Whole Grain Christmas Stollen - Red Star® Yeast

Ingredients

• 6 cups white whole wheat flour (see note)
• 1 tablespoon Platinum Yeast
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
• 2 cups lukewarm water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1/2 cup honey
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup brandy (orange juice or black tea can be substituted)
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped dried and/or candied fruit (Choose your favorites. I used cherries, raisins, craisins, and apricots.)
• 1 1/2 pounds (681g) whole wheat dough
• 1/2 cup almond paste
• Egg wash: 1 egg plus 1 tablespoon water (beaten together)
• Confectioners' sugar for the topping