Baking Weekend

And what to my wondering eyes appeared...........

This is a round robin from a few years ago............notice the reindeer over the house.......thus the title. John started wrapping.

I started baking. Saturday I did almond cresents, spritz (the cookie press broke with a dozen left - so they are round ornaments!), and melting moments.

This morning I started Stollen - the all day bread affair.

First the fruit and nuts get warmed in the oven.

Some sugars, milks, yeast and mashed potatoes are readied..............it's a potato based bread.

Everything is put together and must be kneaded for 10 minutes. I do this in 2 sessions, then combine the pile for a few minutes.

It goes in the warm oven for a rise............about 2 1/2 hours.

Meanwhile, the counter is clear and a good time for springerles. These have to be rolled out and pressed. They sit overnight and will be baked on anise seed in the morning.

The stollen has been kneaded and put into pans - 7 of them. Now baking..........in 2 shifts as my oven cannot handle 7 loaves!!!!!!!!!!!

It sure smelled wonderful................the slight drift of anise and the baking bread............

You can see my Kuhlman manhattan and the steaks for the grill that John will cook for dinner.

I'm DONE in the kitchen...........for today.

Looking forward to stollen for breakfast in the morning. We like in toasted........with a little butter..........YUM!!!!!!!!