German Stollen

Ingredients

• 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 ounces compressed fresh yeast
• 1 pinch white sugar
• 1 tablespoon lukewarm milk
• 1.5 cups milk
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs yolks
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.75 cups chopped blanched almonds
• 1.25 cups raisins
• 6 tablespoons candied lemon peel
• 6 tablespoons chopped candied orange peel
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather all ingredients.

2. 2

   Place flour in a large bowl, make a well in the center, and crumble fresh yeast into it. Sprinkle in sugar and add 1 tablespoon milk. Cover and let rise at a warm place for 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Heat 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat until butter is melted.

4. 4

   Pour milk-butter mixture over yeast mixture and add 1 cup sugar, egg yolks, and salt. Knead until a soft dough forms. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

5. 5

   Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

6. 6

   Mix almonds, raisins, candied lemon peel, and candied orange peel together and fold into the dough. Shape dough into a loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rest until the loaf has risen again slightly, about 30 minutes.

7. 7

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

8. 8

   Bake in the preheated oven until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush hot stollen immediately with 2 tablespoons melted butter and dust with confectioners' sugar.

9. 9

   Serve and enjoy!