Jam-Filled Figure-Eight Twists

Jam-Filled Figure-Eight Twists

Makes 27 twists

Ingredients:
Dough:
Yeast
Warm water
Flour
Sugar
Salt
Butter
Eggs, separated
Milk
Jam
Shortening, for the cookie sheets

Powdered Sugar Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 tablespoons water or milk

Directions:
Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a large bowl. Mix in the flour, sugar and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture looks like fine crumbs.
Separate the eggs, refrigerating the whites. Stir the yolks and milk into the flour mixture until a soft dough forms.
Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
Grease 2 large cookie sheets. Punch down the dough and divide into 3 parts.
Roll one part at a time into a 9 x 7-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface (refrigerate briefly if sticky). Cut crosswise into nine 1-inch strips.
Pinch the ends of each strip together to form a ring, stretching slightly, then twist into a figure 8. Place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets.
Brush with egg white. Let rise uncovered about 25 minutes, until puffy.
Heat the oven to 350°F. Make an indentation in the center of each loop and fill with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon jam. Brush with egg white.
Bake about 15 minutes, until light golden brown. Remove to a wire rack.
Mix the glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle over the warm twists.