Sideboard Holiday Recipes
My inspiration for Cheddar Fig Rings was born from my love of fig jam served on a charcuterie board with assorted cheeses and crackers. The combination of sharp cheddar cheese on a crispy cracker spread with fig jam always hits the spot. I love the flavors so much...I chose to apply the idea to my baked cheddar rings, they are a match made in heaven! So tender, the bread has a delightful tang from the sharp cheese and a subtle sweetness from the fig jam; the rings are also visually stunning.
No Rise Time Required
The sweet and cheesy quick bread doesn't require any rise time so takes less time to prepare than most yeast bread recipes — the perfect quick and easy holiday recipe.
Traditional Housewarming Blessing
In a scene from Frank Capra's 1946 film, "It's A Wonderful Life," Mary And George Bailey (Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart) welcome the Martini family to their new home with three symbolic gifts and a brief, heartfelt speech. It's just a tiny scene, but it captures a universal moment. Giving a gift to new neighbors or close friends who have moved is a custom that spans centuries and cultures. May you and yours be blessed this holiday season and throughout the year. Much Love, Rebecka
BREAD - That this house may never grow hungry
SALT - That life may always have flavor
WINE - That joy may propsperity may reign forever
Cheddar Fig Rings
Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water - 100 degrees F
- 1 teaspoon salt plus ¼ teaspoons divided
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 Tablespoons Yeast
- ½ cup sugar divided
- 1 egg
- 3 ½ cup King Arthur Stone-Ground White Whole Wheat Flour
- 3 ½ cups sharp yellow cheddar cheese plus ½ cup for sprinkling
- ¼ cup cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cups prepared fig jam
- ¾ cup fine chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
For the Dough:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a medium glass bowl, combine the water, oil, yeast, and sugar. Gently stir a couple of times with a rubber spatula and allow the mixture to rest for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes the yeast will be bubbly. In your stand mixer, add the yeast mixture, salt, egg, and flour. Using the dough hook, knead the mixture at medium-high speed until it forms a ball. Add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese and mix for a few seconds or until just combined.
- Place dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a long snake shape. Cut it into 12 equal pieces. Cover with a clean cloth and allow them to rest while making the filling.
For Fig the Filling:
- Combine, 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar with 1 cups prepared fig jam, ¾ cups fine chopped pecans, ¼ cup cream cheese, spices, a ¼ teaspoon of salt, and stir to combine.
- Build the Rings:
- Roll one piece of dough at a time into flat, long oval shapes. Top should be slightly larger than the bottom, almost heart shaped.
- Add 2-3 teaspoons of the filling to the top of the oval, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Gently, pull the ¼ inch of ‘free’ dough over until it covers the filling. Pinch the edges to secure the dough around the filling.
- Cut strips in the remaining dough using a knife. You can cut it into thin or thick strips it’s totally up to you.
- Fold the filled dough over the strips like you’re making a croissant. Curve into a C-shape and connect the ends together.
- Place the Rings on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and brush with melted butter. Sprinkle about a ½ teaspoon shredded cheddar cheese over each ring.
- Bake at 400F. for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove rings to a cooling rack. Brush with more melted butter and serve warm or at room temperature.
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