Caramelized Onion Stollen

PREP TIME: hours 0 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hours 0 minutes

Ingredients
For the Caramelized Onions:
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Stollen Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) instant yeast
3/4 cup warm milk (plant-based also works)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
6 tablespoons softened butter
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds (optional but recommended)
1/2 cup golden raisins or chopped dried apricots (optional)

To finish:
4 tablespoons melted butter
Powdered sugar, for dusting

Directions
Caramelize the onions: Heat 1 tablespoon butter and one tablespoon butter in a large frying pan to medium heat on the stove top. Add onions and stir every few minutes until a deep, golden brown -- the entire process should take about 25-30 minutes. Salt the last few minutes of cooking. Once the onions are caramelized and all liquid has evaporated, remove from heat and let sit until room temperature.

Make the dough: In a bowl, sift together flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm milk, egg, vanilla, almond extract, and softened butter. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead 8–10 minutes (or use a stand mixer) until smooth and elastic.

Add the fillings: Knead in the onions, nuts and fruit.

Cover dough, place in a warm place and let rise for 60-90 minutes. The dough should almost double in size.

Once the first rise is complete, roll the dough into a 7" x 10" oval shape. Fold one long side toward the center, then the other over it, creating an off-center seam. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let rise 30–40 minutes until puffy.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35–40 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove from oven. While still warm, brush the stollen generously with melted butter and dust with powdered sugar. Let the stollen cool for at least one hour before serving.