1-Prepare Ingredients: First, measure and set out all ingredients to keep things organized and fun in the kitchen. Warm the milk to activate the yeast, mixing it until frothy and letting it rest for 5-10 minutes it’s like giving the yeast a little wake-up call. Next, combine the flour, remaining sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, lemon zest, salt, and spices with the yeast mixture in a large bowl.

2-Kneading and Rising the Dough: Knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic, which takes about 7-8 minutes, then let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until nearly doubled in size. Once risen, punch down the dough and mix in the drained soaked fruit and nuts for that burst of holiday flavor. Divide the dough into two halves and shape each into a 1-inch thick oval loaf.

3-Final Shaping and Baking: If using marzipan, roll it into a log the length of the oval and place it in the center before folding the dough sides over with a slight overlap to form the classic Stollen shape. Let the shaped loaves rest for 40-60 minutes, then bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes until golden and reaching an internal temperature of 190°F.

4-Finishing Touches: After baking, poke holes with a toothpick and brush the warm loaves with melted butter, then dust generously with powdered sugar. Cool them completely and wrap tightly to age for 2-3 weeks, though you can enjoy them fresh if you’re eager.