Frozen Krantz (Guest Post by Randi Hartwig)

**Gretchen's note: I have to lead off by saying that this coffee cake holds a very special place in my heart and my mouth. We have had it every year for Christmas morning, and I crave it and think about it and talk about it weeks in advance. Thanks, mom, for making Christmas so delicious.**


Gretchen asked me to Guest Blog our family's traditional Christmas morning coffee cake.  I am delighted because I have been making Frozen Krantz every holiday since I was married and enjoying it ever since I was a little girl. It is a Norwegian recipe that my Grandma used to make for her family in Norway. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.  Every year I make one for our family and give one or two to friends.  It has become part of their tradition as well.  

Frozen Krantz

• 4 cups flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup milk, scalded (I still heat it the old way on the stove, but feel free to use the microwave. Heat to quite warm to the touch - it will be used to proof the yeast)
• 3 egg yolks (save the egg whites for filling)

Filling:

• 3 egg whites, beaten stiff
• Add: 3/4 cup white sugar, 1 cup ground nuts, 1-2 tsp cinnamon

Blend the flour, salt and butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.  Heat milk to quit warm, but not boiling. Remove from heat and add sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes.  Beat egg yolks and add to flour mixture, then add in milk mixture. Beat slowly with electric mixer.

Pat dough into large round and put into greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. You're done for the night! If you are paying attention you will note the glass of wine - time to put on some Christmas music or read a little Dickens. You deserve to relax after the rush of the season! See how easy that was?

 

Next day take out the dough to rest on the counter. Meanwhile, mix up the filling using the saved egg whites.

Divide the dough into 2 or 3 pieces - you can make 3 small or 2 large coffee cakes. On a silicone mat or pastry cloth roll dough into large, thin circle. Spread the filling over the entire surface.  You'll be amazed at how easily this rolls out - you're almost a baking genius! 

Start at one side and roll into large sausage shape then form a crescent.  Place on greased cookie sheet and allow to rise for about an hour.  

Bake at 325 degrees for 22-25 minutes. Watch closely the last few minutes. Remove from oven, cool, and drizzle with thin powdered sugar glaze and decorate.

Look how pretty that is and it tastes amazing! Your family will love you even more than they do now and any friends lucky enough to have this added to their holiday table will be thrilled.