Swedish Tea Rings

Swedish Tea Rings, a delightful and sweet treat of Sweden, has found a special place in the heart of Myra Pratt from Fairview, Pennsylvania, despite her Polish and German descent. This scrumptious pastry holds sentimental value as it was a must-have during Easter breakfast in her family. The delicate ring-shaped bread, resembling a cinnamon roll, is known in Sweden as vetekrans or coffee cake, as it pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup cold butter
• 1 package (¼ ounce) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup warm water (110° to 115°)
• ¼ cup warm evaporated milk (110° to 115°)
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup dried currants or raisins

PREPARATIONS:

1. In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. In another large bowl, dissolve the yeast and remaining sugar in warm water. Add the warm evaporated milk, egg, and crumb mixture; beat until well blended. Stir in dried currants. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough overnight.
2. Line two baking sheets with foil and grease the foil; set aside. For the filling, in a small bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in chopped pecans.
3. Punch down the dough and turn it onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half and roll each portion into a 14×7-inch rectangle. Spread the filling to within ½ inch of the edges. Roll up each rectangle jelly-roll style, starting with a long side, and pinch the seams to seal.
4. Place the loaves seam side down on the prepared pans and pinch the ends together to form rings. With scissors, cut from the outside edge two-thirds of the way toward the center of the rings at 1-inch intervals. Separate the strips slightly and twist them to allow the filling to show. Cover the rings and let them rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.
5. Bake the Swedish Tea Rings at 350°F for 18-22 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Remove the rings from the pans and let them cool on wire racks.
6. For the browned butter glaze, cook the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan until it turns lightly browned, stirring constantly. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to achieve the desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the pastry rings.

YIELD:

• 2 pastry rings (12-16 servings each)

COOKING TIME:

• 25 minutes (prep time)
• 20 minutes (bake time)
• Cooling time not specified

TIPS:

• Swedish Tea Rings are perfect for serving with coffee or tea, making them a delightful addition to breakfast or teatime gatherings.

Swedish Tea Rings, known as vetekrans or coffee cake in Sweden, have become a cherished tradition for Myra Pratt and her family in Fairview, Pennsylvania, despite their Polish and German heritage. This delightful ring-shaped sweet bread, with its enticing aroma and flavorful filling, has found a place of honor on their Easter breakfast table.

The unique charm of Swedish Tea Rings lies in their resemblance to cinnamon rolls, but they stand out with their elegant ring shape, cut and twisted to showcase the delectable filling. The combination of tender pastry, enriched with butter, and the nutty goodness of pecans in the filling makes each bite a delight.

The process of creating these pastry rings takes a bit of time, with an overnight chilling period for the dough, but the result is well worth the anticipation. Once baked to golden perfection, the rings are adorned with a luscious browned butter glaze that adds a final touch of sweetness.

Swedish Tea Rings are not only a delightful Easter tradition but also a perfect accompaniment to a warm cup of coffee or tea, making them a welcome treat for gatherings and teatime indulgence throughout the year.

In conclusion, Swedish Tea Rings are a sweet and cherished delight from Sweden, embraced warmly by Myra Pratt and her family in Pennsylvania. The combination of rich flavors, from the flaky pastry to the delightful filling, makes these pastry rings a delightful treat for any occasion, especially when served alongside a cup of coffee or tea.