My Bake Sale Butter Rings

They are named so because they're cheap to make, easy to make, taste good, and help to net good profits at bake sales. Just a little topping to the powdered sugar glaze, like a walnut half sliced thinly with a razor blade and strewn on top of the glaze really adds to its eye appeal.

• Ready In: 5 hrs 45 mins
• Yields: 2 large rings

Ingredients

• For the dough

• 1  cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1⁄4 cup warm water
• 1 (1/4ounce) envelope dry yeast
• 4  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  egg
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  lemon extract
•  yellow food coloring (optional)

• Optional Fillings (use one (or more))

•  cinnamon
•  sugar
•  raisins
•  ground nuts
•  candied cherry
•  thick  fruit filling

Directions

1. Scald milk; add 1/2 cup sugar, salt, margarine, flavoring and a few drops of food coloring, if using it.
2. Cool to lukewarm.
3. Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup very warm water in mixing bowl.
4. Add lukewarm milk mixture, egg, and 2 cups flour.
5. Beat until smooth.
6. Stir in 2 more cups flour to make stiff batter.
7. Cover and refrigerate two hours (or up to two days).
8. Roll dough into two 14" x 7" oblongs.
9. Now, if you desire, you can scatter any of the above listed filling ingredients onto dough, or you can leave it plain.
10. Roll up lengthwise and seal edges.
11. Form into two rings, sealed edges down on greased baking sheets.one to a sheet and seal ends.
12. With a sharp knife, cut 2/3 through rings at 1 inch intervals.
13. Twist each section sideways.
14. Cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled, about an hour.
15. Bake at 375 degrees F. about 25 minutes.
16. Frost while warm with thin confectioners glaze and sprinkle with chopped nuts or your choice of toppings.
17. Makes two large rings.