Christmas Tree Coffee Cake

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02

Title: Christmas Tree Coffee Cake
Categories: Breads, Cakes, Yeast
Yield: 2 cakes

1 Cake compressed yeast; or...
1 pk -Dry yeast
3/4 c Milk; scalded
1/4 c Sugar
1 ts Salt
1/3 c Butter or margarine
3 c Sifted all-purpose flour
-- (plus more as necessary)
2 Eggs; beaten
1 c Quaker Oats, uncooked
-- (quick or old-fashioned)
1/2 c Diced mixed candied fruits

Soften yeast in lukewarm water. (Use warm water for dry yeast.) Pour
scalded milk over sugar, salt and butter. Cool to lukewarm. Stir in 1
cup flour and eggs. Add softened yeast and oats. Combine 1/4 cup flour
and candied fruits; stir to coat fruits evenly with flour. Add to dough;
mix well. Stir in enough more flour to make a soft dough.

Turn out on lightly floured board or canvas; knead until smooth and
satiny, about 10 minutes. Round dough into ball; place in greased bowl;
brush lightly wtih melted shortening. Cover and let rise in warm place
until double in size, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down; cover; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. From
one half, pinch off 17 pieces of dough; shape to form balls. Arrange
balls in the shape of a Christmas tree on greased cooky sheet. Brush
lightly with melted butter. Repeat with other half of dough. Cover; let
rise in warm place until nearly double in size, about 1 hour.

Bake in preheated moderate oven (375 F.) about 20 minutes. Decorate with
confectioners' sugar frosting and candied citron.

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l ()() l Source: Our Favorites for family and friends
l ()()() l Reprinted with permission from The Quaker Oats Co.
l ()()()() l Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias
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