There is something truly magical about the aroma of cinnamon and yeast dough wafting through a home on a quiet weekend morning. This Scandinavian-inspired coffee cake is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat, featuring a striking ribbon-like design that is sure to impress your brunch guests. With its tender crumb and crunchy walnut finish, it is the perfect companion for a hot cup of coffee.

Recipe Details

  • Yields: 1 cake
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: ≈ 3 hours

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm (not hot) water
  • 3 cup sifted enriched Flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • melted butter, or margarine
  • 2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • chopped walnuts

Instructions

  1. Begin by scalding the milk in a small saucepan.
  2. Mix in the shortening, sugar, and salt.
  3. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved, then set it aside to cool until it reaches a lukewarm temperature.
  4. In a separate container, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and combine this with your cooled milk mixture.
  5. Blend in half of the sifted flour and the beaten eggs, beating the batter thoroughly until well combined.
  6. Slowly add the rest of the flour until you have formed a soft dough.
  7. Move the dough onto a surface that has been lightly floured and knead it until it is elastic and smooth.
  8. Place the dough into a greased bowl and lightly brush the top with shortening. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a cozy, warm spot (ideally between 80°-85°F) until it has doubled in size, which should take about 2 hours.
  9. After the rise, turn the dough out onto your floured board and roll it into a rectangle measuring 8 by 12 inches.
  10. Generously brush the surface of the dough with melted butter or margarine.
  11. Evenly distribute the brown sugar and cinnamon over the buttered surface.
  12. Roll the dough up tightly, similar to a jelly roll. Place it onto a greased baking sheet and curve it into a ring, pinching the ends together to seal them.
  13. Using a sharp knife or kitchen shears, cut from the outside of the ring toward the center. Make these cuts about 1 inch apart, being careful not to cut completely through the ring.
  14. Gently tilt and fan the resulting slices out to the side to create the signature ribbon look.
  15. Brush the ring with shortening, cover it, and allow it to rise again for roughly 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in bulk.
  16. While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  17. Bake the cake for 25 to 30 minutes.
  18. While the ring is still warm, drizzle it with a confectioners' sugar icing and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.

Tips for Success

For the best results, ensure your water for the yeast is warm but not hot, as high temperatures can kill the yeast. When fanning out the slices, try to keep the spacing even to ensure the cake bakes uniformly and creates a stunning visual centerpiece. Using a warm, draft-free area for the rising stages is essential for achieving that light, airy texture.

We hope you enjoy the process of creating this elegant pastry and sharing it with your loved ones!