Christmas Morning Coffeecake

Almond Cream Cheese Coffeecake

Dough

Half a cup of sugar
Half a cup of butter at room temperature
Half a teaspoon of salt
Instant yeast, 2 packages (quarter ounce), or 4 1/2 teaspoons
Half a cup of warm water (110deg-115deg).
2 eggs lightly beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
8 ounces of almond paste

Glaze

2 cups confectioners' sugar
Milk, 2 to 4 tbsp.
Half a teaspoon of almond extract

How to Make Dough:

Mix the flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.

In a bowl with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the water and egg and beat until well mixed.

Mix in the flour, until the dough forms a ball.

Use the dough hook to knead for 5 minutes, or until the dough is soft and smooth.

Remove the dough onto a floured work surface. Return the dough back to the bowl after greasing it. Cover the dough and allow it to rise for 45 minutes to an hour.

Make the filling:

As the dough rises, prepare the filling. Beat the cream cheese and almond paste until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Assembly:

Cover a large pan with parchment. I use a pizza pan.

Roll the dough into a large rectangular shape, approximately 20 x 14.

Spread the filling over the dough. Leave a border of half an inch all around.

Roll up the dough from the long end (jelly roll style). Seal the edges tightly. Roll the roll in a circle, and then pinch the ends to create a ring.

Place the cake in the pan. Cut the dough at intervals of 1 inch using kitchen scissors.

Cover the ring with plastic wrap, or a kitchen cloth for an hour. The ring will almost double in size.

Baking:

Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 325 degrees F.

The crust should be golden brown after 35-40 minutes of baking.

Remove the pan and let it cool on a rack. Wrap the cake well and freeze it until the day before christmas. Defrost at room temperature for overnight.

On Christmas morning

How to make the glaze

Mix the powdered milk, almond extract and powdered sugar to form a frosting. Pour the frosting over the cake. If desired, sprinkle with almond slices or red cherries. Let the glaze set before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Mediterranean fruits?

You will find fruits like oranges, grapes melons, melons, pears and dates in the Mediterranean Diet. For extra nutrition, add fresh fruits to your breakfast options like smoothie bowls and parfaits. Dates spread over toast with a dollop of Greek yogurt are also an excellent option for breakfast; it provides natural sweetness without the need for processed sugars. Also, fresh fruit can be added to salads and can satisfy sweet-taste cravings. You can also enjoy healthy snacks like nuts, seeds and almonds. Also, dark chocolate may be a good option for antioxidants. Discover the diverse local foods that are considered to be staples in Mediterranean countries and enjoy the rich flavors of this ancient diet.

Is the Mediterranean Diet suitable for people suffering from certain health conditions like diabetes?

The Mediterranean Diet is a good choice for those with diabetes. This diet emphasizes whole foods, minimizes refined sugars or carbs, and places more emphasis on healthy fats than butter or oil. This helps reduce diabetes risk in people who don't already have it. It also controls blood sugar levels and insulin for those with diabetes. Light exercise can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. You can make healthy food choices such as substituting white bread for whole-grain bread, or adding nuts to your salads in place of crackers. This will help you to manage many health conditions.

How do I start the Mediterranean diet

To get started on the Mediterranean diet, begin by stocking your kitchen with fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. This could mean that you prepare different vegetables and protein every week, which can then be used in recipes the following day. Whole grains such as quinoa, millet, and oat-groats are great alternatives to refined grains. To add flavor and nutrients to meals, healthy fats like olive and sesame need to be used in the meal preparation. Garlic, oregano basil, garlic, and turmeric all make great additions for meals.

Statistics

• Choose fat-free or 1% milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
• Benefits of Replacing foods high in saturated fats (like butter) with plant sources high in monounsaturated fatty acids, like olive oil, may help lower the risk of heart disease by 19 percent, according to research. (everydayhealth.com)
• In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)
• One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

[TAG59]

• Mediterranean Diet Beginner's Guide: Ranked #1 Best Diet in 2023 | U.S. News


• Top Diets for 2023 - Expertly Review - US News Health

[TAG62]

• (PDF). The Association Between Dietary Patterns AND Insulin Resistance: Systematic Review


• (PDF). Citrus as a Mediterranean Diet Component

[TAG65]

• American Heart Association


• What is the Mediterranean Diet (or Mediterranean Diet)? American Heart Association

[TAG68]

• Health Benefits from the Mediterranean Diet: Metabolic & Molecular Mechanisms – PubMed


• PubMed: The Mediterranean Diet and Cardiovascular Health

How To

How to Incorporate Mediterranean-Inspired Foods into Your Daily Meals?

A Mediterranean diet can improve your quality of life and overall health. This eating approach emphasizes the inclusion of healthy fats, wholegrains, legumes, fresh fruit and vegetables in everyday meals. These eating habits can provide health benefits like better blood lipids, glucose control, reduced chance of depression and certain types cancer, better heart health, improved cognitive function, weight management and better overall health. Incorporating Mediterranean-inspired foods into your diet can be done with ease by following several helpful tips:

1. You can swap high-calorie snacks such as chips for nutritious vegetables like hummus appetizers, traditional greens and beans dishes.
2. Learn how spices and other ingredients can be used to enhance the variety of your diet.
3. Integrate grains, legumes, and high-fiber items that can help enhance satiety after meals.
4. To get more nutrition, include moderate amounts yogurt, cheese, or milk throughout the day.
5. Instead of traditional oils, you can use olive oil as your primary cooking fat.
6. Enjoy a glass of red wine occasionally to round out the Mediterranean experience.

It takes time and effort to change your daily meal plan to adopt Mediterranean eating patterns. They can reap potential health benefits while still enjoying the food they eat. When combined with regular vigorous exercise, you could experience even greater gains in both short-term results and long-term health benefits.

Resources:

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