Stollen

Ingredients

• Powdered sugar - For dusting
• Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts) - 1/2 cup
• Dried fruits (raisins, currants, candied citrus peel) - 1 cup
• Almond extract - 1 teaspoon
• Egg - 1
• Unsalted butter - 1/2 cup, melted
• Milk - 1 cup, warm
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Sugar - 1/4 cup
• Active dry yeast - 2 1/4 teaspoons
• All - purpose flour - 4 cups

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add the warm milk, melted butter, egg, and almond extract. Mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough and knead in the dried fruits and chopped nuts.
6. Shape the dough into a loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Cover the loaf with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
9. Bake the stollen for 45-50 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
10. Remove from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
11. Once cooled, dust the stollen with powdered sugar before serving.