Stollen

Though some people might not know of Stollen, also known as Christmas Stollen, it is a very scrumptious bread, and though it does take a while to make it is worth the work. It has dried fruit mixed in it with a center filled with almond paste. To add to this yummy bread, coat with powder sugar around the crust.  

Scant 2 cups warm milk
1 cup sugar
3 packages dry yeast
8 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Grated peel of 1 lemon
2 cups raisins
1 cup chopped almonds
2/3 cup chopped candied lemon peel
1/3 cup candied orange peel
2 tablespoons rum
1 cup butter
1 can almond paste

To make yeast dough, put warm milk into a medium bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle with yeast; let stand 5 minutes or until the surface is frothy. Stir gently to moisten any dry particles remaining on top.

Sift 6 2/3 cups flour, salt and remaining sugar into a large bowl.

Lightly beat eggs into yeast mixture with vanilla and lemon peel. Pour into flour mixture, combining to make a firm dough. On a floured board, knead dough until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place 1 hour.

Mix raisins, almonds and candied peel in a medium bowl; sprinkle with rum. Cover and let steep.

Work butter and remaining flour together; knead into risen dough. Cover and let stand in a warm place about 15 minutes.

Work fruit and rum mixture quickly into dough. Cover and let stand in a warm place. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; grease paper.

Divide dough into 3 portions. On a floured surface, gently roll each piece into a 12-inch long oval which is thinner in the middle than at the edges. Place a quarter section of almond paste into the center of each sections of dough. Fold dough over lengthwise, making a 6-inch length. This gives the typical Stollen shape. Place dough on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 2 pieces of dough. Cover and let stand in a warm place 20 minutes, until increased in size. Preheat oven to 350 o. Bake Stollen 30 to 35 minutes or until a rich golden brown.

To make topping, melt butter. Brush melted butter over hot Stollen. Sift powdered sugar generously over Stollen.