Cherry Almond Danish Braid

For the sponge: heat milk in a microwave-safe measuring cup for 45 seconds to 1 minute, until very warm (120-130°F). Whisk together warm milk, sugar, yeast, and flour in a medium bowl; cover loosely with plastic wrap and let stand 15 minutes.

For the dough: combine sugar, cream cheese, butter, salt, vanilla, egg, and sponge in a large mixer bowl; beat at medium speed for 1 minute until combined. Add 2 cups (280 g) flour and mix in at low speed until a soft dough forms, about 2 to 3 minutes. Switch out the flat beater for a dough hook, and knead dough for 4 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding remaining 1/4 cup (35 g) of flour 1 tablespoon at a time to prevent dough from sticking. The dough is ready when it feels tacky but doesn’t stick to your fingers.

Place dough in a large bowl coated with nonstick spray and cover with plastic. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 50 minutes. To check if dough has doubled, lightly flour two fingers and press them down into center of dough. If indentations remain, dough has risen enough.

While the dough rises, prepare the filling. Combine cherries, sugar, and amaretto in a medium bowl. Let stand 15 minutes, tossing occasionally. Place cherries and their juices in a heavy saucepan over medium heat; cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until cherries have softened and mixture has thickened. Remove cherries from heat and cool to room temperature. Combine butter, almond paste, and sugar in a food processor and pulse for 1 minute until combined.

Lightly brush milk over edges (border) of dough. Remove the four corner strips and fold top border down over filling. Work from top to bottom and fold strips over filling, alternating strips diagonally (begin by folding over the top left strip, then fold the top right strip, then a left strip, and so on). When all the strips are folded over filling, fold up the bottom border and press to seal. Cover braid loosely with plastic and let rise 25 minutes. ( To prepare ahead: After braid rests, cover and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before baking).

Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush braid with milk and bake until golden, 19 to 20 minutes. Cool braid on a wire rack. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, salt, melted butter, milk, and amaretto in a small bowl. Use more/less powdered sugar to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle glaze over cooled braid; let set before serving.