Best Holiday German Stollen Recipes

AUTHENTIC GERMAN HOLIDAY STOLLEN

Steps:

• 1. Prepare Fruit: Combine the mixed candied fruit, raisins, and rum. Cover and set aside. Shake or stir the mixture every so often to coat the fruit with the rum. **One cup coarsely chopped mixed dried fruits may be substituted for the candied fruit. Cover the dried fruit with boiling water and let sit at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours. Drain and use as you would candied fruit. You can also candy your own fruit. I will post a recipe on how to candy your own fruit, but keep in mind it cannot all be done in the same day.
• 2. Prepare Sponge: In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast in the water to soften. Heat the milk to 110 degrees F and add it to the yeast along with the honey and 1 cup flour. Cover the sponge with plastic wrap and let rise until light and full of bubbles, about 30 minutes.
• 3. By Hand, Add the fruit mixture, honey, egg, butter, zest, salt, mace, walnuts, and 2 cups of the flour to the sponge. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes. Gradually add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until the dough begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Knead, adding flour a little at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• 4. First rise: Put the dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat the entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with a tightly woven towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• 5. Shape and Fill: Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface. For 1 large loaf, roll the dough into a 9 by 13-inch oval. For 2 loaves, divided the dough in half and roll each half into a 7 by 9-inch oval. Brush the melted butter over the top of the oval(s). Combine the cinnamon and granulated sugar and sprinkle over one lengthwise half of the oval(s). Fold the dough in half lengthwise and carefully lift the bread(s) onto a parchment-lined or well-greased baking sheet. Press lightly on the folded side to help the loaf keep its shape during rising and baking.
• 6. Second rise: Cover with a tightly woven towel and let rise for 45 minutes.
• 7. preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes. Immediately remove from the baking sheet and place on a rack to cool. Sprinkle heavily with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

HOLIDAY GERMAN STOLLEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat the milk and 1-1/2 cups butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Beat in eggs until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Add the almond extract, lemon zest and rum extract if desired. Stir in the almonds, cherries, candied lemon and orange peel and raisins (dough will be slightly sticky)., Turn onto a heavily floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 1-1/2 hours., Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into thirds. Roll each portion into a 15x8-in. oval. Melt remaining butter. Brush each oval with 1 tablespoon butter and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons of the remaining sugar. Fold a long side of oval to within 1/2 in. of the opposite side; press edges lightly to seal. Place on parchment-lined or lightly greased baking sheets. Curve ends slightly. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes., Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with remaining melted butter; remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Combine the glaze ingredients; drizzle over stollen.