Mott's Applesauce Wreaths

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 eggs
• apple filling:
• 1 cup mott's® natural applesauce
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• frosting (optional):
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 4 teaspoons evaporated milk, or as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs 35 mins


• combine 1 1/2 cup flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt in a large bowl. over low heat in a small saucepan, heat evaporated milk, butter, and water until very warm (120 degrees to 130 degrees f).
• gradually stir warm milk mixture into flour mixture. beat 2 minutes at medium speed with electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. add eggs and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. with a mixing spoon, add enough flour to make a stiff dough. cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
• lightly oil two baking sheets.
• remove dough from refrigerator. punch dough down. place on a lightly floured surface. roll to 21- by 12-inch rectangle. sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on rolled out dough. spread mott's applesauce to within 1/2 inch of edges. fold crosswise into thirds to form a 12- by 7-inch rectangle. press edges to seal.
• cut dough into 12 (1-inch) strips. holding ends of each strip, twist three times and pinch together ends of each twisted strip to form a wreath. place wreaths on prepared baking sheets. cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until nearly doubled in size, about 30 to 45 minutes.
• preheat oven to 400 degrees f (200 degrees c).
• bake 6 minutes; then switch positions of sheets so wreaths brown evenly. continue baking 6 to 9 more minutes or until done. remove wreaths from baking sheets; let cool on wire racks. frost wreaths, if desired.
• frosting: combine confectioners' sugar, 4 teaspoons evaporated milk, and vanilla. stir until smooth, adding another teaspoon of evaporated milk if needed for desired consistency.