Swedish Tea Ring

I have no idea if this particular tea ring actually has any affiliation with Sweden, but it sure is tasty. This is a recipe my Mom always made for very special occasions like Christmas morning, so it brings back a lot of warm and fuzzy memories. I have never actually eaten it with tea . . . . You will certainly be a vegan baking hero if you make this for your family, and it is sure to impress your friends at all the Christmas parties this holiday season.

INGREDIENTS

- 3 1/2 to 4 cups sifted flour

- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

- 1 cup plain soy milk

- 1/4 cup sugar

- 1/4 cup non-hydrogenated shortening

- 1 tsp salt

- 1/4 cup firm silken tofu

- 2 tbsp melted margarine

- 1/2 cup sugar

- 2 tsp cinnamon

- 3/4 cup chopped pecans

METHOD

1. Mix 1 1/2 cups of the flour with yeast in a large bowl.

2. Heat milk, 1/4 cup of sugar, shortening, and salt in a saucepan with high sides on med-lo heat until shortening melts. Add in tofu and blend with a hand blender until very smooth. Alternately, stick it in a blender and blend away. Add to flour.

3. Beat dough with a hand mixer/beater on low for 1 min. Then beat on high for 3 mins until smooth. Add in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead in a counter top mixer with a dough hook, or by hand on a floured surface, until smooth.

4. Place in a clean bowl well greased with margarine, turning dough to coat in margarine. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for an hour and a half, or until doubled in size.

5. Punch dough down and roll into a 10" x 14" rectangle. Brush with melted butter. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, and pecans and sprinkle evenly over dough. Roll up like a jelly roll along the long side and seal the seam. Bring the two ends together and seal the seam (i.e. make a ring). Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

6. Use a serrated knife to cut slices in the dough about 1 inch apart, and about half of the way through the ring (start by the seam and work your way around). Turn each 1" section a bit so they are on a bit of an angle. Cover with a towel and let rise for 45 mins

7. Bake at 350 for 20-25 mins, until outside is a deep golden brown.

8. When cooled but still a bit warm, drizzle with glaze: 1 cup icing sugar mixed with 2 tbsp soymilk and 1/2 tsp vanilla.