Daring Bakers: Stollen

The challenge for Daring Bakers this month was Stollen. Stollen is a traditional German cake/bread, almost like a fruit cake. It has candied fruit peel and dried fruit (I used raisins and craisins) and is so delicious. I lived in Germany for 7 years and loved going to the Christmas markets (that is where the cups you see in the picture came from). There was always Stollen for sale and the beautiful loaf covered in powdered sugar called my name more than once!

I was excited to be able to make Stollen this year. It brought me back to Germany and the fact that it was delicious was an added bonus!

One funny tidbit... My Stollen was almost stolen! :) After shaping the Stollen, I had scraps on the counter. I left the kitchen and then heard the paws of my Rhodesian Ridgeback hit the counter.... She was eating the dough scraps!!!! Luckily I had moved the dough that was to be baked further back so she didn't get it all!

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.