Festive German Stollen: A Decadent Christmas Bread Recipe
Sure! Let’s dive into making a delightful treat: Stollen, a traditional German Christmas bread that’s bound to become a festive favorite. 🎄🍞
Stollen (German Christmas Bread)
Description: This classic recipe hails from a cherished church cookbook, promising a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Rich with milk, eggs, and an array of fruits and nuts, this Stollen is a labor of love, perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings by the fire.
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Prep Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 7 hours
- Yield: 5 loaves
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 1/2 | cups milk |
| 1/2 | cup water |
| 4 | cups flour |
| 10 | teaspoons salt |
| 1 | cup butter |
| 2 1/2 | cups sugar |
| 1 1/2 | tablespoons fresh lemon rind |
| 2 | tablespoons brandy |
| 5 | cups raisins |
| 2 | cups citron |
| 1 | cup pecans |
| 1 | cup dates |
| 1/2 | cup powdered sugar |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Dough:
- Start by scalding the milk and allowing it to cool to lukewarm.
- Dissolve the yeast in water for 10 minutes, then add it to the milk.
- Gradually add 6 cups of flour sifted with salt to form a soft batter.
- Let the batter rise until double in bulk.
-
Incorporate Ingredients:
- To the risen batter, add 1 1/2 cups of butter, sugar, egg yolks, lemon rind, and brandy. Mix thoroughly.
- Slowly add 4 cups of flour, working it in until the mixture begins to loosen from the bowl.
- Knead in the raisins, citron, pecans, and dates until evenly distributed.
-
Shape and Bake:
- Divide the dough into five equal parts and shape each into a loaf, placing them in greased pans.
- Make two rows of slashes across the top of each loaf.
- Allow the loaves to rise until doubled in size.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 1 hour or until golden brown.
-
Final Touches:
- Once the bread is removed from the oven and partially cooled, spoon over 1 cup of melted butter, allowing it to soak into the bread.
- Sprinkle the loaves generously with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.
-
Storage:
- After cooling completely, store the Stollen in a cool place for 2 to 3 days to allow the flavors to mellow and develop.
This Stollen recipe is a true labor of love, embodying the spirit of the holiday season with its rich flavors and festive aromas. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or after a few days of mellowing, each slice is sure to evoke memories of warmth and joy. Serve alongside a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine for the ultimate holiday indulgence. Enjoy! 🎅🏼✨
