Christmas stollen –The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by baking a traditional Christmas Stollen? This delightful German bread is a cherished holiday treat filled with rich flavors and festive ingredients. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get into the holiday spirit, let’s dive into this wonderful recipe!
Christmas Stollen
This beautiful loaf not only looks stunning but also offers a feast of flavors that symbolize the joy of the holiday season.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 1 package active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups mixed dried fruits (such as raisins, currants, and candied citrus peel)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warmed milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together. Create a well in the center.
- Add the softened butter, eggs, and activated yeast mixture into the well. Stir until the dough starts to come together.
- On a floured surface, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Return the dough to the bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Once risen, punch down the dough and mix in the dried fruits, nuts, and zest.
- Shape the dough into a loaf. Place it on a greased baking sheet and let it rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the Stollen for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow it to cool before dusting generously with powdered sugar.
Serve this lovely Stollen sliced with a warm cup of holiday tea or coffee. It also makes an excellent gift when wrapped up beautifully. Enjoy the unique blend of spices and the delicious combination of fruits and nuts that make this bread a festive favorite!