Description
Stollen is a traditional German fruit bread made with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, often enjoyed during the holiday season. It’s rich, slightly sweet, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
- 3/4 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped candied orange peel, etc.)
- 1/4 cup rum (for soaking dried fruits)
- 1/2 cup marzipan
- 2 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Soak the mixed dried fruits in rum for several hours or overnight.
- In a large bowl, combine warm milk, a teaspoon of sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
- Add in the flour, remaining sugar, softened butter, eggs, salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, nutmeg, and cardamom. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Drain the soaked fruits and fold them along with the chopped almonds into the dough.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and roll it into an oval shape about 1/2 inch thick.
- Roll the marzipan into a log and place it in the center of the dough. Fold the dough over to encase the marzipan and shape into a loaf.
- Place the loaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise again for about 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the stollen for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter, then generously dust with powdered sugar.
- Let cool completely before slicing and serving. Flavor improves after resting for a day or two.
Notes
- You can use a mix of raisins, currants, candied orange or lemon peel, and chopped dried cherries or cranberries.
- Store wrapped in foil or airtight container; improves in flavor over a few days.
- Freezes well for up to a month.
- Marzipan is optional but traditional and adds a delicious almond center.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of loaf)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
