This beautiful and delicious ladder loaf makes a wonderful addition to any special occasion. You can use any fruit jam of your choice.
Ingredients
3 3/4 - 4 1/2 c. flour
1 package quick rise yeast
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. butter, cubed
1/4 c. water
1 egg
1/2 tsp. almond extract
Filling
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/4 c. sugar
3 Tablespoons flour
1 egg yolk
1/3 c. seedless strawberry jam (or any fruit jam of your choice)
Directions
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and baking powder. In a sauce pan, heat the buttermilk, sour cream, butter, and water to 120-130 degrees, stirring constantly. Add this to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the egg, extract, and 1/2 cup flour. Beat 2 minutes longer. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, and egg yolk until smooth. Set aside.
Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a 12-in x 10-in rectangle. Place on greased baking sheets. Spread the cream cheese mixture down the center of each rectangle. Stir the jam and spoon over cheese mixture.
On the long side, cut 3/4 in wide strips about 2 1/2 in into the center. Make sure you cut the same number of strips on the second long side to match the first. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across the filling in the center.
Pinch ends of roll to seal. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 for 15-19 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Store in fridge once cooled and for leftovers.
Yield: 2 loaves
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