Christmas Tree Twists

• 2-3/4 to 3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon red colored sugar
• 1 tablespoon green colored sugar

1. In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, salt and baking soda. In a small saucepan, heat buttermilk and shortening to 120u0b0-130u0b0. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. Roll each into a 14x3-in. rectangles; pinch seam to seal. Cut each into fourteen 3x1-in. strips.
3. Beginning with the red-sugared strips, twist each strip several times. On a greased
4. , arrange strips in a tree shape by placing pinched edge of a strip in the top center of
5. and fanning out rounded end, allowing filling to show.
6. Use six strips of dough on one side and seven strips on other side. Pinch dough in center to join. Use remaining strip for tree trunk. Repeat with green-sugared strips. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
7. Bake at 375u0b0 for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

flour, sugar, active dry yeast, salt, baking soda, buttermilk, shortening, egg, butter, red colored sugar, green colored sugar

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/christmas-tree-twists/ (may not work)