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Weckmänner (Stutenkerle) – Sweet Yeast Dough Buns

A delicious and fluffy sweet yeast dough bread creation for the winter holiday season.
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 25 minutes
Author The Kitchen Maus

Ingredients

For yeast proofing

  • 1/4 cup of lukewarm water 100 - 110F
  • teaspoon for yeast proofing
  • 1 package of active dry yeast 1 tablespoon

For rest of the dough

  • 1/4 cup of sugar
  • 1.5 - 2 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1 egg
  • 5 tablespoons of vegetable oil or canola
  • The zest of one large lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 4 cups of all purpose flour divided in half

For decoration

  • 1 lightly beaten egg for coating
  • Raisins
  • Almond slices

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar in 1/4 cup of lukewarm water. Sprinkle in yeast and let it stand for 5 - 10 minutes, or until foamy. Stir in milk, egg, oil, lemon zest, vanilla sugar and the rest of the sugar (1/4 cup). Mix in 2 cups of flour and let it sit for 8 - 10 minutes.
  2. Add the rest of the flour (2 cups) to make a nice, soft dough, adding more if needed. Put dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 - 10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place dough into a clean, greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides. Cover it and let rise in a warm place, about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
  3. Punch down dough and then divide into 8 pieces. Shape into desired pieces (animals, snowmen, people, etc). Place on greased or parchment paper lined cookie sheet, leaving enough room for dough to expand. Insert raisins, almond slices, dried cranberries, etc, for details and facial features. Cover and let it sit for 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat oven to 400F. Gently brush with egg wash or milk. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets and cool on racks.
  5. Makes 8 sweet yeast dough bread creatures.

Recipe Notes

- If raisins aren’t your thing, you use dried cranberries, currants or pretty much any small pieces of dried fruit.
- Once baked you can dip them in semi-sweet chocolate or drizzle on a basic sugar glaze for extra flavour or sweetness.

Adapted from The Best of German Cooking