Toss together raisins and lemon juice. Beat cream cheese, egg and egg yolk at medium speed with electric mixer until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add sugar, mix well. Stir in raisin mixture, lemon peel and walnuts. Chill well.
For coffee cake, dissolve yeast in water. Scald milk; stir in butter, sugar, salt and cardamom. Cool to lukewarm; stir in yeast and eggs. Mix in 4 1/2 cups of the flour; beat thoroughly. Turn out onto floured board; knead about 10 minutes, adding enough of the remaining flour to make a smooth and satiny dough. Place in greased bowl; cover and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down. On lightly floured board, roll and stretch into 22×12-inch rectangle. Spread with Raisin-Cheese Filling to within 1 inch of long edges. Roll from long side as for jelly roll; pinch edges to seal. Carefully fit into deep 10-inch tube pan, sealing ends together. Cover; let rise in warm place until almost doubled in bulk, about 2 hours. Bake at 350°F for 60 to 70 minutes until golden brown. Cool in pan 15 minutes before turning out onto rack to cool completely.
Melt apricot preserves over low heat, stirring constantly. Strain; cool to lukewarm. Placed cooled cake on serving plate; brush with warm preserves. Garnish with fruits and nuts.
Ingredients
Filling
- 11/2 Cups California raisins
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 Package (8 ounces) light cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 Cup sugar
- Grated peel of 1 lemon
- 1/2 Cup chopped walnuts
Procedure
Coffee Cake
- 2 Packages active dry yeast
- 1/2 Cup warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 1 Cup milk
- 1/4 Cup butter or margarine
- 1/2 Cup sugar
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 51/2 Cups flour, divided
- 3/4 Cup apricot preserves
- California raisins, candied fruits and whole nuts; for garnish