Magical Holiday Stollen Recipe: Simplest Christmas Treat Ever

German Christmas stollen swirls with festive memories that dance through winter kitchens like delicate snowflakes.

Generations have cherished this traditional sweet bread, passing down recipes rich with candied fruits and warm spices.

Fragrant almonds and citrus zest mingle in a dough that speaks of holiday comfort and cheer.

Each slice tells a story of celebration, connecting you to centuries of baking traditions.

The soft, pillowy texture melts in your mouth, promising pure wintertime bliss.

Dusted with powdered sugar and bursting with flavor, this stollen transforms an ordinary afternoon into a magical moment.

Let’s find out this cherished recipe and let the holiday spirit fill your home with warmth and joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 3

Ingredients for Christmas Stollen

• Unbleached All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the stollen, choose high-quality flour for best results.
• Ricotta Cheese: Adds moisture and richness, select fresh and creamy ricotta for a smooth consistency.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with caramelization, opt for fine-grain sugar.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light and fluffy texture, check freshness for optimal rising.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet undertones, use pure vanilla for deeper flavor.
• Lemon Zest: Brings bright, citrusy notes, choose organic lemons for intense aroma.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, use room temperature egg for better incorporation.

• Cold Butter: Creates flaky layers, keep butter very cold for best pastry texture.
• Slivered Almonds: Provides crunch and nutty flavor, toast almonds for enhanced taste.
• Mixed Dried Fruit: Adds sweetness and texture, combine variety like golden raisins, cherries, and cranberries.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Creates beautiful dusting, sift for even coverage.
• Melted Butter: Adds final richness and helps sugar adhere, use unsalted butter for control.

Tools for Baking a Christmas Stollen at Home

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for evenly mixing flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
• Pastry blender or two knives: Great for cutting cold butter into dry ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for precise ingredient quantities.
• Baking sheet: Needed for baking the stollen evenly.
• Parchment paper or cooking spray: Prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Rolling pin: Helps shape the dough into perfect ovals.
• Toothpick: Useful for checking if stollen is fully baked.
• Pastry brush: Ideal for applying melted butter and sugar coating.

How to Make a Classic Christmas Stollen

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen by setting the oven to a cozy 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a fluffy foundation for your festive treat.

• Butter Integration

Gently break cold butter into tiny pieces and work it into the dry ingredients until the mixture looks like soft, crumbly sand.

• Wet Mixture Creation

Whisk together soft cheese, egg, vanilla, and bright citrus zest in a separate bowl, creating a creamy base that will bring moisture to your bread.

• Dough Formation

Carefully combine wet and dry ingredients, folding in colorful dried fruits and crunchy nuts until just mixed. The goal is a soft, slightly sticky dough that promises delicious texture.

• Shaping Magic

Dust your countertop with flour and gently shape the dough into two elegant oval loaves, each with a gentle fold that gives the traditional stollen its classic look.

• Baking Transformation

Place the shaped loaves on the prepared baking sheet and slide into the warm oven. Bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, about 40 minutes.

• Finishing Touches

Once cooled, shower the bread with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar. Wrap carefully to preserve the soft, fruity goodness and enjoy over the next two weeks.

Tips for Festive Stollen Success

• Experiment with different dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, or golden raisins to create your unique holiday flavor profile. Mix and match combinations for a personalized touch that reflects your family's taste preferences.
• Prepare the stollen dough a day before baking and refrigerate overnight. This technique allows flavors to develop more deeply and makes holiday morning preparation a breeze.
• Replace almonds with pecans, walnuts, or pistachios for a delightful texture variation. Toast the nuts lightly before adding to enhance their rich, warm flavor and provide an extra crunch.
• Enhance the traditional recipe by adding a splash of rum or brandy to the fruit mixture. This secret ingredient will give your stollen a sophisticated depth and a subtle festive kick that guests will love.
• Wrap the cooled stollen tightly in parchment paper and then in plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks, allowing the flavors to mellow and become even more delicious as days pass.

Serving Christmas Stollen with Joy

• Festive Holiday Plate Presentation: Dust your stollen with an extra layer of powdered sugar to create a snow-like effect, making it look like a winter wonderland treat perfect for Christmas gatherings.
• Cozy Breakfast Companion: Slice the stollen into thin pieces and serve alongside hot coffee or tea, creating a delightful morning experience that warms both heart and palate during chilly winter mornings.
• Gifting Delightful Package: Wrap individual stollen slices in decorative parchment paper, tie with a festive ribbon, and create charming homemade gifts that spread joy and delicious holiday cheer to friends and family.
• Dessert Elegance Twist: Cut stollen into small cubes and serve as part of a holiday dessert platter, complementing other sweet treats like chocolate truffles or gingerbread cookies for a stunning seasonal spread.

Storage Advice for Christmas Stollen Leftovers

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Keep your freshly baked stollen wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature, ensuring it stays moist and delicious for up to two weeks without losing its delightful texture.
• Freezing for Future Enjoyment: Slice the stollen into individual portions before freezing, allowing you to thaw exactly what you need. Wrap each slice in aluminum foil, then place in a freezer-safe container to maintain quality for up to three months.
• Moisture Magic Tip: Place a small piece of bread or apple slice in the storage container to help retain softness and prevent the stollen from drying out during storage.
• Room Temperature Revival: When ready to serve, bring frozen or refrigerated stollen to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Gently warm in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to refresh its just-baked flavor and soft texture.

Festive Christmas Stollen

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4.9 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Festive German Christmas stollen brings holiday cheer with rich dried fruit and marzipan center. Bakers can share this traditional sweet bread that delights guests during seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 2 ¼ cups (540 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (115 g) cold butter
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅓ cup (40 g) slivered almonds (toasted and cooled)
• ⅓ cup (50 g) mixed dried fruit (golden raisins, cherries, cranberries)
• ¼ cup (30 g) confectioners’ sugar (for topping)
• 6 tbsps (85 g) butter (melted, for topping)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 325°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or light grease.
2. Dry Mixture: Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, creating a uniform dry base for the stollen.
3. Butter Integration: Cut cold butter into tiny cubes and blend into dry ingredients until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Wet Component Blending: Whisk cottage cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest into a smooth, cohesive liquid mixture.
5. Fruit Preparation: Lightly coat dried fruits and almonds with flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold into the dry ingredient mixture.
6. Dough Formation: Add wet ingredients to dry components, stirring until a soft dough emerges, being careful not to overmix.
7. Dough Shaping: Transfer dough to a floured surface, kneading minimally to maintain delicate texture. Divide into two equal portions.
8. Loaf Crafting: Roll each portion into an oval shape, approximately 8 inches long and 7 inches wide, maintaining a half-inch thickness.
9. Traditional Folding: Create the classic stollen shape by folding each oval lengthwise, leaving a small unsealed border and pressing down one inch from the sealed edge.
10. Baking Process: Position shaped loaves on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch, and bake for 35-40 minutes until edges turn golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
11. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and let rest briefly. Brush warm stollen generously with melted butter, then dust thoroughly with powdered sugar.
12. Storage and Serving: Cool completely, apply a second butter coating and sugar dusting if desired. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Notes

• Prevent Fruit Sinking: Dust dried fruits and almonds with flour to keep them evenly distributed throughout the dough.
• Gentle Kneading Technique: Softly bring the dough together without overworking to maintain a tender texture.
• Precise Shaping Matters: Create the classic stollen fold by leaving a small border unsealed and pressing down one inch from the sealed edge.
• Storage Secret: Wrap completely cooled stollen in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to two weeks, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg