German Christmas Bread Recipes

Steps:

• Place the raisins and currants in a bowl. Sprinkle the fruit with 3 tablespoons of the sugar and the rum, if used. Covered the bowl and let stand for 24 hours.
• Stir the compressed or dry yeast into the lukewarm milk. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the yeast mixture into the well and stir a little of the surrounding flour into the liquid. Cover with a cloth and let stand in a warm place for about 30 minutes. Measure the butter and let stand at room temperature.
• Sprinkle the remaining sugar, the nutmeg, ginger and grated lemon and orange rind over the flour. Mix the dry ingredients into the yeast mixture and beat in the softened, but not melted, butter. Knead the dough well on a floured board until no longer sticky. Place in a bowl, cover with a cloth and let stand in a warm place for several hours until doubled in bulk. Sprinkle the raisins and currants with the 1 tablespoon of flour and knead into the dough on a floured board with the almonds and candied peel. Shape the dough into an oval. Cover with a cloth and let rise on the board, in a warm place, for 30 minutes.
• Using a rolling pin, make a deep depression lengthwise along the center of the oval and fold one half down over the other. Place the dough on a warm baking sheet lined with waxed paper or parchment paper. Once more cover the dough with a cloth and let rise for a further 30 minutes.
• Bake in the center of a preheated moderately hot oven 375°F for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and, while still warm, spread liberally with the butter. Then coat thickly with the confectioners' sugar.
• NOTE: Since Christmas bread matures and improves in flavor on keeping, it is advisable to make it at least 1 month before it is required, and keep in an airtight container or wrap in aluminum foil.

Steps:

• Place the dried pears, figs, prunes, raisins or sultanas, candied orange and lemon peel, and the spices into a medium saucepan with a cup of water, the sugar, and the kirsch or rum. Bring just to a boil over high heat, stirring often. Immediately remove from heat and cover; set aside to steep.
• Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl dissolve the yeast in a half cup of the lukewarm steeping liquid, and let sit until bubbling (about 5 minutes).
• Gradually stir the flour into the yeast mixture, adding a little more liquid or flour if necessary to make a firm dough. Wrap the dough with a clean tea towel, and leave to rise for 30 minutes.
• Gradually add the nuts, candied orange and lemon peel, and the dried fruit and knead well into the dough. Form the dough into a loaf. Leave to rise for an hour again.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Butter the baking sheet (or line with parchment paper), and bake the loaf for about an hour (50 to 60 minutes).
• Let cool for 5-10 minutes before removing bread to rack. Allow to cool completely.
• Wrap bread in cling wrap and then in foil, and place in a cool spot or the refrigerator to mellow for up to several weeks.
• Allow bread to come to room temperature before serving. Serve sliced with or without fresh butter, as desired. Good with a cuppa. Frohes Fest!