Delicious Christmas Stollen Bread Recipe

Start by sorting through the raisins, cherries, cranberries, and candied fruits. Rinse them under cold water and let them dry on a paper towel. Combine them in a separate bowl, then pour in the cognac.

Seal the container tightly and allow the fruits to soak overnight. If using orange juice, refrigerate the mixture until ready to use.

In a large mixing bowl, sift the majority of the flour (about 330 grams). Sprinkle the dry yeast over the flour and mix well.

Add in the sugar, vanilla sugar, spices, and salt, then create a small well in the center and pour in the warm milk. Ensure the milk temperature is no higher than 40 °C (104 °F).

Add the room temperature egg into the well, and using a fork or whisk, start mixing the ingredients from the center, gradually incorporating the flour.

As the dough begins to take shape, add the softened butter and orange zest into the mixture and continue to knead until well combined.

Knead the dough for about 15 minutes until it becomes elastic, smooth, and pliable. It should no longer stick to your hands.

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a clean bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm area (ideally between 32-38 °C or 90-100 °F) for 1 to 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.