking sheet.
• Arrange slice with sides touching in four more rows, adding one slice
• for each row, forming a tree. Center the reserved slice lengthwise
• below the tree for trunk. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45
• minutes.
• Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
• In a saucepan, heat corn syrup over low heat. Transfer foil with
• trees onto wire racks; brush with corn syrup. Cool for 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar and milk. Fill a
• small pastry or plastic bag; cut a small hole in corner of bag. Pipe
• on trees for garlands. Garnish with cranberries and candied
• cherries. Yield: 2 trees (16 rolls each).