Lunch: Lemon Bubble Ring

A giant bread ring with lemony spiced sugar threaded around the easy pull-away pieces â€" it's deliciously old-fashioned but perfect with today's meals!

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Lemon Bubble Ring

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

2 package active dry yeast
1 tsp. salt
5 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
sugar
1 c. milk
margarine or butter
2 large eggs
2 lemons
1/4 tsp. ground mace

Instructions

In large bowl, combine yeast, salt, 2 cups flour, and 1/2 cup sugar. In small saucepan over low heat, heat milk, 4 tablespoons margarine or butter (1/2 stick), and 1/2 cup water until very warm (120 to 130 degrees F.). (Margarine or butter does not need to melt completely.) With mixer at low speed, gradually beat liquid into dry ingredients. Increase speed to medium; add eggs and beat 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. Beat in 1 cup flour to make a thick batter; continue beating 2 minutes, occasionally scraping bowl. With spoon, stir in 2 cups flour to make a soft dough.
Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes, working in more flour (about 1/2 cup) while kneading. Shape dough into ball and place in greased large bowl, turning dough over to grease top. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place (80 to 85 degrees F.), away from draft, until doubled, about 1 hour. (Dough is doubled when two fingers pressed lightly into dough leave a dent.)
Punch down dough by pushing down center with fist, then pushing edges of dough into center. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; cut dough in half; cover with bowl and let rest 15 minutes for easier shaping.
Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine lemon zest (grated peel), mace, and 1/2 cup sugar. In small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons margarine or butter. Grease 10-inch tube pan.
Cut each dough half into 16 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball by tucking ends under. Place half of balls in tube pan; brush with half of melted margarine or butter; sprinkle with half of lemon mixture. Repeat with remaining balls, melted margarine, and lemon mixture. Cover with towel; let rise in warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. (Dough is doubled when one finger very lightly pressed against dough leaves a dent.)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake bubble ring 35 minutes or until golden and loaf sounds hollow when lightly tapped with fingers. Cool in pan 5 minutes; remove from pan. Cool slightly on wire rack to serve warm or cool completely to serve later.