Recipe for the Stutenmann or Weckmann (breadman)

It's been an exciting day yesterday. Unfortunately as a permanent resident/greencard holder - I don't get to vote! I found it very hard this time to be a bystander. Living between two countries- being in a nowhereland - not able to vote in either country - is very frustrating! But what an amazing time to be here and witness this historic moment...

I promised you a recipe for the little breadman, I believe. Remember my article about Saint Martin form last Wednesday? If you have time you should try and make them with the kids!

Ingredients for 6 little Guys:

600 grams of flour

40 grams of fresh yeast ( if not available use about 2.25 teaspoons of dry yeast)

1 cup of lukewarm milk

2 eggs

60 grams of sugar

100 grams of butter ( a little less than one stick)

a pinch of salt,

grated lemon zest from one whole lemon

a touch of vanilla

Raisins and almonds to make mouth,eyes, buttons

Sift flour into a bowl and make a hole in the center. Mix the warmish milk with the yeast and pour it into the hole. Gently mix it in with some of the flour scooped from the sides of the hole. Germans call that the Vorteig=Predough.

Cover the bowl with a towel and let rest in a warm place for 15 minutes. Add the melted butter, eggs, salt, sugar, lemon zest to the mixture and blend it all together. Knead the dough until nice and smooth. Let it rest again for 15 minutes.

Roll out the dough about 1/2 inch thick and cut out or shape into breadman. Decorate as shown in the pictures. Children love to help with this! Rub on some beaten egg yolks to give a nice brown shiny tint! Let them rest another 15 minutes before baking.

In Germany the breadman usually come with a pipe made of clay. I prefer the non-smoking kind =).

Bake at about 380 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Hope you have time to make them with the kids!

Enjoy!

Peace, Ulla

http://www.germandolls.etsy.com/