Stollen Spirals Recipes

STOLLEN

Steps:

• Prepare Fruit: Combine the mixed fruit, raisins, and rum. Cover and set aside. Shake or stir the mixture every so often to coat the fruit with the rum.
• Prepare Sponge: In a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast in the water to soften. Heat the milk to 110 degrees F and add it to the yeast along with the honey and 1 cup flour. Cover the sponge with plastic wrap and let rise until light and full of bubbles, about 30 minutes.
• By Hand: Add the fruit mixture, honey, egg, butter, zest, salt, mace, almonds, and 2 cups of the flour to the sponge. Beat vigorously for 2 minutes. Gradually add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until the dough begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Knead, adding flour a little at a time, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
• By Mixer: In the mixer bowl, add the fruit mixture, honey, egg, butter, zest, salt, mace, almonds, and 2 cups of the flour to the sponge. Using the paddle, beat the mixture on medium low speed for 2 minutes. Gradually add the remaining flour 1/4 cup at a time until the dough begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. Change to the dough hook. Continue to add flour 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough just begins to clean the bowl. Knead 4 to 5 minutes on medium-low.
• First rise: Put the dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat the entire ball of dough with oil. Cover with a tightly woven towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Shape and Fill: Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface. For 1 large loaf, roll the dough into a 9 by 13-inch oval. For 2 loaves, divided the dough in half and roll each half into a 7 by 9-inch oval. Brush the melted butter over the top of the oval(s). Combine the cinnamon and granulated sugar and sprinkle over one lengthwise half of the oval(s). Fold the dough in half lengthwise and carefully lift the bread(s) onto a parchment-lined or well-greased baking sheet. Press lightly on the folded side to help the loaf keep its shape during rising and baking.
• Second rise: Cover with a tightly woven towel and let rise for 45 minutes.
• Preheat oven: About 10 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake and cool: Bake for 25 minutes until the internal temperature of the bread reaches 190 degrees F. Immediately remove from the baking sheet and place on a rack to cool.
• To serve: Sprinkle heavily with confectioners' sugar just before serving.
• Variation: Between 2 pieces of waxed paper or plastic wrap, roll 3 ounces almond paste or marzipan into the lengthwise shape of half the oval. Omit the butter and cinnamon-sugar filling. Place the marzipan on half of the oval and fold the dough in half. Let rise and bake as directed.
• Notes: One cup coarsely chopped mixed dried fruits may be substituted for the candied fruit. Cover the dried fruit with boiling water and let sit at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours. Drain and use as you would candied fruit. You can also make your own candied fruit and peel. This bread freezes nicely for up to 6 months. If freezing it, do not sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. To serve, first thaw the bread, then bake on a baking sheet in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 7 to 10 minutes. Just before serving, sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

STOLLEN

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, mace, nutmeg, and yeast. Stir in warm milk, 1 1/4 cups melted butter and 1/2 cup warm water. Add eggs and stir to combine. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until fairly smooth.
• Add the dried fruits, candied fruits, almonds, and lemon zest to the dough and continue kneading on a floured board for about 10 minutes. If dough is sticky, knead in more flour.
• Place dough in buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours.
• Roll each portion of marzipan into a 12-inch log. Punch down dough and cut into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-by-8-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter to coat, place marzipan log in center of dough and fold one long side to the center then fold the other long side over first side, overlapping it by 1 inch.
• Turn loaves over, taper the ends, and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover loaves with plastic wrap and let rise again in a warm place, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake stollen until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush all over with room temperature butter and sprinkle with superfine sugar to cover. Let cool completely before serving.

TRADITIONAL STOLLEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine yeast and 1/2 cup warm water, and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Stir in milk and 1 1/4 cups melted butter. Add dissolved yeast and eggs. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until fairly smooth.
• In two separate bowls, soak currants in cognac, and raisins in orange juice. Let each stand for 10 minutes.
• In a medium-size bowl, mix together currants and raisins with their soaking liquids, the orange peel, lemon zest, citron, apricots, and almonds. Work mixture into dough. Continue kneading for about 10 minutes. If dough is sticky, knead in more flour, but be careful not to overwork.
• Place dough in a large buttered bowl. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel, and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours.
• Punch down the dough, and cut in quarters. Roll each piece into a 12-by-8-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter, then fold one long side to the center. Fold other long side over first side, overlapping it by 1 inch. Turn dough over, taper the ends, and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat for remaining 3 loaves, using a second parchment-lined baking sheet for the third and fourth loaves. Cover loaves with plastic wrap; let rise again in a warm place, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees, with two racks centered. Bake stollen until golden brown, about 35 minutes, rotating the sheets between the racks halfway through baking. Cool on wire rack; dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve.

