Baking Powder Stollen - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Bread
1 lb ricotta cheese
1/2 lb butter (softened)
2 cups sugar
3 eggs (room temperature)
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon rind
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon rum extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup ground almonds (blanched)
5 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup diced citron
1/4 cup diced orange rind
Glaze
4 ounces butter (melted)
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Sift all dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
Beat all other ingredients except fruit together in a large bowl.
Add dry ingredients to bowl and combine thoroughly.
Add fruit and mix well.
Place dough on floured surface and knead lightly. (If too sticky, add a little more flour).
Cut dough into 2 equal pieces.
Shape each piece into stollen shape and place both on large cookie sheet (keep loaves at least 4 inches from one another to allow room for rising in the oven).
Bake for 30 minutes.
Reduce heat to 300\u00b0F and bake an additional 20-25 minutes.
When done, wait 5 minutes and spread each with melted butter and sprinkle thickly with powdered sugar to form a glaze.
Enjoy.