On the day before baking sift the flour into a bowl and keep warm.

On baking day make a depression in the middle of the flour. Whisk the yeast with 1 Tbsp sugar in the warm milk, and pour into the depression and stir with a little of the flour mix forming a thick paste. Cover with flour and let rise.

Stir the softened butter, and spread on the dough; do the same with the sugar and all the spices. Work all the ingredients through the risen dough very carefully and let rise 30-60 minutes, not letting it get too warm.

Stollen can be made in different shapes, for example 'cut' and 'open.' For a cut Stollen make a long loaf and, with a sharp knife, cut lengthwise down the middle 1/2 inch deep. For an open stollen, also form a loaf, but then press a long, wide groove into the loaf using either a rolling pin or the edge of the hand pushing slightly to the side as you go along. Push the narrow side up.

Allow the shaped stollen to rise once more for only a short time (about 15 minutes) and bake at medium heat for at least 60 minutes.

When the stollen comes out of the oven, brush it immediately with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar. To create a thick sugar crust, do this repeatedly.

Wrap the cooled stollen in white paper or cloth, and refrigerate. It should rest for at least 1 week before being cut.