Baking Powder Stollen

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb ricotta cheese
• 1/2 lb butter (softened)
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs (room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon rind
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/8 teaspoon rum extract
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup ground almonds (blanched)
• 5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup diced citron
• 1/4 cup diced orange rind
• 4 ounces butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350°f.
• 2 sift all dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
• 3 beat all other ingredients except fruit together in a large bowl.
• 4 add dry ingredients to bowl and combine thoroughly.
• 5 add fruit and mix well.
• 6 place dough on floured surface and knead lightly. (if too sticky, add a little more flour).
• 7 cut dough into 2 equal pieces.
• 8 shape each piece into stollen shape and place both on large cookie sheet (keep loaves at least 4 inches from one another to allow room for rising in the oven).
• 9 bake for 30 minutes.
• 10 reduce heat to 300°f and bake an additional 20-25 minutes.
• 11 when done, wait 5 minutes and spread each with melted butter and sprinkle thickly with powdered sugar to form a glaze.
• 12 enjoy.