Stollen Twists

Overview
This is a delicious braided bread made during Christmas time with dried fruits and nuts and covered with lemon glaze. The braiding on the bread makes a very elegant presentation. You can use any dried fruits and nuts that you like. I have used candied red and green cherries and cashews. Lemon Zest and cardamom adds a very unique aroma and flavor to this bread.

Stollen Twists

Ingredients
1 cup milk
3/4 stick butter
4 cups flour plus 3 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 packet dry yeast(2 1/4 tsp)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
2 large eggs
2/3 cups diced candied cherries
1/3 cup diced roasted cashews
1/3 cup raisins
1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water

For lemon Glaze
1 cup confectioners sugar
2 Tbs lemon juice

Steps
1. Heat milk and butter in a small saucepan over low heat until butter is melted.
2. In a large bowl mix the flour, sugar, yeast and salt. Gradually add in the warm milk and butter mixture, cardamom powder, lemon zest and eggs and mix well. Mix well to make a sticky dough. Sprinkle with the 3 Tbsp flour.
3. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in warm place about an hour until it is doubled.
4.Mix the dried fruits and nuts. Transfer into a flour surface and knead well.
5. Divide dough into half and each half into 3 and make  3 long ropes.
6. Place the 3 dough ropes on a oiled cookies sheet. Pinch ends and braid the bread. Pinch the ends too. Repeat with the next three ropes to form another loaf too.
7. Cover the braided breads with plastic warp and let it rise again till it is doubled in size.
8.  Brush braids evenly with 1 large egg beaten with water and bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes till the loaf is golden .
9. Transfer bread to wire racks and while warm drizzle with lemon glaze.

Let it cool to room temperature slice and serve.