Best Kates Raisin Date Nut Stollen Yeast Free German Fruitcake Recipes

KATE'S RAISIN, DATE, NUT STOLLEN (YEAST FREE GERMAN FRUITCAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, brown sugar, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter with pastry blender until coarse crumbs form.
• In a separate bowl, mash cottage cheese, egg, lemon zest, orange zest, and vanilla together until cottage cheese curds are smooth (I do this with a potato masher). Add raisins, dates, and almonds and stir until combined. Add flour mixture and stir with hand just until dough is formed. Place dough on lightly floured surface. Knead lightly 10 times.
• Form into an 8 by 10 inch oval. Pat dough to an even thickness for even baking. Place stollen on a greased parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 350F degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hr 15 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cover with aluminum foil after 45 minutes of baking to prevent burning. Note: Stollen burns easily.
• Remove stollen from the oven but leave it on the baking sheet. Brush hot stollen with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Immediately, dust the stollen thoroughly with confectioner's sugar. Place baking sheet with stollen on wire rack to cool. When cool, discard parchment paper. Wrap stollen in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and allow to set for 2 days at room temperature to combine flavors before cutting or consuming. (Setting for 2 days makes the loaf moister and tastier). Keeps for 1 week at room temperature or longer if refrigerated. Freezes well.

MRS. MAUS'S FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 275 degrees. Butter five 6-by-2-inch round cake pans. Butter five strips of 18-by-3-inch parchment paper to form a collar for each pan.
• Cream butter and 2 cups sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in molasses and 2 cups of candied fruit, blending well. Remove batter to a large bowl and add one-quarter of the nuts. Sift in flour and allspice 1 cup at a time, mixing well between additions. Add remaining candied fruit and nuts, stirring with a spoon. Divide batter evenly among pans; bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. While still warm, brush with 1/3 cup brandy mixed with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar. Let cool on wire rack.
• Gently remove cakes from pans and remove paper collars. Decorate cakes with glaceed fruits and candied cherries and kumquats. Heat apricot jam and remaining 1/3 cup brandy in a small saucepan over medium heat. Strain and brush over fruits to hold in place.

TRADITIONAL STOLLEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, salt and 3 cups flour. Add the raisins, candied fruit and almonds. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. , Punch dough down and divide in half; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll or press each half into a 12x7-in. oval. Fold a long side over to within 1 in. of opposite side; press edge lightly to seal. Place on greased baking sheets; curve ends slightly. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour. , Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Combine confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; spread over stollen.

GERMAN FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar together.
• Separate eggs and add the yolks to the butter, beating well.
• Sift together the flour and the spices.
• Mix the buttermilk and baking soda together, then add some to the butter mixture,alternating with the flour mixture, until all is incorporated.
• Add the preserves and the nuts, stirring gently.
• Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl with clean beaters until stiff peaks form, then fold gently into the batter.
• Scrape into a large greased& floured Bundt pan or tube pan and bake at 350 F preheated for 1 1/2 hours or until cake tests done.
• Let cool before removing from pan.