- Prep Time: 1h
- Cook Time: 20m
- Total Time: 1h 20m
Ingredients
- 2 c (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
- 3/4 c (5-fl. oz. can) Evaporated Milk
- 1/4 c granulated sugar
- 1 c chopped pecans
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 6 c all-purpose flour, divided
- 1/4 c granulated sugar
- 2 pkgs. (1/4 oz. each) active-dry or fast- rising yeast
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 c milk
- 1 c (2 sticks) butter
- 1/2 c water
- 2 large eggs
- 2 c sifted powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 c milk, (just enough for drizzling consistency)
Instructions
- FOR CHOCOLATE FILLING:
- HEAT morsels, evaporated milk and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in small saucepan until morsels are melted and mixture is smooth; remove from heat.
- Stir in nuts, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and cinnamon.
- FOR BRAID:
- COMBINE 4 cups flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, yeast and salt in large mixer bowl.
- HEAT milk, butter and water just until warm (120-130° F) and butter almost melts.
- Add milk mixture to flour mixture; add eggs. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl often. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Stir in as much of remaining flour as possible.
- TURN dough out onto slightly floured surface. Knead in remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes). Cover; let rest for 10 minutes.
- PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Line baking sheets with foil.
- DIVIDE dough in quarters. Roll quarter of dough into 9 x 5-inch rectangle. Place dough on one prepared baking sheet. Spread quarter of chocolate filling lengthwise down center of dough. Roll like a jelly roll. Take kitchen shears and cut X\'s on top, the full length of the dough.
- Cover; let rise in warm place for 15 minutes.
- BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown; cool completely on baking sheet on wire rack.
- FOR ICING:
- COMBINE powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter and remaining vanilla extract in small bowl. Slowly add enough milk for drizzling consistency; stir. Drizzle icing over braids. Cut into slices.