Christmas Stollen(3 Loaves)
Festive and fragrant, Christmas Stollen is a traditional bread filled with dried raisins soaked in rum, flavored with lemon and nutmeg, perfect for holiday celebrations and gifting.
Ingredients
- 3 pkg. active dry yeast ⓘ
- 1/2 cup warm water ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups milk, scalded and cooled to lukewarm ⓘ
- 8 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1/2 pound sweet butter, softened ⓘ
- 1 cup granulated sugar ⓘ
- 4 eggs ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- Grated rind of 1 lemon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon vanilla ⓘ
- 3 cups white raisins ⓘ
- 3 cups dark raisins ⓘ
- 1/2 cup rum ⓘ
- 2 cups sweet butter, melted
- 1 cup cinnamon sugar ⓘ
Instructions
- Soak raisins in rum for 3 days, stirring once each day.
- In a small bowl, place yeast and warm water, then stir until yeast dissolves.
- Add warm milk and 1 cup flour to the yeast mixture, mixing well. Cover and let rise in a warm area until light and bubbly.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in salt, lemon rind, and yeast mixture.
- Stir in ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and flour gradually, about 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
- Turn dough out onto a floured board and knead until smooth, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add drained, rum-soaked raisins to the dough and knead until evenly distributed.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, turn to coat all sides with grease, then cover with a towel.
- Allow the dough to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
When making Christmas Stollen, ensure your yeast is fresh for optimal rising. If you prefer not to use rum, orange juice or apple juice can be substituted for soaking the raisins. For added flavor, consider incorporating spices like cinnamon or cardamom. For a more moist texture, you can add a bit of applesauce to the dough. Remember to knead the dough thoroughly for the best structure.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of Christmas Stollen dusted with powdered sugar alongside a warm cup of Cafe Con Leche for a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat. It also pairs beautifully with a variety of cheeses or can be enjoyed with a spread of butter. For a festive touch, consider serving it with a side of Pink Peppermint Frosting for a sweet contrast.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftover Stollen, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the wrapped Stollen for up to three months. To reheat, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in an oven at low temperature for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Christmas Stollen(3 Loaves) contains roughly 2736 calories, with 48g protein, 543g carbohydrates, and 38g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (140% of the Daily Value), calcium (103% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (102% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin D. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 make this recipe vegan?
Yes, you can substitute eggs with flaxseed meal or applesauce, and use plant-based butter and milk alternatives. This will give you a vegan version of Stollen without compromising taste or texture.
How long does the dough need to rise?
The dough should rise in a warm spot until it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Make sure it’s covered with a towel to retain moisture during the rising process.
Can I add other fruits or nuts?
Absolutely! You can customize your Stollen by adding chopped dried apricots, figs, or a mix of nuts like almonds or walnuts for added texture and flavor. Just be sure to adjust the liquid ingredients slightly if needed.
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).