Traditional German Christmas Fruit Bread Kletzenbrot
This is a deliciously moist and dense bread, full of nuts and fruit, that keeps very well. Kletzenbrot is traditionally baked on st. Thomas day (december 21). Then it is wrapped and stored in the fridge until christmas eve. The story goes, if you cut into the bread before christmas, you will grow donkey's ears! 'kletzen' are sweet, dried pears. Cooking time includes a one and a half hour rising time for the bread.
Steps
Place the dried pears , figs , prunes , raisins or sultanas , candied orange and lemon peel , and the spices into a medium saucepan with a cup of water , the sugar , and the kirsch or rum.
Bring just to a boil over high heat , stirring often.
Immediately remove from heat and cover.
Set aside to steep.
Meanwhile , in a large mixing bowl dissolve the yeast in a half cup of the lukewarm steeping liquid , and let sit until bubbling.
Gradually stir the flour into the yeast mixture , adding a little more liquid or flour if necessary to make a firm dough.
Wrap the dough with a clean tea towel , and leave to rise for 30 minutes.
Gradually add the nuts , candied orange and lemon peel , and the dried fruit and knead well into the dough.
Form the dough into a loaf.
Leave to rise for an hour again.
Preheat the oven to 400f.
Butter the baking sheet , and bake the loaf for about an hour.
Let cool for 5-10 minutes before removing bread to rack.
Allow to cool completely.
Wrap bread in .
Ingredients
dried pears, dried figs, dried prunes, raisins, candied orange peel, candied lemon peel, kirschwasser, water, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, whole wheat flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, vanilla, blanched almond, walnuts, hazelnuts, butter