Quick Christmas Braid

submitted by Joyce Warrick
country of origin: Europe

Ingredients
1 one lb loaf frozen bread dough
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped pecans

•Glaze•

1 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
4 to 5 tsp milk
red sugar
pecan halves

Directions
Thaw frozen dough completely. Roll to 12" square. Cut in 3 strips. Spread butter down lengthwise center of each strip. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over butter. Top with chopped pecans. Bring dough up around filling, sealing edges, to form 3 ropes. Place on greased baking sheet, and loosely braid. Let rise until double; about 30 minutes. Bake at 375 ̊F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cover braid with foil last few minutes if necessary to prevent over- browning. While this is baking, combine confectioner's sugar and enough milk to make a thin glaze. Drizzle glaze over braid while still warm. Sprinkle with red sugar. Top with pecan halves.

• preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• makes: 10-12 servings
• If you can't find frozen bread dough, use one of the bread recipes to make up enough for one loaf. If you use a bread maker, begin forming braid after dough has completed the first rising.