Description
This Christmas Tea Ring with Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling is a festive and delicious sweet bread that’s perfect for holiday baking. The soft and fluffy dough is filled with a luscious cream cheese mixture and tangy raspberry preserves, then twisted into a beautiful ring shape. Drizzled with a sweet glaze and topped with your choice of decorations, this tea ring is sure to impress your family and guests during the holiday season.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
For the Raspberry Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raspberry preserves or jam
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (optional)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles, sliced almonds, or crushed freeze-dried raspberries (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of the flour with sugar, yeast, and salt. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter until warm. Add warm milk mixture and eggs to the flour mixture. Beat until smooth. Stir in remaining flour until a soft dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside raspberry preserves and optional fresh raspberries.
- Shape the Tea Ring: Punch down dough and roll out into a 10×16-inch rectangle. Spread cream cheese mixture over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spoon raspberry preserves over the cream cheese and dot with fresh raspberries if using. Roll up tightly from the long side to form a log. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together. Use kitchen scissors to make cuts 1 inch apart, about 2/3 of the way through the ring. Gently twist each slice slightly to expose filling. Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly.
- Glaze and Serve: Mix glaze ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over warm (not hot) tea ring and garnish with festive toppings if desired.
Notes
- You can use store-bought jam and cream cheese to save time.
- Freeze before glazing for easy holiday prep.
- Best served slightly warm, but also delicious at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, European-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
