Maple Christmas Ring Loaf

Ingredients

• 5 ml (1 tsp) maple sugar
• 1 packet of dried yeast
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) warm water
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) milk
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) softened butter
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) maple sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 750 ml (3 cups) all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, beaten
• Garnish
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) maple butter
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) almond powder
• 2 - 250 g (8.5 oz.) packages of cream cheese
• 125 ml (1/2 cup) dried cranberries
• Melted butter
• Maple sugar flakes

Preparatiion

1. In a bowl, dissolve maple sugar and yeast in warm water, and let sit for 10 minutes. In a casserole, heat milk, butter, maple sugar and salt until fully dissolved. Pour into a large bowl, add half of the flour and the yeast mixture, and beat well using a whisk. Add beaten egg and the remaining flour and knead well.
2. Place dough on a well-floured surface, cover with a clean cloth and let rise for 1.5 hrs.. Meanwhile, mix maple butter and almond powder until you obtain a smooth consistency. Set the almond mixture aside. Then take the dough that has risen and roll it out into a rectangle.
3. Spread it with cream cheese, then scatter on it pieces of the almond mixture and dried cranberries. Roll up length-wise to make a thick roll, then pinch the ends together to form a ring. Seal the edges. Place the ring on a cookie sheet laid with wax paper.
4. Using scissors, make deep cuts at 5 cm (2 inch) intervals, but do not cut slices apart. Instead, twist each slice and lay it over the previous one. Cover with a clean cloth and let rest for 45 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Baste the ring loaf with melted butter and sprinkle with maple sugar flakes. Bake for 35 minutes.