Swedish Tea Ring

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

1 ring (24 slices)

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
My mother used to prepare this delightful Swedish tea ring in the ’40s, and it’s still a favorite today. Maraschino cherries add a festive touch. —Elsie Epp, Newton, Kansas

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 5-1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, patted dry
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ICING:
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons fat-free milk

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, oil, egg whites, salt and 1 cup flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
  2. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray, turning once to coat the top. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  3. Combine the walnuts, cherries, brown sugar and cinnamon; set aside. Punch dough down; roll into an 18x12-in. rectangle. Brush with butter; sprinkle with nut mixture 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 14-in. pizza pan coated with cooking spray; pinch ends together to form a ring. With scissors, cut from outside edge two-thirds of the way toward center of ring at scant 1-in. intervals. Separate strips slightly; twist to allow filling to show. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes.
  5. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.
  6. In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; drizzle over tea ring.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 196 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 142mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.