Stollen (Christmas German Bread)

By Amanda Campbell

This is excellent and so yummy. It makes two loaves and is great. I made this for my Christmas party with my mom's side of the family they all really liked it. I really like it for Breakfast.

1/2 c. golden raisins
1/2 c. currants
1/2 c. diced citron
1/2 c. chopped candied or glace cherries
2 tbsp. rum or brandy
4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, plus additional 1/2 c. as needed
2 (1/4 oz.) pkg. active dry yeast (2 scant tbsp.)
1/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
4 tbsp. butter, cut up
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 c. (2 oz.) slivered blanched almonds
Almond Paste
Butter, softened
Powdered sugar

Combine raisins, currants, citron, cherries and rum in medium bowl and let stand 1 hour.
Stir together 2 cups of the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in large bowl. Heat milk, 1/2 cup water, butter and lemon rind in small saucepan over low heat just until warm (115 to 120 degrees). Add to flour mixture along with eggs and almond extract. Beat at low speed of electric mixer until flour is moistened. Beat at medium speed 3 minutes.

Stir 1/2 cup flour into fruit mixture. Stir fruit mixture, almonds and enough remaining flour into batter to make moderately stiff dough.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 to 8 minutes. Shape into ball and place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise in warm place (80 to 85 degrees) until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down, cover and let rest 10 minutes. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and divide in half. Pat or roll each half into 8x14 inch oval and spread lightly with softened butter. Fold dough in half lengthwise, spread almond paste in the middle of the dough and seal it up; bringing upper half not quite to edge of lower half, and press firmly along edge to secure. Place loaves on lightly greased 15x10 inch baking sheet. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.

Uncover. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven until loaves are golden and sound hollow when lightly tapped, 25 to 30 minutes. Bathe it is melted butter and then lots of powdered sugar all over it and coat it all the way. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.