Christmas Recipes
Christmas Stollen
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup mixed candied fruit, chopped
- 2 tablespoons brandy
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup ground almonds
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Whole candied cherries
- Whole almonds
Instructions
- Combine first three ingredients and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Combine next 8 ingredients. Cut in butter with food processor or mixer until mixture resembles coarse meal. Process cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, raisin mixture, and walnuts to dry ingredients. Stir until moistened.
- Shape dough into a large ball. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth (2 minutes), adding more flour if necessary. Roll dough to form an oval, about 12 x 8 1/2 inches. Brush dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Fold long side of dough over to within about 1 1/2 inches of the opposite side. Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Brush with remaining melted butter. Transfer stollen to wire rack to cool.
- Combine confectioners' sugar and milk. Stir until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bread.
- Garnish with candied cherries and almonds.