Apple Ladder Loaf

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 2 (1/4 ounce) packages active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 to 115 )
• 1/2 cup warm milk (110 to 115 )
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 4 cups thinly sliced peeled tart apples
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 -2 tablespoon orange juice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

• 1 in a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water.
• 2 add the milk, butter, sugar, salt, eggs and 2 cups flour.
• 3 beat on low speed for 3 minutes. stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
• 4 turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.
• 5 place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.
• 6 cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours; punch dough down.
• 7 cover and refrigerate overnight.
• 8 punch dough down. turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half.
• 9 roll each half into a 12-in. x 9-in. rectangle. place each on a greased baking sheet. spread with butter.
• 10 for filling, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice in a large bowl;
• 11 add apples and toss to coat.
• 12 spread filling down center third of each rectangle.
• 13 on each long side, cut 1-in. wide strips about 3 inches into center.
• 14 starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling; seal ends.
• 15 cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 45-60 minutes.
• 16 bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
• 17 combine icing ingredients until smooth; drizzle over warm loaves.
• 18 serve warm or at room temperature. store in the refrigerator.