Catholic Recipe: Kugelhopf

Also Called: Kugelhupf; Gugelhopf; Gugelhupf; Almond and Raisin Cake

From Germany, this is a traditional nameday cake. Also from Alsace region in France.

DIRECTIONS

Scald milk; stir in sugar, salt and margarine. Cool to lukewarm. Dissolve dry yeast in warm water (compressed in lukewarm) in a large warm bowl. (Rinse bowl with hot water and dry thoroughly.) Stir until dissolved. Stir in lukewarm milk mixture. Add beaten eggs and flour. Beat vigorously about 5 minutes. Cover; let rise in warm place, free from draft, until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours. Sprinkle fine bread crumbs over sides and bottom of well greased 1 1/2 quart casserole or fancy mold. Arrange almonds on bottom. Stir batter down. Beat thoroughly. Stir in raisins and grated lemon rind. Pour carefully into casserole or mold. Let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Bake at 350 degrees about 50 minutes. (Mrs. John Motz)