Stollen Bites - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Starter
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup lukewarm water
2 teaspoons instant yeast
Fruit
1/4 cup dried pineapple, 1/4 inch dice
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup candied cherry
2 tablespoons rum
Dough
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons softened butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 cup toasted almond, chopped
Topping
1/2 cup butter (1/2 cup)
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Preparation

Starter:.
Mix flour and yeast in a medium bowl. Add water and mix, let sit for 1/2 hour to an hour.
Fruit:.
Mix together and set aside to allow fruit to absorb the liquor.
Dough:.
Combine starter and dough ingredients, except almonds. Mix and knead to make a soft, shiny, elastic dough. towards the end, knead in the fruits (along with any liquid) and almonds. Allow to rise covered for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Turn dough onto surface and divide into 40 pieces, roll each into ball. Place on parchment-lined sheets. Cover and let rise for about 45 minutes. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 18 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool 10 minutes. Toss with melted butter and then confectioner's sugar. Cool completely before wrapping and storing. Keep well for a week at room temperature. Freeze for longer storage.
Note: I added some almond paste and put pieces in the middle of the balls before putting to rise the second time. Also, I used the green candied cherries for good color.