German stollen –There’s something magical about baking during the holiday season, and one of my favorite traditions is making German Stollen. This delightful bread, often filled with dried fruits and nuts, is a true treat that embodies the warmth and spirit of Christmas. The vegan version keeps all the great flavors while ensuring everyone can enjoy it. Here’s how to make this festive loaf at home:
German Stollen (Vegan Christmas Fruit Bread)
First, let’s get inspired by the beauty of this delicious bread:
Ingredients
For this lovely Stollen, you’ll need the following:
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 100g mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, chopped apricots)
- 100g mixed nuts (chopped almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts)
- 200ml almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 100g coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 75g plant-based butter (melted)
- 1 packet of dry yeast (7g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own German Stollen:
- In a small bowl, warm the almond milk slightly and stir in the dry yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, coconut sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well.
- Add the melted plant-based butter, vanilla extract, and the activated yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- Fold in the dried fruits and chopped nuts until evenly distributed.
- Knead the dough for about 5-10 minutes until smooth. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Once risen, gently punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and let the loaf rise for another 30 minutes.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let it cool on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
Enjoy this beautiful German Stollen with family and friends during the festive season, creating memories that will last a lifetime!