Christmas Stollen - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 c. dark or golden raisins
1/4 c. chopped dried apricots
1/4 c. unsweetened apple juice or rum
1 pkg. or 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast
1/3 c. milk, heated to lukewarm (105~ to 110~)
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. margarine
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. grated lemon rind
1 to 1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sliced blanched almonds
1/2 c. low sugar apricot preserves

Preparation

Combine the raisins, apricots and apple juice (or rum) in a bowl.
Let soak overnight or for at least 4 hours.