Scandinavian Pastry

This is soooo good!!
Recipe via Judy Gruenwald

Dough:
1/2 cup butter - room temperature
2 cups warm milk
1 cup sugar
2 eggs - room temperature
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup warm water
1 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP yeast
6 cups flour

In large bowl put butter and sugar
Pour warm milk over and let stand while yeast rises

Mix water, yeast and sugar - let stand 10 minutes

Beat eggs
Mix all ingredients together in mixer
Add flour until dough is too stiff
Knead in remaining flour and form into a ball
Let raise 1 hour or double in bulk

FILLINGS:
#1 - Pudding:
Mix lemon instant pudding as directed in bowl

#2 - Almond Paste - mix together in second bowl:
1/2 lb butter
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup rolled oats
2 tsp almond extract

#3 - Crumb mixture:
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

After dough has risen, divide in half

Put half back in warm place
Divide dough you are working with
Roll out on tin foil in long rectangle
Cut sides with scissors cut long enough that can be braided and leaving strip down center - leaving strips down each side (about 1/2 - 3/4" wide)

Down center of pastry:
Spread on Lemon filling
Dab on almond paste
Sprinkle on crumb mixture

Place foil and pastry on oven racks
Braid cut edges over fillings

Optional - sprinkle with sugar and nuts
Decorate with cherries - after cooked

Let raise

Bake @ 375* for 15 - 20 minutes

When pastry begins to brown - brush with egg mixture and small amount of milk
When cool drizzle icing over whole braid