Are you craving a warm, comforting treat that's perfect for a cozy afternoon tea or a special occasion? Look no further than this incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy Swedish Tea Ring recipe! This classic pastry is known for its soft, cardamom-spiced dough, sweet and buttery filling, and irresistible sugary topping. It's the perfect homemade cooking project, even for beginner bakers, and guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Get ready to enjoy one of the best recipes for a delightful, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 1 cup warm milk (105-115°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tablespoon cardamom (ground)
For the Filling:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Topping:
- ½ cup pearl sugar (or coarse sugar)
Instructions:
Making the Dough:
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This ensures your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
- Add wet ingredients: Add the egg and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Whisk well to combine.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour and cardamom, mixing with a wooden spoon or a stand mixer with a dough hook until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for about 5 minutes.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preparing the Filling and Shaping the Ring:
- Make the filling: While the dough is rising, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Roll out the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently and roll it out into a large rectangle (approximately 12x18 inches).
- Spread the filling: Evenly spread the butter-sugar-cinnamon mixture over the dough.
- Roll it up: Starting from the long side, tightly roll the dough into a log.
- Form the ring: Gently join the ends of the log to form a ring. Place the ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Second rise: Cover the ring loosely with plastic wrap and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until slightly puffy.
Baking and Serving:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the topping: Sprinkle the pearl sugar generously over the risen ring.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the tea ring cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm with a cup of tea or coffee!
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of butter and margarine for the filling.
- Add raisins, cranberries, or chopped nuts to the filling for extra texture and flavor.
- If you don't have pearl sugar, you can use coarse sugar or even granulated sugar.
- This recipe is easily adaptable; feel free to experiment with different spices like nutmeg or allspice.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days or frozen for longer storage.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 300-350, Fat: 15-20g, Carbohydrates: 40-45g, Protein: 4-5g. (Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients used.)
This Swedish Tea Ring is a delightful addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and healthy meals. It's a perfect quick dinner idea for a special occasion or a simple weeknight treat. The homemade cooking process is straightforward, resulting in a delicious dish everyone will love. Enjoy baking!