Ellen Bryan'S Swedish Tea Ring
A rich Swedish-inspired sweet roll filled with cinnamon, brown sugar, and nuts, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or special occasions, offering warm, spicy, nutty flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 to 9 cups plain flour ⓘ
- 3 packages yeast ⓘ
- 1 stick butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon salt ⓘ
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cinnamon ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla ⓘ
- 1 box light brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 box confectioners sugar ⓘ
- about 1 cup softened margarine or butter ⓘ
- 3 cups pecans or walnuts ⓘ
- colored candy citrus (optional, for decorating) ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir until dissolved well.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter or margarine.
- Pour in cold milk and add salt.
- When the mixture is lukewarm, pour it into the yeast mixture.
- Add eggs and about 3 1/2 cups of unsifted flour. Stir until lumps dissolve.
- Add about 3 1/2 cups of flour; stir well.
- Knead the dough thoroughly.
- Let the dough rise in a bowl for about 1 hour; then stir it down.
- Turn the dough onto a large floured surface and roll into the largest rectangle possible.
- Spread the rolled-out dough with softened margarine or butter.
- Sprinkle generously with light brown sugar and heavily with cinnamon.
- Across one long end, sprinkle with broken nuts.
- Start rolling from the nut side like a jelly roll and seal the edges tightly.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using Butter Flavored Oleo instead of regular margarine or butter. You can also substitute the nuts with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version. If the dough is too sticky, gradually add more flour until manageable. Ensure the yeast is fresh for the best rise, and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area.
Serving Suggestions
This Swedish Tea Ring pairs beautifully with Hot Festival Fruit for a delightful breakfast or brunch spread. Serve it alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea for a perfect afternoon treat. You can also drizzle a simple glaze made from confectioners sugar and milk over the top for added sweetness.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To keep it fresh longer, consider refrigerating it, which will extend its life to about a week. To reheat, wrap slices in foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ellen Bryan'S Swedish Tea Ring contains roughly 2886 calories, with 19g protein, 203g carbohydrates, and 219g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (61% of the Daily Value), protein (39% of the Daily Value), and calcium (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin D and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1783mg per serving (78% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough a day in advance. After kneading, allow it to rise, then punch it down and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature and rise again before shaping.
Can I freeze the Swedish Tea Ring?
Absolutely! After baking, allow the ring to cool completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. It can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving and reheat if desired.
What can I use if I don't have pecans or walnuts?
If you don't have pecans or walnuts, feel free to use any nuts you prefer, such as almonds or hazelnuts. You can also leave out the nuts entirely for a nut-free version and increase the amount of cinnamon and sugar for extra flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).