A Very MERRY MORNING

When hosting overnight guests, it helps to have a crowdpleasing breakfast recipe in your back pocket.

With layers of soft, maple-kissed dough, chopped apples, and cardamom, this tempting loaf is a cross between homemade cinnamon rolls and monkey bread. Make it ahead so you can do little more than pour a cup of coffee and join your guests at the table in the morning.

Maple-Apple Pull-Apart Bread

HANDS ON 25 min.
TOTAL TIME 2 hr. 50 min.
(includes rising and cooling)

¾ cup milk
1 pkg. active dry yeast egg, lightly beaten
½ cup butter, melted
4 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
½ tsp. salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
1½ cups peeled, cored, finely chopped apples
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. ground cardamom
¾ cup powdered sugar

1. In a small saucepan heat milk until warm (105°F to 115°F). In a large bowl combine warm milk and yeast; stir until yeast is dissolved. Let stand 5 minutes.