Pear and Pecan Stollen
Stollen originates from Germany, where it has been prepared during the festive season since the Middle Ages. The classic version is made with raisins and marzipan, but the modern kitchen has seen an increasing number of reimagined versions. The pear and pecan version is a special twist on the traditional recipe: the pear adds natural sweetness and softness, while the pecan enriches it with a distinctive, crunchy texture. The kitchen fills with a festive atmosphere as the cake slowly bakes, and the scent of pear and cinnamon fills the air. A technical tip: lightly toasting the pecans beforehand in a dry pan will result in an even more intense flavor. This stollen is ideal for Christmas breakfasts, entertaining guests, or even as a perfect gift, as it can be stored for a long time.
Ingredients for this recipe
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Preparation Steps
1
Warm the milk slightly, then crumble the yeast into it. Add a teaspoon of sugar and let it proof for 10 minutes. This helps activate the yeast.
2
Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl, add the salt, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon zest. Then, mix in the proofed yeast mixture and the melted butter.
3
Peel, core, and dice the pears into small cubes. Roughly chop the pecans. Then, mix both into the dough. Tip: You can lightly sauté the pears beforehand so they remain softer after baking.
4
Knead the dough until it becomes elastic and uniform. Cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5
Turn the risen dough out onto a floured surface and shape it into an oblong stollen. Fold it slightly asymmetrically to achieve the classic shape.
6
Place the stollen on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Tip: Check halfway through and cover with aluminum foil if needed.
7
As soon as you take it out of the oven, brush it with melted butter while still warm, then sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. This gives it a truly festive appearance.
