Instructions: Combine water, butter, sugar and salt in a small saucepan. Stir over medium heat until butter is melted. Heat or cool the mixture as necessary so that it is very warm (120 to 130 degrees).

In a large bowl or in a mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix 1 cup flour and yeast. Add the very warm water mixture and mix until blened. Mix in the egg. Add remaining flour by 1/2 cupfulls until you have a soft dough. Beat, or knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 to 10 minutes). Add more flour, if necessary, to keep dough from sticking.

Lightly coat a large bowl with vegetable or canola oil. Place dough in bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover bowl with a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm, draft-free are until the dough has doubled in size. This should take about an hour.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8- by 10-inch (or larger) baking pan.

Beat together cream cheese, egg and sugar until smooth and creamy.

When dough has doubled, punch it down and use a floured rolling pin on a floured surface to roll in into a rectangle, roughly the size of your baking sheet. Place dough on greased baking sheet. With a sharp knife, score the dough into thirds, lengthwise. Spread the preserves evenly over the center third of the dough. Use a sharp knife to cut strips at 1-inch intervals along the two outside thirds. Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the preserves. Starting at one end, alternately cross the cut strips over the center. Tuck in strips at bottom.

Brush top of coffee cake with beaten egg. Sprinkle sugar and almonds over top. Cover coffee cake and let rise again, until almost doubled (about 30 minutes).

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 40 to 45 minutes or until golden brown and the filling has set. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

This recipe yields 12 servings.

Comments: Dont forget, you can make the yeast dough ahead of time and keep it in your refrigerator. Just allow extra time for it to come to room temperature before proceeding to roll it out.

Description: "Bake this awesome coffee cake for breakfast or brunch. Youll be very popular. Use whatever flavor preserves you like."

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