Maple Rings

The Christmas season is one of my most favorite seasons. I Love all of the happiness and cheer all around and the fun and cute decoration. But lets be honest here. One of the main reasons I love it so much is because of all of the yummy treats we get to make and eat! Growing up my mom used to make maple rings every Christmas morning. It has become a wonderful family tradition that I look forward to doing with my own children. These are so moist and delicious and topped with a cream cheese maple frosting! They get my husbands stamp of approval since he has asked me to make them twice now and we are barely into the month of December.  (the dough recipe I use is made for a bread machine but any sweet dough, or cinnamon roll recipe dough, will work.)

Recipe- {makes 2}
Dough-
1 C milk
1 egg beaten
4 Tbsp melted butter
4 Tbsp water
1/2 box instant vanilla pudding (3.4 oz box)
4 C bread flour
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tsp salt
2 1/2 Tsp yeast
1 Tbsp maple extract

Filling- 
1/2 C Sugar
1/4 C brown Sugar
1/3 C chopped pecans
1 Tsp cinnamon
1 Tsp maple extract

Frosting-
4 oz cream cheese {room temp}
1/4 C softened butter
1 1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 Tsp vanilla
1 1/2 Tsp milk
3 Tbsp Maple syrup

Directions-

Place all dough ingredients in your bread machine as listed. Place the pan in your machine, select the dough cycle and press start. When the dough is done, take out if the machine and divide the dough into 6 equal parts. Flour your preparation surface and roll out your first dough ball into a 12 in circle. Place the 12 in circle onto your baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush melted butter on dough and sprinkle 1/6th of the filling on circle. Repeat that same process twice so you end up with three layers. Set a small glass in center of dough and press down to make an indentation. Divide into 16 sections cutting wedges up to the point of your indentation mark. Twist each slice 5 times. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes or until double in size. Bake at 375 for 15-20 min. Watch carefully, they cook fast! Remove from oven and top with frosting.
Enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa or some milk!