Heavenly Christmas Stollen Bread

Heavenly Christmas Stollen Bread is a delightful addition to your festive table, embodying the spirit of the holiday season. In my own kitchen, the scent of this traditional German bread baking away is synonymous with Christmas cheer. This delectable loaf, filled with a medley of dried fruits and dusted with powdered sugar, brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia, making it a favorite for family gatherings and celebrations.

Why you’ll love this dish

What sets Christmas Stollen apart from other festive breads is its rich history and incredible flavors. This recipe lets you indulge in a homemade treat that’s bursting with sweet, fruity goodness and a hint of alcohol from the rum, or cozy apple juice if you choose a non-alcoholic route. It’s perfect for sharing during holiday brunches, gifting to friends and neighbors, or simply enjoying with your morning coffee.

"This Stollen was a hit at our holiday dinner! The flavor was rich and festive, and it looked so beautiful on the table." – Sarah, a happy baker

Preparing Heavenly Christmas Stollen Bread for Your Festive Table

Making this bread is a delightful experience. It requires only a few steps to combine and knead the dough, allowing for some patience and love while it rises. Keep in mind that this isn’t just any loaf; it’s a cherished holiday treat that you can easily whip up, even if you’re short on time. Here’s a quick overview of how it comes together.

What you’ll need

To create this scrumptious Stollen, gather the following ingredients:

• 4 cups Bread Flour (All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute)
• 1 cup Sugar (Brown sugar works wonderfully for a deeper flavor)
• 1 teaspoon Salt (Essential for dough structure)
• 2 teaspoons Yeast (Active dry or rapid rise yeast)
• 1/2 cup Butter (Margarine can be a great dairy-free substitute)
• 1 cup Milk (Feel free to use a non-dairy option)
• 1 large Egg (You can omit this or use a flax egg)
• 1/2 cup Rum (Alternatively, use apple juice for a kid-friendly twist)
• 2 cups Mixed Dried Fruit (Think raisins, currants, and cranberries)
• 1 cup Candied Zest (Use store-bought or make your own)
• 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds (Omit for a nut-free version)
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar (Stevia can substitute for a lower calorie option)

Step-by-step instructions

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix well.

2. Melt the butter: In a small saucepan, melt the butter and pour it into the dry mixture.

3. Add liquids: Warm the milk slightly, then mix it with the liquid ingredients: melted butter, rum, and the egg (or flax egg if using). Gradually add this to the dry ingredients.

4. Knead the dough: Mix everything until it forms a rough dough, then knead for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.

5. Incorporate fruits and nuts: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits, candied zest, and sliced almonds, ensuring they are evenly distributed.

6. Let it rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

7. Shape the stollen: Punch down the dough gently, shape it into a loaf, and place it on a lined baking sheet.

8. Final rise: Allow it to rise again for another 30-45 minutes.

9. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), then bake the Stollen for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.

10. Cool and dust: Let it cool completely on a wire rack before dusting with powdered sugar.

Best ways to enjoy it

Heavenly Christmas Stollen can be enjoyed in many ways! Slice it thick and top it with a spread of butter for a rich breakfast. Pair it with a warm cup of spiced tea or hot cocoa for a cozy afternoon treat. You can even serve it as a charming centerpiece at your holiday brunch, paired with fresh fruits and nuts.

Storage and reheating tips

To keep your Stollen fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep it longer, it freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and it can last for up to three months. For best results, let it thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy it again.

Helpful cooking tips

• For best results, let your dough rise in a warm environment. If your kitchen is chilly, try preheating your oven for just a minute, turning it off, and placing the dough inside.
• If you’re using active dry yeast, make sure to proof it by dissolving it in warm milk before adding to the flour mixture.
• Don’t hesitate to get creative! Use any dried fruits you have on hand, like apricots or figs, or swap out the rum for orange juice for a completely different flavor experience.

Creative twists

There’s room to play with this Stollen recipe! Consider adding different spices like nutmeg or cardamom for an aromatic boost. You can also experiment with fillings, like marzipan in the center for a delightful surprise. For a festive touch, drizzle with a simple glaze made of powdered sugar and milk.

Common questions

What’s the prep time for this Stollen?

This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, but you’ll need some additional time for the rising stages—about 2 hours total.

Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?

Fresh fruit is not ideal for this recipe as it contains too much moisture and could affect the texture of the dough. Stick with dried fruits for the best results.

How can I make it vegan?

You can easily make this bread vegan by substituting the butter with margarine, the milk with a non-dairy alternative, and the egg with a flax egg mixture. Use fine quality ingredients for the best flavor!

Christmas Stollen Bread

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A delightful traditional German bread filled with dried fruits and dusted with powdered sugar, perfect for holiday celebrations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Brunch, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: German, Holiday

Calories: 200

Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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For the dough

• 4 cups Bread Flour All-purpose flour can be used as a substitute.
• 1 cup Sugar Brown sugar works wonderfully for a deeper flavor.
• 1 teaspoon Salt Essential for dough structure.
• 2 teaspoons Yeast Active dry or rapid rise yeast.
• 1/2 cup Butter Margarine can be a great dairy-free substitute.
• 1 cup Milk Feel free to use a non-dairy option.
• 1 large Egg You can omit this or use a flax egg.
• 1/2 cup Rum Alternatively, use apple juice for a kid-friendly twist.

For the filling

• 2 cups Mixed Dried Fruit Think raisins, currants, and cranberries.
• 1 cup Candied Zest Use store-bought or make your own.
• 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds Omit for a nut-free version.

For topping

• 1 cup Powdered Sugar Stevia can substitute for a lower calorie option.

Method

 

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Mix well.
2. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and pour it into the dry mixture.
3. Warm the milk slightly, then mix it with the melted butter, rum, and the egg (or flax egg if using). Gradually add this to the dry ingredients.
4. Mix everything until it forms a rough dough, then knead for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
5. Gently fold in the mixed dried fruits, candied zest, and sliced almonds, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
6. Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

Baking

1. Punch down the dough gently, shape it into a loaf, and place it on a lined baking sheet.
2. Allow it to rise again for another 30-45 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), then bake the Stollen for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
4. Let it cool completely on a wire rack before dusting with powdered sugar.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10g

Notes

For best results, let your dough rise in a warm environment. If using active dry yeast, proof it in warm milk before adding to the flour mixture. Get creative by using different dried fruits or adding spices like nutmeg or cardamom.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!