The coffeecakes in this recipe can also be made into a ring, or other desired shapes.

Heavenly Heart Coffeecakes

1 (16-ounce) package hot roll mix 1 large egg 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons margarine 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind 3/4 cup hot water 5 1/2 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 18 packets Equal® sweetener or 3/4 cup Equal® Spoonful™
Mixed Fruit Filling (recipe below) 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Combine flour and yeast from hot roll mix in medium bowl; add spices, lemon rind, and Equal® and mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients, except Mixed Fruit Filling and almonds, to make a soft dough. Knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth, about 5 minutes. Cover dough with bowl; let stand 15 minutes.
Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll 1 piece on floured surface into rectangle 20 x 6-inches. Spread 1/2 the Mixed Fruit Filling over dough, to within 1-inch of edges. Roll up dough, beginning with long edge.
Place dough, seam side down, on greased cookie sheet; shape into a heart, pinching ends together with scissors, cutting through center of dough and leaving top and bottom of heart uncut. Gently open cut surfaces of dough to expose the filling. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Let stand in warm place until double in size, about 45 minutes.
Bake coffeecakes in preheated 350°F (175°) oven until dough is browned, about 15 minutes. Slide coffeecakes onto wire racks to cool. Sprinkle with almonds.

Makes 2 coffeecakes, 8 servings each.

Tips:

A single dried fruit such as apricots, pears or apples can be substituted for the mixed dried fruit, if desired.
If desired, coffeecakes can be drizzled with Almond Cream Cheese Glaze (recipe below).

Mixed Fruit Filling

2 1/2 cups chopped mixed dried fruit 1 1/2 cups apple cider or unsweetened apple juice 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 7 1/4 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes or 24 packets Equal® sweetener or 1 cup Equal® Spoonful™ 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until cider is almost evaporated, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool.

Makes about 1 2/3 cups.

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 207 cal., 5 g pro., 42 g carbo., 3 g fat, 13 mg chol., 226 mg sodium.

Food Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 1/2 bread, 1/2 fat.

Almond Cream Cheese Glaze

1/2 (8-ounce size) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened 1/2 to 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon Equal® for Recipes or 3 packets Equal® sweetener or 2 tablespoons Equal® Spoonful™ Skim Milk

Mix cream cheese, extract, Equal® , and enough milk to make medium glaze consistency.

Makes about 1/2 cup.

Nutrition Information Per Serving (about 1 1/2 teaspoons):
18 cal., 1 g pro., 1 g carbo., 1 g fat, 4 mg chol., 22 mg sodium

Food Exchanges: free food.

Recipe provided courtesy of Merisant Corporation ® and the NutraSweet Company, makers of Equal®.