Apricot Tea Rings

Total Time

Prep: 45 + rising Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Makes

2 rings (12 slices each)

Updated: Oct. 23, 2022
This coffee cake is a favorite of mine. It's attractive, delicious and cuts like a dream. Sometimes I use convenient canned pie filling when I want a different flavor and I'm pressed for time. -Dot Christiansen Bettendorf, Iowa

Ingredients

  • 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 2 large eggs
  • FILLING:
  • 12 ounces dried apricots, diced
  • 2 cups water
  • 6 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 teaspoons orange juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • GLAZE:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, salt and nutmeg. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water and butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat until moistened. Beat in eggs until smooth. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine apricots and water. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes or until the water is absorbed and apricots are tender. Remove from the heat; stir in the brown sugar, juice and nuts. Cool.
  3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one portion into an 18x12-in. rectangle. Spread half of filling over rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal.
  4. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends together to form a ring. Repeat for second ring. With scissors, cut each from outside edge two-thirds toward center of ring at 1 in. intervals. Separate strips slightly: twist so filling shows, slightly overlapping with previous piece. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  5. Bake at 375° for 25-28 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
  6. In a small bowl, combine confectioner's sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over warm tea rings.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 205 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 132mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein.