sunburst coffeecake

How To Make sunburst coffeecake

• 1

  In a small cup stir yeast into warm water and dissolve for 5 minutes.
• 2

  In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk (110*F), softened (almost melted) shortening, sugar, salt, eggs and dissolved yeast.
• 3

  Add flour one cup at a time. Keep dough as soft as possible, almost sticky, just so you are able to handle it.
• 4

  Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. I use the dough hook on my mixer for 5 minutes.
• 5

  Place in a lightly oiled bowl and turn dough ball to coat evenly. Cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
• 6

  Punch down, cover and let rise again for about 30 minutes longer.
• 7

  Divide dough in half to make desired rolls and coffeecakes. This makes two coffeecakes (directions following) or you can use this basic sweet dough to make cinnamon rolls, Stollen, a Swedish Tea Ring, dinner rolls - just change the shape and be creative - have fun!
• 8

  For my Sunburst coffeecake: Take the first half of the dough and cut it in half again. Roll that quarter of the dough into a circle to fit a pizza pan (14 inch). Put first layer of dough in pan. Spread 2 T. softened butter to cover; sprinkle with 1/4 cup cinnamon/sugar mixture.
• 9

  Roll the remaining quarter piece of dough into same size circle. Place over first layer and repeat using 2 T. softened butter and 1/4 cup cinnamon/sugar.
• 
  10

  Invert a glass (2 1/2"-3" across) and set it gently in the center of the circle. Do not press it down. This will be the "sun". Cut dough into 20 wedges. (I use the first 2 digits of my index finger to measure each sun-ray as I cut). Twist each wedge four times. Remove glass from dough.
• 11

  Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350*F oven for 30 minutes,
• 
  12

  While still slightly warm, top with your favorite cinnamon roll icing or glaze.
• 13

  Repeat process with second half of the dough. These freeze well. If freezing one for later, don't put icing on it. Allow it to thaw, heat slightly in a warm oven, then frost it.
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