Christmas Stollen

Ingredients

• 0.67 cups warm milk , 110 degrees F/45 degrees C
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 2.5 cups bread flour
• 0.33 cups white sugar
• 0.33 cups butter , softened
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 tablespoons salt
• 0.67 cups diced candied citron
• 0.33 cups currants
• 0.33 cups golden raisins
• 0.33 cups red candied cherries , quartered
• 6 ounces marzipan
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Place warm milk and yeast in a bowl. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Place yeast mixture, 2 cups bread flour, white sugar, butter, egg, and salt in a large mixing bowl; stir well to combine. Add remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.

4. 4

   When dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface; knead in candied citron, currants, golden raisins, and cherries. Continue kneading until smooth, about 8 minutes.

5. 5

   Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

6. 6

   Lightly grease a baking sheet. Deflate dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll marzipan into a rope and place in the center of the dough.

7. 7

   Fold dough over to cover it; pinch the seams together to seal. Place the loaf, seam-side down, on the prepared baking sheet.

8. 8

   Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes.

9. 9

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake stollen in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and bake for a further 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.

10. 10

    Let cool on a wire rack, then dust with confectioners' sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon.