Stollen(German Christmas Bread)
A rich, festive German Christmas bread with dried fruits, nuts, and a sweet icing, perfect for holiday celebrations and sharing with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons shortening ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sugar ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind ⓘ
- 1 package yeast ⓘ
- 1/4 cup warm water ⓘ
- 2 3/4 cups flour ⓘ
- 1 egg, beaten ⓘ
- 1/4 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1/2 cup fruitcake mix ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons melted butter ⓘ
- confectioners sugar icing
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Scald the milk; stir in shortening, sugar, salt, and lemon rind. Cool to lukewarm.
- Dissolve yeast in warm water.
- Add the milk mixture, beaten egg, and 1 cup of flour to the yeast mixture.
- Beat thoroughly until smooth.
- Add raisins and fruitcake mix; stir in enough flour to make a soft dough.
- Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a greased bowl and turn to coat the top with grease.
- Cover and let rise until double in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Punch down the dough, turn out onto a floured board.
- Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll into an oval about 3/4 inch thick.
- Brush half of the oval with melted butter and fold over.
- Place on a greased cookie sheet.
- Cover and let rise until double in size, about 45 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes.
- Spread icing lightly over the bread and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider incorporating spices like cinnamon or nutmeg into the dough. If you don't have shortening, you can substitute with equal parts butter or margarine. Ensure the milk is scalded properly to activate the yeast effectively. For a festive touch, try adding candied citrus peels along with the fruitcake mix. To achieve a beautifully golden crust, brush the loaf with an egg wash before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Stollen sliced, dusted with confectioners sugar icing, and accompanied by a cup of hot tea or coffee. It pairs beautifully with Cheese Covered Dates for a delightful contrast of flavors. Consider adding a side of fresh fruit or a light cheese platter to enhance the festive experience during holiday gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Stollen wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days. For extended freshness, freeze the bread by wrapping it tightly in foil and placing it in a zip-top freezer bag. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Stollen(German Christmas Bread) contains roughly 508 calories, with 8g protein, 74g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is a good source of protein (16% of the Daily Value), potassium (15% of the Daily Value), and iron (13% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 802mg per serving (35% 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 a different type of fruit mix in the Stollen?
Absolutely! While traditional Stollen uses fruitcake mix, you can customize it with your favorite dried fruits, such as apricots, cranberries, or cherries. Just ensure to keep the total quantity similar to maintain the dough's consistency.
What should I do if my dough doesn't rise?
If your dough doesn't rise, it could be due to inactive yeast. Check the expiration date on your yeast package. Additionally, ensure that the milk was allowed to cool to lukewarm before adding it to the yeast, as hot liquids can kill the yeast. If necessary, try again with fresh yeast.
How can I make Stollen ahead of time?
You can prepare the Stollen dough a day in advance. After kneading, let it rise as instructed, then shape it and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature and rise again before baking. This method enhances the flavors and makes it convenient for holiday baking.
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).