Christmas Sugar Plum Ring

This is the Jack family traditional Christmas morning breakfast.

Dough:

1 pkg. dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1/2 cup milk, scalded

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup shortening

1 tsp salt

2 beaten eggs

3 1/2 to 4 cups flour

To assemble:

1/2 cup melted margarine

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup whole almonds

1 jar maraschino cherries

1/3 cup dark corn syrup

In mixing bowl, combine scalded milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Cook to lukewarm, if necessary. Stir in 1 cup flour. Beat well. Combine yeast and warm water together. Add yeast and eggs to dough. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Knead. Cover and let rise until double (1-2 hours. This is the part where you opening presents!) Punch dough down and let rest 10 mins. Divide dough into small walnut-sized balls.

To assemble: Combine cinnamon and sugar. Dip each dough ball into melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Arrange a layer of balls in the bottom of a well-greased bundt or angel food pan (DO NOT use pan that center can be removed from rim!) Sprinkle cherries and almonds around balls, filling in spaces between dough balls. Repeat procedure to make 2 more layers. Mix corn syrup with any remaining butter and cinnamon sugar. (You might need to make more cinnamon sugar) Drizzle over top of dough. Cover and let rise until double, about 1 hour (more presents?!) Bake at 350 for 35 mins. Cool 5 minutes in pan, and then invert pan onto serving plate and remove ring.

Enjoy!