Yuletide Stollen

You’ll Need:

# 4 oz. (125g) sultanas
# 1 lb. (450g) flour
# 6oz. (175g) castor sugar
# 7fl. oz. (200ml) milk, lukewarm
# 1 oz. (25g) yeast
# 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
# 2 eggs, beaten
# 1 tsp. ground allspice
# 4 oz. (125g) chopped mixed peel
# 3 oz. walnuts, chopped

For the icing

# 8 oz. (450g) icing sugar
# half a teaspoon of vanilla essence
# 1 tbsp. lemon juice
# 1 oz. butter, melted

Procedures : # Put 1 tsp. of castor sugar, 2 tbsps. of lukewarm milk and the yeast in a bowl and mix to a paste
# Leave in a warm place until the mixture is frothy, about 15 minutes
# Sift the flour, cinnamon and allspice into another bowl
# Add the remaining castor sugar, yeast mixture, the rest of the milk, beaten eggs and mix to a smooth dough
# Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic then set aside in a warm place until the dough doubles in size, about one hour
# Knead the dough for 5 minutes then add the sultanas, mixed peel and walnuts and keep kneading until they are evenly spread through the dough
# Turn the dough to a lightly floured board and shape into an oval
# Transfer to a well greased baking tin and leave in a warm place for 30 minutes
# Bake in a pre-heated oven, 400F, Gas Mark 6, 200C for 10 minutes
# Reduce the heat to 350F, Gas Mark 4, 180C and bake for 30-35 minutes
# Allow to cool on a wire rack
# Put the melted butter, vanilla and lemon juice into a bowl and beat together
# Add the icing sugar and beat until the mixture thickens to a spreading consistency
# Coat the bread evenly with icing sugar and decorate with a Christmas garlan