Kyrgyz Stollen

Ingredients

Kyrgyz Stollen differs from the original German Dresdner Stollen in a few ways. Firstly, the traditional German recipe uses ingredients like raisins and candied citrus peel, while the Kyrgyz version incorporates dried apricots and other dried fruits commonly found in Kyrgyz desserts. Additionally, the Kyrgyz Stollen includes aromatic spices like cardamom and cinnamon, which are not typically used in the German version. These adaptations give the Kyrgyz Stollen a distinct flavor profile that sets it apart from its German counterpart. We alse have the original recipe for Dresdner Stollen, so you can check it out.

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast 10g (2 tsp) instant yeast
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 250ml (1 cup) milk 250ml (1 cup) milk
• 150g (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, melted 150g (2/3 cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp salt
• 150g (1 cup) dried apricots, chopped 150g (1 cup) dried apricots, chopped
• 100g (2/3 cup) raisins 100g (2/3 cup) raisins
• 100g (2/3 cup) chopped walnuts 100g (2/3 cup) chopped walnuts
• 100g (2/3 cup) chopped almonds 100g (2/3 cup) chopped almonds
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 48g, 20g
• Protein: 7g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.3g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and sugar.
2. 2.
   Heat the milk until warm, then pour it into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
3. 3.
   Add the melted butter, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, and salt to the bowl. Mix well until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough back into the bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
7. 7.
   Punch down the risen dough and add the dried apricots, raisins, walnuts, and almonds. Knead the dough gently to distribute the fruits and nuts evenly.
8. 8.
   Shape the dough into a loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. 9.
   Bake the Kyrgyz Stollen in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. 10.
    Remove the Stollen from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
11. 11.
    Once cooled, dust the Stollen generously with powdered sugar.
12. 12.
    Slice and serve the Kyrgyz Stollen as a festive treat.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Dried apricots — Soak the dried apricots in warm water for 10 minutes before chopping them. This will help soften them and make them easier to incorporate into the dough.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more pronounced Kyrgyz flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cloves to the dough.
• If you prefer a sweeter Stollen, you can brush the loaf with melted butter and sprinkle it with additional powdered sugar after it has cooled.

Serving advice

Serve the Kyrgyz Stollen sliced, either on its own or with a cup of hot tea or coffee. It is best enjoyed during the holiday season or as a special treat for family and friends.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Kyrgyz Stollen, you can wrap it in a festive cloth or parchment paper tied with a ribbon. This will give it a traditional and inviting look.