Stollen

Ingredients

• 2 containers 4 oz each mixed candied fruits
• 12 c seedless raisins
• 2 envelopes dry yeast
• 34 c plus 12 tsp granulated sugar
• 34 c 1 12 sticks unsalted butter or regular oleo softened
• 3 eggs
• 1 c blanched almonds coarsely chopped
• 12 stick butter or oleo melted
• 1 4 oz container candied cherries
• 1 12 c milk
• 12 tsp salt
• 14 tsp ground cardamon
• 1 tsp grated lemon rind
• 34 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp rum flavoring
• 8 c all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Combine fruits and nuts in bowl and dredge with 14 cup flour Heat milk in small saucepan or in microwave bowl in microwave oven until very warm not hot
2. Pour into large bowl
3. Sprinkle yeast and the 12 teaspoon sugar into milk
4. Stir to dissolve let stand until bubbly about 10 minutes
5. Stir in remaining sugar softened shortening eggs salt cardamon lemon rind almond and rum flavorings and 3 cups of the flour
6. Beat until smooth
7. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough
8. Turn out onto a floured surface
9. Knead until smooth and elastic about 15 minutes using only as much additional flour as needed to keep dough from sticking