German Weckmänner (Stutenkerl)
These baked Weckmänner, or "bun men" are made of brioche-like dough. Beloved in Germany, these sweetbread treats are made for St. Martin's Day to commemorate the death and burial of the 4th century St. Martin of Tours. Traditionally, the Weckmänner hold a clay pipe or lollipop, and are served with a red ribbon tied in a bow beneath their chins.
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1 ⅓ cups whole milk
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 teaspoons active dry yeast
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2 large eggs, divided
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1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
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1 ½ teaspoon Ann Clark Clear Vanilla Extract
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5 cups (20 ounces) all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon sea salt
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¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
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1 tablespoon water
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72 pieces Ann Clark Authentic Belgian Pearl Sugar
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48 each dried raisins or dried cranberries
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24 pieces slivered almonds
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24 clay pipes
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24 6-inch decorative ribbon
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Large Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter
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Stand mixer with dough hook attachment
Equipment Needed
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1
Heat milk and sugar until just simmering. Set aside and cool until 105°F.
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2
Add yeast to the milk mixture and let stand, until small bubbles form on the surface, for 5 minutes.
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3
Combine yeast mixture, 1 egg, lemon zest, vanilla, flour, salt and cardamom in a large mixing bowl or bowl of stand mixer with dough hook attachment; mix on medium, until a sticky dough forms, 8 to 10 minutes.
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4
Add butter to the dough; mix until dough is pulling away from the sides, about 8 minutes.
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5
Transfer dough to an oiled bowl, covered, until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
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6
Meanwhile, preheat oven 375°F. Line 3 large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment.
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7
Roll dough on a floured surface, until 1/8 inch thick. Using Ann Clark Large Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter, cut out and place on the prepared sheets (8 per sheet). Reroll the scraps up to 2 times, allowing the dough to relax for a few minutes in-between rolls.
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8
Whisk the remaining 1 egg and water in a small bowl. Brush the cutouts on the baking sheet with egg wash.
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9
Press 3 pieces of Ann Clark Authentic Belgian Pearl Sugar for buttons; 2 raisins (cranberries) for eyes and 1 almond for the mouth. Tuck 1 pipe under the left arm and fold the hand over to hold it, pressing firmly.
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10
Bake in preheated oven, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes, baking 1 tray at a time.
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11
Remove from the oven and let cool on the tray for about 10 minutes, then wrap the ribbon around the neck.
Recipe Video
Notes & Tips:
- To make ahead: Dough can be made to step 5. Then wrap tightly and place in the refrigerator overnight.
- You can pipe the pipes with royal icing onto the bun men once they've cooled if you do not have clay pipes.
- This dough works fine without adding the egg. You can substitute milk for brushing the tops instead of egg.
Photos by Laura Kanya