Weckmann

St. Martin's Day "Weckmann"

This is a popular treat for ST. Matin's Day (November 11th). The Weckmann is a sweet bread roll shaped like a gingerman with a white clay pipe. This is a fun event for children. You usually walk through a town and then meet where they have a huge bombfire and give out the Weckmann to the children. This is the recipe for the sweet roll


Ingredients
1 cup milk
1/3 cup sweet butter
3 tablespoon (1/6 cup) shortening
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons real vanilla extract
1 grated lemon peel
1 bag rapid yeast (1/4 ounce)
3 tablespoon warm water
4 whole eggs
6 2/3 cups flour
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water for glazing

Makes 10 Weckmänner

Directions

1) Mix yeast with warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar

2) Combine milk, butter, shortening, and sugar, in a saucepan and heat gently then set aside to cool

3) Place flour in a large bowl, make a well in the middle of the flour and pour yeast mixture into the well, cover and let rise for 20 minutes

4) Add milk mixture to flour and mix all the ingredients together. Knead into a ball, dust with flour and let rise for 45 minutes

5) Roll dough and divide into 10 pieces to form into gingerbread men shaped Weckmänner. Place the Weckmänner on a large baking sheet covered with baking or wax paper, making sure to leave enough room between each shape. Let rise for a further 20-45 minutes.

6) Brush with egg and water mixture, decorate with raisins and dried cranberries for the eyes and buttons*

7) Bake at 325-350 Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes

*A traditional Weckmann in Germany would have a clay pipe in his mouth.