Cinnamon Christmas Bread

This beautiful braided Cinnamon Christmas Bread uses frozen bread rolls and is filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and pecans. A perfect for a last minute gift idea for family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

15 frozen yeast dinner rolls, thawed but still cold
1/4 cup butter
½ cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup golden raisins, softened
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Holiday sprinkles
Vanilla Glaze1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon milk

• Place rolls at room temperature until the rolls are thawed but still cold.
• Spray counter lightly with non stick baking spray.
• Combine rolls into a ball and roll into a 12 x 16 rectangle.
• Add the raisins to a bowl and add very hot water over the raisins.
• Let the raisins soak until plump, Drain and set aside.
• In a medium size bowl combine the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and set aside.
• Down the center of the dough evenly spread the cinnamon mixture.
• Add the raisins and pecans.
• Using a pizza cutter, cut about 12 slices on each side of the filling mixture.
• Starting at the top of the dough, criss-cross the pieces over each other.
• Place the dough braid on a lightly greased baking sheet or on a sheet or use parchment paper
• Let rise until double in size (about 45 min to 1 hour).
• Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown.
• To make the glaze combine the milk and the powdered sugar in a small bowl
• Mix until you have a pourable glaze.
• Drizzle the warm cinnamon raisin bread with vanilla glaze and add holiday sprinkles.
• Place the Christmas bread onto a tray or piece of sturdy cardboard covered with foil.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and add a festive holiday bow and gift tag.

Alternate filling...
4 ounces cream cheese mixed with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar can be substituted for the cinnamon filling.
Sprinkle ½ cup dried cranberries or dried cherries and ¼ cup white chocolate chips over the cream cheese filling.

Recipe: Mommys Kitchen