Holiday Biscuit Bubble Ring Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons sugar, divided
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/3 cup chopped red candied cherries
• GLAZE:
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Directions

• Cut cream cheese into 20 pieces. Roll each into a ball; cover and refrigerate. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the flour, 2 tablespoons sugar and baking powder. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk just until moistened.
• Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead about 8-10 times.
• Roll out into a 15-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar. Sprinkle 5 teaspoons cinnamon-sugar over dough; set remaining mixture aside.
• Cut dough into twenty 3-in. squares. Place one cream cheese ball in center of each. Fold dough around ball; pinch seams to seal. Roll in 2 tablespoons melted butter.
• In a small bowl, combine the pecans, cherries and remaining butter; spoon half into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Sprinkle with half of the remaining cinnamon-sugar. Place 10 balls, seam side up, over topping. Repeat layers.
• Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine glaze ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour over bread. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 6-8 servings.

Holiday Biscuit Bubble Ring published in Best of Country Breads , p28