Date almond tea ring

make a sweet bread

dissolve
1 tsp sugar, in
1/2 cup lukewarm water
sprinkle 1 pack of yeast, (2 1/4 tsp) over this
let sit for at least 10 minutes until it foams up

In a large bowl

1 cup of milk(scalded)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
2 tlbs wheat germ(optional)
1 egg slightly beaten

stir yeast mixture and add to milk mix

beat in 2 cups of flour (beat well)

gradually add 2 -3 cups more of flour until it pull away from the sides
knead for about 10 minutes on a floured surface adding 1 tlbs of flour at a time if it become sticky
form into a smooth ball and place in a greased bowl making sure to rotate ball to grease it all over
cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled (2 hours)
punch down and knead for a couple minutes
cut in half making 2 balls using only half
roll out into a rectangle
brush edges with butter

sprinkle with this mixture

1/4 cup brown sugar lightly packed
1/3 cup dates pitted and chopped
1/4 cup chopped almonds

roll up like a jelly roll
make a ring and slit eadges 3/4 way though turning slightly
let rise again for about 45 minutes covered

preheat oven to 400 and bake for 20 to 25 minutes

(you may want to use the other half of the dough to make doughnuts or cinnamon buns)