Charlotte's Maple Twists

I first saw this recipe on Lovella's blog, maybe two years ago, before mennonitegirlscancook came to be and it's one of those recipes I wish to have on my sidebar now. I have never met Charlotte, but we have become friends through the recipe blog and, from the start, I have loved her wonderful sense of humor.
So, I thought I would invite you to come and sit at my counter to watch the procedure. You may just decide to give this one a try as well.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
2 3/4- 3 cups flour, divided
1 Tbsp instant yeast
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp maple extract

Method:

1. Heat milk and butter, add a couple of ice cubes until just very warm.
2. In mixer, mix 1 cup of the flour, yeast, sugar, salt.
3. Stir in hot liquids, then the egg and maple flavoring
4. With dough hook attachment (if you have it), add the rest of the flour, kneading until the dough holds together in a ball.
5. Cover bowl with plate or plastic and let rise about 45 min.,

Just before you are ready to roll out the dough, prepare the filling by melting

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp cinnamon
Combine and keep warm.

To assemble:

Now this is the part that may be fun to see. Divide your dough into three parts.

Sprinkle flour on your counter and roll out the first part into the size of a dinner plate. The trick to rolling out a round shape is to make a ball, flatten it with your hands and then proceed to roll and kind of stretch it into a circle by the way you put pressure on the rolling pin. Place dough on a greased pizza pan. Spread with 1/3 of the filling. Repeat with next two layers.

You will notice the indentation from a cup on top of the third layer. I use it as a guide and spread filling only around it. (alternately I have also just spread the first two layers with butter and spread with sugar/cinnamon mixture, leaving the top plain. In the end it doesn't matter. You can also leave out the nuts) Then, with shears or a sharp serrated knife, cut twelve slices around that center circle. Next, lift each slice individually and twist about 4 - 5 times. Cover with wax paper and light tea towel.

Let rise about 30 - 45 minutes. Bake at 350 F until golden, about 20-25 minutes. The aroma coming from the oven will make everyone in a good mood.

Lastly, make a thin icing with:

1 cup confectioner's sugar

2 Tbsp melted butter

1/2 tsp maple extract

1-2 Tbsp milk

I don't measure the milk, just pour in a tiny amount and stir. Drizzle over twists while warm or cooled.

For a Valentine's Treat ... roll each layer out into the shape of a heart, also using hand to for shaping.