The 2010 December Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Penny of Sweet Sadie’s Baking. She chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ to make Stollen. She adapted a friend’s family recipe and combined it with information from friends, techniques from Peter Reinhart’s book.........and Martha Stewart’s demonstration.
Stollen is a fruitcake made with yeast, water and flour, and usually dried citrus peel, dried fruit, almonds, and spices (cinnamon, cardamom, mace). The dough is rich with butter and eggs and slightly sweetened with sugar. The fruits are soaked in brandy or rum and the finished cake is sprinkled with icing sugar.I used a combination of recipes from the kitchen staple cookbooks: The Fannie Farmer Baking Book and the Joy of Cooking.I made a non-traditional shape - a braid instead of a wreath or loaf. I just couldn't bring myself to cover up the beautiful, golden-brown, fruit-studded bread, so I opted out of the powdered sugar on top.
It was very festive looking and very tasty and reminded me of hot cross buns! This was the first stollen I've made, but I'm sure it will make my holiday list in years to come. Thank you, Penny, for opening my eyes and tastebuds to this delicious sweet bread!
12 comments:
Great braid effect that you got this lovely stollen's skin ;)
It looks delish great job on the challenge.
Love the braid - what a festive way to prepare the stollen! Looks absolutely delicious. Great job and enjoy your holidays!!
drool-worthy !!!
Very pretty, my mouth is watering... Happy holidays!!!
Mmm...I like the idea of glaze on the stollen and the braiding looks lovely.
Fantastic braid! I love the drizzle of glaze and the texture of the stollen looks so soft and light. Great job!
I took pictures of my stollen before I smothered it with powdered sugar, and I think your instincts are right. The braid idea - pure genius!
Fantastic braid!, my mouth is watering!..I love the drizzle of glaze..sOo yummmm!!!
Your braid looks fantastic! I get hungry just by looking at it!
Really great idea to braid the dough. Did it keep well without the icing sugar topping?
I am so jealous of your braided stollen...it looks fantastic! With the glaze it reminded me of a danish somewhat. I will definitely try your idea next time!
Post a Comment