Orange-Glazed Coffee Cake

A very light and refreshing coffee cake with a wonderful orange flavor!

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 10-12

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1⁄4 cup warm water, 105-115 degrees
• 1⁄2 cup  warm milk, same temp
• 1⁄2 cup  fresh orange juice
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1  tablespoon  grated orange zest
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 1⁄2-4  cups flour

• Glaze

• 1  large egg, lightly beaten

• Icing

• 1  cup powdered sugar
• 1 1⁄2-2  tablespoons  fresh orange juice

Directions

1. In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand til foamy, about 5-10 minutes.
2. Stir warm milk, orange juice, sugar, ricotta, orange zest, salt, and egg into the yeast mixture.
3. Using the paddle attachment, beat 2 cups flour on low speed into the yeast mixture until a wet dough forms.
4. Beat in the remaining dough, 1/2 cup at a time, until a stiff dough forms.
5. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-10 minutes, adding more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
6. Place dough into a large greased bowl, turn to coat.
7. Cover loosely with a damp towel or cloth and let rise in a warm place til doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
8. Grease a 10" springform pan.
9. Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 to 2 minutes.
10. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces and roll each piece into 20" long ropes.
11. Braid the ropes together.
12. Coil braided dough into prepared pan and tuck ends under.
13. Cover loosely with a damp towel and let rise again til almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
14. Brush dough with the glaze.
15. Bake in 425 oven about 25-30 minutes til the top of the cake is golden brown.
16. Turn cake out onto a wire rack to cool slightly.
17. Icing:.
18. In small bowl, stir together powdered sugar and orange juice til smooth.
19. Spread icing over warm cake.
20. Serve warm.