Chocolate Walnut Ring

This is an adaptation of my wife's recipe. It's terrific for a holiday brunch or as a midmorning snack.

Chocolate Walnut Ring

Average Rating: 4.5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 55 min. + rising Bake: 20 min. + cooling
YIELD: 20 servings.

Ingredients

  • 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup 2% milk
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature

  • FILLING:
  • 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar

  • GLAZE:
  • 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 to 4 teaspoons whole milk

Instructions

  • 1. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, yeast, cinnamon and salt. In a small saucepan, heat milk, water, butter and oil to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add egg and yolk; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
  • 2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Combine filling ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.
  • 3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Roll into an 18x9-in. rectangle; sprinkle with filling to within 1 in. of edges. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; seal ends.
  • 4. Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet; pinch ends together to form a ring. With scissors, cut from outside edge two-thirds of the way toward center of ring at 1-in. intervals. Separate strips slightly; twist to allow filling to show. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 40 minutes.
  • 5. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over ring.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 175 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.