Christmas Stollen
A rich, fruit-filled holiday bread with marzipan, almonds, and candied cherries, perfect for festive gatherings and gifting, offering warm spices and sweet, nutty flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in warm water; add sugar, salt, eggs, butter, and half of the flour.
- Beat for 10 minutes at medium speed on mixer or by hand.
- Blend in the rest of the flour, chopped almonds, citron, candied cherries, and raisins.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Stir down batter by beating 25 strokes.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
- On a well-floured board, divide dough in half and press each into a 10 x 7-inch oval sheet.
- Spread each with 2 tablespoons of soft butter or margarine.
- Fold each in two lengthwise, pressing edges in place, onto a greased baking sheet.
- Brush the top with slightly beaten egg whites mixed with 1 tablespoon water.
- Let rise in a warm place until light.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes or until done.
- Allow to cool, then frost and decorate with almonds and cherries.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a tablespoon of orange zest to the dough. If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought marzipan instead of chopped almonds. To enhance the sweetness, a sprinkle of powdered sugar over the cooled stollen works beautifully. Make sure to knead the dough well to develop a soft texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of stollen with a dusting of powdered sugar alongside a warm cup of spiced tea or coffee. It pairs beautifully with Fresh Strawberry Soup for a refreshing contrast. For a festive touch, consider serving it with a side of whipped cream or a light fruit compote to enhance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover stollen in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to three months. To reheat, simply place slices in a toaster or oven at a low temperature until warm. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the bread tough.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Stollen contains roughly 747 calories, with 22g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (45% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (44% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (41% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2854mg per serving (124% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different dried fruits in this recipe?
Additionally, you can mix in some chopped dried figs or dates for a different flavor profile.
Is there a gluten-free option for this stollen?
Experimenting with different gluten-free flours can yield varying results, so choose one that suits your preference.
How can I make my stollen last longer?
For longer storage, freezing is your best option, just remember to slice it before freezing for easy serving later.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).