Raspberry Cream Cheese Christmas Tea Ring

Here’s a delightful recipe for a Christmas Tea Ring with a raspberry cream cheese filling that’s perfect for your holiday brunch. It’s not only delicious but also a beautiful addition to your festive spread.

Ingredients:

• For the Brioche Dough:

  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 packet dry active yeast (about 1 3/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3/4 cup melted butter
  • 4 1/2 cups flour (plus more for dusting)
  • Alternatively, for a quicker option, use 2 cans of crescent roll sheets pressed together.

• For the Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, regular or light
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

• For the Glaze and Toppings:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 teaspoons milk
  • Additional raspberries, sliced almonds, pecans, or turbinado sugar for topping

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • In a large bowl, mix together the water, yeast, salt, eggs, honey, and butter. Stir in the flour until just incorporated. The dough will be sticky but should form a soft texture. Let it rise in a warm place, covered with a damp towel, for about 2 hours. It will be quite sticky and should be chilled overnight in the fridge to make it easier to handle.

2. Make the Filling:

   • Combine the cream cheese, raspberries, brown sugar, and pecans if using. It’s okay if the raspberries break down a bit.

3. Assemble the Tea Ring:

   • Divide the dough in half. Flour each piece generously and roll or press out on a floured surface into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Trim the edges to make them straight.
   • Spread half of the cream cheese mixture on each rectangle, leaving a small margin at the edges. Roll up each rectangle into a long log. Stretch the log gently to lengthen it slightly, then cut off any uneven ends.
   • Form each log into a circle on a baking sheet, pinching the ends together to seal. Chill in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

4. Bake:

   • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Cut into the dough circle every inch, almost all the way through, then fan out the sections slightly.
   • Optional: Brush with a mix of one egg yolk and a teaspoon of milk for a glossy finish.
   • Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. The center should be just set but not overcooked.

5. Finish with Glaze and Toppings:

   • Mix the powdered sugar and milk to make the glaze. Drizzle it over the warm tea ring and sprinkle with your choice of toppings.

Serve this gorgeous tea ring warm for the best experience. It’s sure to impress with its lovely appearance and delicious taste!