Traditional German Stollen
A rich, buttery Christmas bread filled with dried fruits, nuts, and marzipan, dusted with powdered sugar.
30 mins
Prep Time
60 mins
Cook Time
10
Servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup candied citrus peel
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup marzipan
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Nutrition Facts
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Instructions
Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and cardamom. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Knead until smooth.
Add fruits and nuts: Fold in raisins, candied citrus peel, and chopped almonds until evenly distributed in the dough.
First rise: Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Shape the stollen: Roll out the dough into an oval shape. Place the marzipan in the center and fold the dough over, sealing the edges.
Second rise: Place the shaped stollen on a baking sheet, cover, and let it rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the stollen for 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown. Let it cool completely.
Dust with sugar: Once cooled, generously dust the stollen with powdered sugar before serving.
Chef's Tips
- Fruit soaking: For extra flavor, soak the raisins and citrus peel in rum or orange juice overnight.
- Storage: Wrap the stollen tightly in foil and store in a cool place for up to 2 weeks to enhance the flavors.
- Slicing tip: Use a serrated knife to slice the stollen cleanly without crushing the marzipan center.
- Butter brush: For a richer taste, brush the baked stollen with melted butter before dusting with sugar.
- Gifting: Stollen makes a wonderful holiday gift when wrapped in festive paper or placed in a decorative tin.
