Schnitzbrot German Christmas Bread Recipes

SCHNITZBRODT (GERMAN FRUIT BREAD)

Steps:

• Cover mixed dried fruit and apples with boiling water in saucepan and soak overnight.
• Next morning, cook until fruit is quite soft, about 15 minutes, then drain well in a colander.
• Chop or cut up fruit.
• Soften yeast in lukewarm water, add 1 Tbsp sugar and let stand 10 minutes.
• Add milk.
• Add 1 ½ C flour to make a sponge and set aside until bubbles break on top.
• Cream butter in a large mixing bowl.
• Add 1 C sugar and cream well.
• Mix in beaten eggs.
• Add the sponge, chopped fruits, salt, cinnamon, raisins, currants and nuts.
• Beat in 3 cups flour.
• Divide dough into fourths.
• Take out ¼ of the dough and knead on a floured pastry cloth or board adding enough flour to keep the dough soft but not sticky.
• Continue doing this 3 more times until all the dough has been worked up, then knead it all together.
• Lightly oil a clean bowl, take dough and run the top around the inside of the bowl, place it in the bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk.
• Knead lightly, divide into 4 portions and shape each into a loaf, place in greased loaf pans.
• Cover and let rise until double.
• Bake at 400° for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 350° and bake 45 minutes longer or until done.

SWISS CHRISTMAS BREAD

Steps:

• In a saucepan, heat milk, water, and butter or margarine until warm.
• In large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, nutmeg, mace, and cloves; mix well. Stir in warm milk mixture and egg. Blend with an electric mixer at low speed until moistened; beat 3 minutes at medium speed. By hand, stir in raisins, cherries, citron, nuts, and enough remaining flour to make a firm dough.
• Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, 5 to 8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover. Let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Punch dough down. Shape into a round loaf, and place in a greased 2 quart casserole. Cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Brush top of loaf with melted butter, and sprinkle lightly with 1 teaspoon sugar.
• Bake at 375 degrees F ( 190 degrees C) for 40 to 45 minutes, until deep golden brown. If too dark, cover loosely with foil last 5 to 10 minutes of baking. Cool.