Almond Stollen Bites

Delightful bites of almond stollen, a traditional German Christmas bread, filled with dried fruits and nuts, and dusted with confectioner's sugar. Perfect for the holiday season.

Ingredients

1	cup all-purpose flour
3/4	cup lukewarm water
2	teaspoons instant yeast
1/4	cup dried pineapple, 1/4 inch dice
1/4	cup dried cranberries
1/4	cup candied cherry
2	tablespoons rum
2 1/2	all-purpose flour
6	tablespoons softened butter
1/3	cup sugar
1/4	cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 1/4	teaspoons salt
1	teaspoon almond extract
2	teaspoons vanilla extract
1	tablespoon orange zest
1/2	cup toasted almond, chopped
1/2	cup butter
2	confectioners' sugar

Instructions

• 1. Prepare the Starter:
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together all-purpose flour and instant yeast. Add lukewarm water and mix well. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour to activate.
  3. Prepare the Fruits:
  4. In a separate bowl, combine dried pineapple, dried cranberries, candied cherry, and rum. Mix well and set aside to allow the fruits to absorb the liquor.
  5. Prepare the Dough:
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the activated starter, all-purpose flour, softened butter, sugar, nonfat dry milk powder, salt, almond extract, vanilla extract, orange zest, and toasted almonds. Knead the dough until soft, shiny, and elastic. Towards the end of kneading, incorporate the soaked fruits and almonds. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Once risen, divide the dough into 40 pieces, shaping each into a ball. Place the balls on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover and let them rise for about 45 minutes.
  7. Bake and Serve:
  8. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the stollen bites for 18 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Lightly toss the warm bites with melted butter and then dust with confectioner's sugar. Let them cool completely before wrapping and storing. These almond stollen bites can be kept at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
  9. Chef's Note:
  10. For an extra indulgent touch, add almond paste in the center of each dough ball before the second rise. Additionally, using green candied cherries can add a pop of festive color to the bites.

Jul 19, 2024