Soak the apricots in hot water for about 30 minutes. For the dough put flour in a bowl. Press a depression in the middle. Crumble yeast into it and add some milk. Mix with some flour and let it rise covered for about 15 minutes.
Add the remaining milk, sugar, fat, egg and salt and knead to a smooth dough. Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for 20-30 minutes. In the meantime, chop the soaked apricots finely and mix with the marzipan paste and the apricot brandy.
Knead the dough again and divide it into three equal parts. Roll out a 20x40 cm rectangle from each piece. Spread the apricot mixture on the dough and roll up the individual pieces of dough lengthwise.
Make a braid from the rolls. Press the ends firmly together and fold them down so that the braid keeps its shape when baked. Mix the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water and brush the plait with it.
Sprinkle with sugar crystals and let it rise again. Bake in a preheated oven (electric: 175 °C/ gas: level 2) for about 1 hour until light brown. The
Results in about 30 slices.