TEAR AND SHARE STOLLEN SPIRALS

Steps:

• Mix orange zest, juice and dried fruit in a bowl. Set aside until needed. Heat milk and butter in a small pan until butter melts. Cool until just warm.
• Meanwhile, using a freestanding mixer fitted with a dough hook, or in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, mix flour, yeast, caster sugar, mixed spice and pinch of fine salt. Whisk egg into milk mixture, add to the flour bowl and mix to bring together to a soft dough (if looking a little dry, add a splash more milk). Knead on medium speed if using a mixer, or tip on to a lightly floured surface and knead by hand, until soft and springy - about 5-10min.
• Return dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover and leave in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 11/2hr.
• Grease and line a 20.5 x 30.5cm (8 x 12in) roasting tin with baking parchment, then grease parchment. Lightly flour a work surface and roll out dough to a 28 x 38cm (11 x 15in) rectangle. Lightly flour work surface again and roll out almond paste/marzipan to the same size. Brush dough lightly with water, then press almond paste rectangle on to it. Scatter over dried fruit mixture and almonds.
• Roll up from a long edge. Trim edges to neaten. Cut into 12 even slices and arrange cut-side up in the roasting tin. Cover with clingfilm and leave to rise again (prove) for 1hr, see GH Tip.
• Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan) mark 4. Bake buns for 35min until golden. Leave to cool in tin for 5min, then lift on to a wire rack using the parchment to cool.
• To serve, mix icing sugar and orange juice to a thick drizzling consistency and drizzle over the stollen spirals. Serve.

STOLLEN SPIRALS

Steps:

• Stir together the zest and juice, Cointreau, cranberries and mixed fruit in a small bowl and leave to soak.
• Meanwhile, mix the flour, yeast, caster sugar and nutmeg in a large bowl. Add ½ tsp salt and rub in the butter. Beat the egg with the warm milk, then pour onto the flour mix. Stir with a round-bladed knife, then use your hands to bring the mixture together as a soft dough.
• Tip onto a work surface and knead for a couple of mins, adding a little flour only if you need to stop it sticking. Oil the bowl, return the dough and cover with cling film. Leave to rise for 45 mins-1 hr in a warm place until doubled in size.
• Line and butter a large roasting tin with baking parchment. Roll the risen dough out firmly to a long strip about 70 x 18cm. Add the pistachios to the soaked fruit, then scatter the mix along the dough. Roll the marzipan into a sausage the same length as the longest side of the dough, then place it down the centre of the dough and roll up together firmly, a bit like making a sausage roll. Trim the ends, then cut the rest into even lengths and arrange, cut side up, in the tin. Cover with cling film and leave to rise for 45 mins-1 hr until really well risen.
• Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Bake for 15-20 mins until golden. Will freeze for up to 6 weeks. Brush with melted butter and dredge with icing sugar, or mix a little water into the icing sugar, drizzle over the buns and scatter over the nuts. Eat within 2 days.

STOLLEN BUTTER ROLLS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, eggs, butter, sugar, salt, yeast mixture and 3 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down; turn onto a floured surface. Knead candied fruit and currants into dough (knead in more flour if necessary). Divide and shape into 24 balls; flatten slightly. Place 1 teaspoon cold butter in center of each circle. Fold circles in half over butter; press edges to seal. Place in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes., Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Cool in pan 5 minutes; serve warm. Freeze option: Freeze cooled rolls in airtight containers. To use, microwave each roll on high until warmed, 30-45 seconds.

TRADITIONAL STOLLEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, salt and 3 cups flour. Add the raisins, candied fruit and almonds. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. , Punch dough down and divide in half; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll or press each half into a 12x7-in. oval. Fold a long side over to within 1 in. of opposite side; press edge lightly to seal. Place on greased baking sheets; curve ends slightly. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour. , Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Combine confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; spread over stollen.

OLD FASHIONED STOLLEN

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling; mix in 1/2 cup sugar, salt, lemon zest, and butter. Remove from heat, and cool slightly. In a small bowl, mix together yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 cup water; stir into milk. Beat in 2 eggs and egg yolks. Mix in 3 cups flour. Cover, and let rise in a warm place.
• Mix in the raisins and nuts. Gradually mix in enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. Place dough in a well-oiled bowl, cover, and set aside to rise.
• Divide dough into 3 balls. Roll each ball out into a thick log, braid, and tuck the ends under. Place on a large cookie sheet, and set aside to rise one more time.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush beaten egg over the dough. It gives a shine to it.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.