Vienna Christmas Stollen

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.02

Title: VIENNA CHRISTMAS STOLLEN
Categories: Breads
Yield: 2 servings

1 1/2 c Milk;scald/cool to lukewarm
3 1/2 Yeast;dry/envelopes
3/4 c Water; lukewarm
3 c Flour; sifted
1/2 c Eggs; yolks/lightly beaten
3/4 c Sugar
2 ts Salt
1 c Flour
1/2 c Butter; softened
Flour; 10-11 c. as needed
5 c Sultanas; (currants)
1 1/2 c Almonds;chopped or slivered
1 c Citron; chopped
1/2 Lemon; rind only/grated
2 ts Rum

Milk should be cooled to about 100 degrees. Dissolve the yeast in the
lukewarm water and add 1/4 c. of the cooled milk and 3 c. sifted flour.
Cover the sponge with a cloth and let it ripen until bubbles appear on the
surface and it is about to drop in the center. Pour the remaining milk over
the sponge. Add the egg yolks, sugar and salt and beat until the
ingredients are well blended. Add 1 cup flour and beat well. Blend in the
butter. Add more flour gradually to make a smooth dough, or until 10 to 11
cups have been added. Some flours absorb more liquid than others. Knead in
the sultanas, almonds, and citron, along with the lemon rind which should
be mixed with the rum. Knead the dough until the fruits and nuts are
dispersed well through it and it is smooth. Dust the top lightly with flour
and let it rise in a warm place about 45 minutes. Punch it down and let
stand for 20 minutes. Divide the dough in half and knead the pieces until
smooth. Let them stand for 10 minutes longer. Place one ball of dough on a
lightly floured board, and with a rolling pin, press down the center of the
ball, and roll the pin to and fro 4 to 5 times, pressing all the time to
make an elliptical shape 6 inches long and 3 1/2" wide. The center rolled
part should be 1/8" thick and 4 inches long. Both ends should remain
untouched, resembling rather thick lips. Place this rolled out piece of
dough on a buttered baking sheet and brush the center part with melted
butter. Fold one lip toward the other and on the top of it. Press the
fingertips down near and below the lips, pulling somewhat apart. Give a
pull away from each end, pointing them toward the lips. The shape should
resemble a waning moon. Repeat the process with the second piece of dough.
(Unless you have gone completely crazy by now! note: my comment, not
Gourmet's). Let the Stollen rise, covered in a warm place until they double
in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours. Bake them in a moderately hot oven (375
degrees) for 35 to 40 minutes. Do not overbake them. Cool them on racks.
Brush them with butter and cover with vanilla sugar. Recipe will be posted
under R-MM VANILLA SUGAR. Source: Gourmet , Old Vienna Cookbook Gourmet
Books, Inc., 1959 Barbara Day
:::GWHP32A

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