Instructions: Germans traditionally eat Stollen around Christmastime.

from someone I went to school with. She, and her parents, who are from southern Germany, recommended it as quite an authentic recipe. It is indeed a very tasty and rich bread.

1. Dissolve the yeast in the water and proof it.

2. Add the sugar, eggs, egg yolk, butter and half of the flour. Beat for 10 minutes.

3. Blend in the remaining flour, nuts, fruits, and peel.

4. Let rise about 1 1/2 hours, until doubled.

5. Punch down, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

6. Knead the dough.

7. Roll into one or two rectangles, butter it, and fold over the edges to make a rolled loaf.

8. Place on a greased cookie sheet with the folded edges down. Spread with a combination of 1 egg white and 1 Tbsp water. Let rise until doubled in size (45 to 60 minutes).

9. Bake 30-35 minutes at 375 deg. F until golden brown. NOTES My loaves of stollen come out somewhat wide and short. Some traditionalists make them long and narrow. You can also make them in normal bread pans instead of on cookies sheets, in which case you should increase the baking time somewhat.

RATING Difficulty: moderate.

Time: hand-on time: 30 minutes; ris- ing times: 1 1/2 hours + overnight + 1 hour;

Baking Time: 30-35 minutes.

Precision: measure the ingredients, though you can experiment with the fruits and nuts.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.