Weckmann

Ingredients:

• Milk, 1 cup

• Butter, 1/3 cup

• Shortening, 3 tbs

• Sugar, 1 cup

• Vanilla extract, 3 tbs

• Grated lemon zest, from 1 lemon

• Yeast, 2 envelope

• Warm water, 3 tbs

• Eggs, 4

• Flour, 6 2/3 cups

• Egg yolk beaten with 2 tbs milk (for glazing)

• Raisins (to make the faces)
  

Preparation:

Mix yeast with warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Combine milk, butter, shortening, and sugar, in a saucepan and heat gently then set aside to cool.

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.

Add milk mixture to flour and mix all the ingredients together. Knead into a ball, dust with flour and let rise for 2 hours.

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 one.

Let rise for a further 20 to 45 minutes.

Brush with egg and milk mixture, decorate with raisins for the eyes.

Bake in a previously pre heated oven  at 200°C for 10-15 minutes.