STOLLEN

Ingredients:

375g (12oz) strong white bread flour
1/4 level teaspoon of salt
2 level teaspoons easy blend yeast
150ml (1/4 pint) milk
75g (3oz) softened butter
50g (2oz) caster sugar
1 egg, size 3
50g (2oz) currants
50g (2oz) raisins
125g (4oz) sultanas
25g (1oz) mixed peel
25g (1oz) glace cherries, rinsed, dried and quartered
25g (1oz) chopped walnuts
175g (6oz) marzipan
125g (4oz) icing sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
To decorate: Candied peel or mixed candied fruit

Method:

1. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and place it in a warm oven for 10 minutes to warm slightly, then stir in the yeast and mix well.

2. Warm the milk and butter together, add the caster sugar, stir to dissolve, whisk the egg into the liquid, check it is not too warm then pour it onto the flour.

3. Mix until the mixture leaves the sides of the bowl cleanly. Now add the fruits, cherries and walnuts.

4. Turn the dough out onto a board and knead it for 4-5 minutes until the fruits are evenly distributed. Return it to the bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave it in a warm place until doubled in size.

5. When it is ready turn it out onto the board once more and knead it for another minute then lightly roll it into an oblong about 35cm x 20cm (14 x 8 inches)

6. Roll the marzipan into a sausage shape approx. 32cm (13 inches) long and lay it in the middle of the dough, then roll the dough around it, squeeze the ends to neaten the shape and place it on a lightly oiled baking sheet until it has doubled in size.

7. Lay a damp clean tea cloth over the dough to prevent it forming a skin and when it is well risen bake it in a pre-heated oven 190C, 375F, Gas Mark 5 for 35 minutes.

8. Allow it to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before lifting onto a cooling rack. Meanwhile make the icing by sifting the sugar into a bowl and mix with just enough lemon juice to form a stiff icing. Spread this along the top of the stollen while it is still warm. Decorate with candied peel or mixed candied fruit.

Why not make your own marzipan for the middle

http://homeeducatingmumof2.blogspot.com/2009/10/marzipan.html