Happy National Pastry Day!!

Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here.  And Happy Pastry Day to you all!  

That's right, according to my 'National Day of' calendar, today is National Pastry Day. So in honor of that, I thought I'd share with you the recipe for my very favorite all time pastry.  I received this recipe from a work associate many, MANY years ago--I don't know if it was original to her or if she found it somewhere else.

Sad to say, I've lost touch with that acquaintance over the years but I still have that recipe.   I used to make this pastry every Christmas. Unfortunately it's been quite a few years since I baked up a batch, but thinking of it now makes my mouth water so I may have to find the time to mix up a batch to serve as part of our holiday meal.

Cream Cheese Braid

INGREDIENTS

BREAD

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
• 2 packages dry yeast
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

FILLING

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

GLAZE

• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

TO PREPARE 

• Heat sour cream over low heat.
• Stir in sugar, salt and butter; Stir occasionally until butter melts.
• Cool to lukewarm (105-115 degrees).
• Sprinkle yeast over warm water in large bowl until dissolved and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Add sour cream mixture and eggs. Slowly stir in flour and mix well (dough will be soft).
• Cover tightly and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

AFTER THE DOUGH HAS SET

• Divide dough into 4 equal parts.
• Roll each part on a heavily floured surface to form an 8x12 inch rectangle.
• Spread one fourth of the filling on each rectangle, leaving a 1 inch border around the edges.
• Roll dough jelly roll style beginning at the long side.
• Pinch edges together to seal and fold ends under slightly.
• Place rolls seam side down on greased baking sheets.
• Cut six equally spaced Xs on each roll (approx 2-inch intervals) to resemble a braid.
• Cover with  cloth and let rise 1 hour, in a warm place (85degrees) free from drafts, until dough doubles in bulk (approx 1 hour).
• Bake at 375 degrees for 14 to 18 minutes or until browned.
• Drizzle loaves with glaze while still warm.

Not only is this dessert yummylicious but it is quite pretty as well.
I know this looks a bit complicated but it's really quite simple.  And believe me, it's worth every bit of effort you put into it.

So what about you?  Do you have a favorite pastry?  Care to share?

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

THE HOLIDAY COURTSHIP
(4-1/2 Stars from RT)


He Wanted A Wife by Christmas...

As Christmas approaches, Hank Chandler is determined to find a wife to mother his sister's orphaned children. When schoolteacher Janell Whitman offers to help him with his niece and nephew, she seems to be the perfect match—but she won't accept his proposal. Instead, she insists she'll find him another bride before the holidays. 

Janell moved to Turnabout, Texas, to put her past behind her and focus on her future—one that doesn't include marriage. But while she plays matchmaker and cares for Hank's children, she loses her heart to the two youngsters…and their adoptive father. If Janell reveals her secrets to Hank, will he still want her to be his Christmas bride?

(To view this book on Amazon, click on the book cover.)