Cinnamon Almond Coffeecake

Coffeecakes can also be made into a heart, horseshoe or other desired shapes. After forming, cut dough as directed above in recipe. A single dried fruit such as apricots, pears or apples can be substituted for the mixed dried fruit, if desired.

Cinnamon Almond Coffeecake Directions

Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounces) package hot roll mix
• teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 3/4 cup Equal® Spoonful (or 18 packets of Equal sweetener)
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons stick butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
• 3/4 cup very hot tap water
• 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven to 350 °F
2. Combine flour and yeast from hot roll mix in medium bowl.
3. Add spices, lemon peel and 3/4 cup Equal®; mix well.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients except Mixed Fruit Filling and almonds, to make soft dough.
5. Knead dough on lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes or until smooth. Cover dough with bowl and let dough stand 15 minutes.
6. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll 1 piece on floured surface into 20 x 6-inch rectangle. Spread half of Mixed Fruit Filling over dough to within 1-inch of edges. Roll up dough, beginning with long edge.
7. Place dough, seam side down, on sprayed baking sheet. Shape dough into a ring, pinching ends together to seal.
8. Cut around sides of ring with scissors, cutting through center of dough and leaving top and bottom of ring uncut.
9. Gently open cut surfaces of dough to expose filling. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
10. Let stand in warm place about 45 minutes or until dough doubles in size.
11. Bake coffeecakes in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until dough is browned. Slide the coffeecakes onto wire racks to cool.
12. Sprinkle with almonds if desired.
13. Serve immediately or once coffeecake is cool.

Mixed Fruit Filling Directions

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups chopped mixed dried fruit.
• 1 1/2 cups apple cider or unsweetened apple juice.
• 1 cup Equal® Spoonful (or 24 packets of Equal sweetener).
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel.

Directions

1. Combine dried fruit, apple cider, 1 cup Equal® and 1 teaspoon lemon peel in medium saucepan.
2. Heat to boiling then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes or until cider is almost evaporated, stirring occasionally.
3. Cool and set aside.

Food Exchanges: 1 1/2 fruit, 1 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

Recipe provided courtesy of Merisant Corporation ® and the NutraSweet Company, makers of Equal®.