German Christmas Stollen

Instructions

1. Prepare the dried fruits
   In a small bowl, combine the dried fruits with rum or brandy. Let soak for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight if possible. This will plump up the fruits and infuse them with flavor.
2. Make the dough
   In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. Warm the milk until lukewarm, then add to the dry ingredients along with softened butter and eggs. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Add flavorings
   Drain the soaked fruits. Add them to the dough along with chopped almonds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and cardamom. Knead gently until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
4. First rise
   Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. The dough should feel light and airy when poked gently.
5. Shape the stollen
   Punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Roll the marzipan into a log the length of the dough rectangle. Place the marzipan in the center of the dough, then fold one side of the dough over it, leaving the other side exposed. This creates the traditional stollen shape.
6. Second rise and bake
   Transfer the shaped stollen to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for another 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 50-60 minutes, until golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean.
7. Apply butter coating
   While still hot from the oven, brush the stollen generously with melted butter. This helps to preserve moisture and creates a surface for the powdered sugar to adhere to.
8. Finish with powdered sugar
   When the stollen has cooled completely, dust liberally with powdered sugar. For the traditional look, apply a thick layer of powdered sugar. The stollen tastes best after being stored for a few days, allowing the flavors to mature and meld together.