Description
This Moist German Christmas Stollen is your ultimate homemade holiday bread—rich, buttery, and bursting with rum-soaked dried fruits, candied citrus peel, and crunchy almonds. Topped with a buttery powdered sugar crust, it’s a festive centerpiece for any holiday table. Whether you’re prepping for a quick breakfast, looking for holiday baking ideas, or want to gift an easy recipe that lasts for days, this loaf delivers on flavor, tradition, and beauty. It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for those looking for breakfast ideas, healthy-ish snacks, or comforting dinner ideas paired with a warm drink.
Ingredients
500g all-purpose flour
10g active dry yeast
250ml warm milk
100g unsalted butter (softened)
75g granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp grated lemon zest
150g mixed raisins and currants
75g candied orange or lemon peel
75g chopped almonds (toasted)
60ml dark rum or orange juice (for soaking fruit)
50g melted butter (for brushing)
100g powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
1. Soak raisins, candied peel, and any other dried fruit in rum or orange juice for at least 2 hours or overnight.
2. Warm the milk and mix it with yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Let it sit until foamy, about 5–10 minutes.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, lemon zest, and vanilla. Add yeast mixture, sugar, egg, and softened butter. Knead into a soft, slightly tacky dough.
4. Drain the soaked fruits if needed. Gently fold them into the dough along with the almonds.
5. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1.5–2 hours until doubled in size.
6. Punch down the dough and shape into an oval. Fold it lengthwise and tuck ends slightly under.
7. Let the shaped loaf rise again on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 30–45 minutes.
8. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
9. While still warm, brush with melted butter and dust generously with powdered sugar. Let cool completely, then dust again before serving.
Notes
Don’t skip the fruit soak—it’s essential for the loaf’s flavor and moisture.
The loaf tastes even better after 1–2 days of resting. Store wrapped in parchment and foil.
To add a surprise center, roll a log of marzipan and fold it into the dough before shaping.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Holiday Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (~80g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: stollen, holiday bread, Christmas recipe, easy recipe, breakfast ideas