mpooh488957's Recipe

Stolle de Noel (Christmas Stollen)

Category: Recipes

Our version of this 14th-century German holiday bread contains a lot less butter, but is chock-full of dried fruits and has the same characteristic firm, dry texture of the original.

Yield
16 servings (serving size: 1 slice)

Ingredients
Marinated fruit:
1/4 cup kirsch (cherry brandy) or apple juice
3 tablespoons candied lemon peel
3 tablespoons candied orange peel
3 tablespoons candied citron
3 tablespoons dried currants
3 tablespoons golden raisins

Dough:
1 package dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds
Cooking spray

Glaze:
1 tablespoon butter or stick margarine, softened
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Preparation
To prepare the marinated fruit, combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, and let stand 1 hour. Drain the mixture in a sieve over a bowl, reserving the brandy and fruit mixture separately.

To prepare dough, dissolve yeast and 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar in warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, reserved brandy, milk, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup butter, salt, and egg to yeast mixture; beat at medium speed of a mixer until smooth.

Stir in marinated fruit, 1 1/2 cups flour, and almonds. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands.

Place in a bowl coated with cooking spray; turn to coat top. Cover; let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, about 2 hours. Dough will not double in size. (Press two fingers into dough. If indentation remains, the dough has risen enough.)

Punch dough down; let rest 5 minutes. Roll into a 13 x 8-inch oval on a lightly floured surface. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; fold dough over lengthwise, leaving a 3-inch border. Cover and let rise 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Uncover dough, and bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until browned and loaf sounds hollow when tapped; cool. Brush with 1 tablespoon butter; sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Nutritional Information
Calories:218 (24% from fat)
Fat:5.8g (sat 1g,mono 2.7g,poly 1.6g)
Protein:4.4g
Carbohydrate:33.2g
Fiber:1.4g
Cholesterol:14mg
Iron:1.6mg
Sodium:213mg
Calcium:32mg
Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 1999