Already craving it

One of our family traditions is to eat microwaved big slices of this special coffee cake on Christmas morning after everyone has opened the presents. My mom only makes it for Christmas, and if you read the directions you will see it must be made ahead of time. It's sooooo good. We all forgot one year, and I was terribly disappointed. So now I remind mom!

Christmas Coffee Cake

Cream Cheese Braids

1 cup commercial sour cream
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup melted butter or margarine
2 packages dry yeast
½ cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Filling (recipe follows)
Glaze (recipe follows)


Heat sour cream over low heat; stir in sugar, salt, and butter; cool to lukewarm. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large mixing bowl, stirring until yeast dissolves. Add sour cream mixture, eggs, and flour; mix well. Cover tightly; refrigerate overnight.

The next day, divide dough into four equal parts; roll out each part on a well-floured board into a 12- by 8-inch rectangle. Spread one-fourth of Cream Cheese Filling on each rectangle; roll up jellyroll fashion, beginning at long sides. Pinch edges together, and fold ends under slightly; place the rolled seam side down on greased baking sheets.

Slit each roll at 2-inch intervals about two-thirds of way through dough to resemble a braid. Cover and let rise in a warm place, free from drafts, until doubled in bulk (about 1 hour). Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Spread with glaze while warm. Yield: 4 (12-inch) loaves.


Cream Cheese Filling

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese softened
¾ cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine cream cheese and sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add egg, salt, and vanilla; mix well. Yield: about 2 cups.

Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; mix well. Yield: about 1 cup.

(Mom's advice: sprinkle red and green sugar on the glaze for decoration. Also, she has never had success dividing the recipe. Make lots!)