Oma’s Marzipan Stollen

My German grandma made this stollen for us when we were young. I love its homey taste and how it reminds me of her and the food she made. I often freeze this sweet bread once it’s shaped into a braid—then I can pull it out the night before, let it rise on the counter overnight, and bake it in the morning.

—Abigail Leszczynski, Beaufort, SC

PREP: 30 MIN. + RISING • BAKE: 30 MIN. • MAKES: 1 LOAF (16 SLICES)

• 3 to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 1 pkg. (¼ oz.) active dry yeast
• 1 ¼ cups 2% milk
• 6 Tbsp. butter, cubed
• 2 tsp. grated lemon zest

FILLING

• 1 can (12 ½ oz.) almond cake and pastry filling
• 1 cup finely ground almonds
• 1 Tbsp. 2% milk
• 1 tsp. rum extract

GLAZE

• ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
• ½ to 1 tsp. 2% milk

1. 1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, the sugar and yeast. In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter to 120°-130°. Add to the dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add lemon zest; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
2. 2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
3. 3. For filling, in a large bowl, beat almond pastry filling, almonds, milk and extract. Punch dough down; turn onto a floured surface. Divide into thirds. Roll each portion into a 15x6-in. rectangle. Spread each portion with a third of the filling to within ¼ in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long slide; pinch seam to seal. Place ropes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make a ½-in.-deep cut lengthwise down the center of each rope, stopping ½ in. from ends. Keeping the cut surfaces facing up, braid ropes. Pinch ends to seal; tuck under.
4. 4. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 375° until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Combine glaze ingredients to desired consistency; drizzle over warm stollen.

1 SLICE: 270 cal., 10g fat (4g sat. fat), 13mg chol., 73mg sod., 41g carb. (16g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g pro.