German Stollen
German Stollen is a festive fruit bread filled with raisins, candied fruit, and orange peel, offering warm spices and a rich, tender crumb, perfect for holiday sharing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In large mixer bowl, combine yeast, 2 cups of flour, and ground cardamom.
- Heat milk, butter or margarine, sugar, and salt until warm, stirring occasionally to melt butter.
- Add the warm milk mixture to the dry mixture in the bowl; then add the beaten egg.
- Beat at low speed with an electric mixer for 1 minute, scraping sides of the bowl.
- Beat at high speed for 3 minutes.
- By hand, stir in seedless raisins, mixed candied fruit, and grated orange peel.
- Stir in enough flour to make a soft, manageable dough.
- Turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
- Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Place in a greased bowl, turning to coat the top. Cover and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 3/4 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using whole milk instead of low-fat. If you don't have ground cardamom, you can substitute with ground cinnamon or nutmeg. To enhance the fruitiness, you can soak the raisins in rum or orange juice before adding them. Remember to knead the dough well for perfect texture. If you prefer a sweeter stollen, increase the sugar slightly.
Serving Suggestions
Slice the stollen and serve it dusted with powdered sugar for a festive touch. It pairs beautifully with a cup of spiced tea or coffee. For a delightful breakfast or brunch, serve alongside butter and a selection of jams. You can also enjoy it with a side of Sauteed Dandelion Flowers for a unique contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, wrap the stollen tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze it wrapped in foil or freezer-safe bags for up to three months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in a low oven for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of German Stollen contains roughly 886 calories, with 13g protein, 126g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (91% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (33% of the Daily Value), and calcium (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2116mg per serving (92% 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 stollen ahead of time?
Yes, stollen can be made a few days in advance. In fact, it often tastes better after a day or two as the flavors meld together. Just wrap it well once cooled and store it at room temperature. For best flavor, consume within a week.
What can I substitute for mixed candied fruit?
If you don't have mixed candied fruit, you can use chopped dried fruits like apricots, figs, or cherries. Alternatively, you could use more raisins or a combination of other dried fruits to achieve a similar texture and sweetness.
How do I know when the dough has risen enough?
The dough is ready when it has doubled in size, which typically takes about 1 3/4 hours in a warm place. You can check by lightly pressing your finger into the dough; if the indentation remains, it's ready to be shaped and baked.
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).