Stollen

Stollen is a traditional German fruit bread filled with dried fruits, nuts, and spices. It is often enjoyed during the Christmas season.

Ingredients - Serves 12

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