Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 (1/4 ounce) packets yeast (approximately 4 1/2 to 5 tsp.)
• 7/8 cup lukewarm milk
• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 lbs ground nutmeats (we use walnuts, approximately 6 cups)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup butter (optional)
• 3 1/2-4 cups confectioners' sugar (optional)
• 1 egg yolk (optional)
• 3 tablespoons milk (optional)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla (optional)

Instructions

1. Dough: Dissolve yeast in milk with sugar. Add butter, salt, and egg yolks.

2. Stirring to mix. Add 2 cups flour and mix well, add remaining flour. Knead 5 minutes.

3. Divide dough into 3-4 parts, cover and let rise while preparing filling.

4. Filling: Heat all ingredients in a sauce pan until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.

5. Roll out each portion of dough to an 1/8 inch thickness in a rectangle shape. Spread an equal amount of filling on each portion on dough. Roll up jelly roll fashion and let raise 15-20 minutes.

6. Brush with egg whites before baking. (I accidentally forgot to do this one year and have decided we like it better without the egg wash.) Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

7. Once cool, top with icing, if desired.

8. Icing: Cream butter and egg yolk. Then add confectioner's sugar a cup at a time beating on medium speed. Add vanilla and milk 1 Tbls. at a time and beat on high until fluffy.