Swedish Tea Ring

Step 1: Dissolve yeast in Warm water.

Step 2: Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour. Mix till smooth.

Step 3: Add enough remaining dough to make dough easy to handle.

Step 4: Turn dough out onto a lightly floured, cloth covered surface and knead until smooth and elastic.

Step 5: Place dough in an oiled bowl, turning dough to coat in oil.

Step 6: Let rise, covered with a damp cloth, until doubled. approximately 1 hr.

Step 7: Punch down dough.

Step 8: Divide dough in half.

Step 9: Roll each half of the dough into a 15x9 rectangle.

Step 10: Spread each rectangle with butter and sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon and raisins.

Step 11: Roll up dough, beginning at the wide side. Repeat with other rectangle.

Step 12: With seam side down, form two rings on a lightly greased baking sheet. Pinch ends of each ring together to seal.

Step 13: Make cuts with scissors 2/3 of the way through rings, at 1 inch intervals, truning each interval to its side.

Step 14: Let rise until double.

Step 15: Bake 25 - 30 minutes at 375.

Step 16: Garnish with frosting, nuts, or cherries.