Christmas Stollen

Categories: Baked Goods, Holiday
Contributed by: Deb in VA

This is a recipe I've made every Christmas for at least 25 years...oy! It's a kind of stollen with candied fruit and nuts....great for Christmas morning breakfast.

INGREDIENTS

2 pkgs. dry yeast
1/4 c warm water
1 1/2 c milk
3/4 c butter or margarine
1/2 c sugar
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
2 eggs, beaten
6 c sifted all purpose flour (approx)
1/2 chopped blanched almonds
1/2 c diced citron
1/2 c chopped candied cherries
1/2 c diced candied pineapple

DIRECTIONS

In bowl, soften yeast in warm water. In saucepan, scald milk and pour into large bowl. Add butter, sugar, salt and cardamom. Cool to lukewarm. Mix in eggs, about 3 1/2 cups flour, yeast mixture, almonds, citron, candied cherries and pineapple. Stir in enough remaining flour to make a stiff dough. Knead on well floured surface till dough is smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl; cover and let rise until double (about 1 1/2 hrs.). Punch down, let rest 10 min. Divide into 3 equal parts and form each into a loaf. Place loaves on greased cookie sheets and let rise again until double. Bake in 350 oven till golden brown. Frost with powdered sugar frosting and decorate as desired.
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Deb