Best 7 Traditional Stollen Recipes

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Indulge in the timeless tradition of Christmas with Traditional Stollen, a delectable German fruit bread that captivates the senses with its rich flavors and aromas. This quintessential holiday treat, also known as Christstollen or Weihnachtsstollen, is a symbol of warmth, joy, and togetherness. Originating from the city of Dresden, Stollen has garnered international acclaim for its unique blend of sweet and savory ingredients.

The preparation of Traditional Stollen is an art form passed down through generations, requiring meticulous attention to detail and the finest ingredients. A symphony of flavors awaits in every bite, with a soft, pillowy dough embracing a sumptuous filling of dried fruits, nuts, and candied citrus peel, all enveloped in a delicate dusting of powdered sugar.

This comprehensive guide presents a collection of Traditional Stollen recipes that cater to diverse preferences and skill levels. From the classic Dresden Stollen, renowned for its intricate marzipan filling, to the rustic simplicity of Non-Marzipan Stollen, these recipes encompass the essence of this beloved Christmas delicacy.

For those seeking a gluten-free indulgence, the Gluten-Free Stollen offers a delightful alternative without compromising on taste or texture. And for those with a penchant for culinary exploration, the Vegan Stollen beckons with its plant-based ingredients, delivering a guilt-free yet equally satisfying experience.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these Traditional Stollen recipes guide you through every step of the process, from preparing the dough and filling to shaping and baking the perfect loaf.

As you embark on this culinary journey, immerse yourself in the rich history and traditions surrounding Traditional Stollen. Share the joy of baking and the warmth of this festive treat with loved ones, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

STOLLEN



Stollen image

German stollen is dense bread that is traditionally oblong, like a swaddled baby. In this version, from Martha's mother, the dough is braided, letting icing pool in the loaf's crevices.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes     Bread Recipes

Yield Makes 2 braided loaves

Number Of Ingredients 19

5 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and more if needed
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup whole milk, warmed
5 ounces (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast (from two 1/4-ounce envelopes), dissolved in 1/4 cup warm water
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
7 1/2 ounces golden raisins (1 1/2 cups), soaked in 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
5 ounces dried currants (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons), soaked in 1/4 cup Cognac
5 ounces blanched almonds (1 cup), coarsely chopped
4 ounces diced candied citron (2/3 cup;)
2 ounces diced candied orange peel (1/3 cup)
2 ounces diced dried apricots (1/3 cup)
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Vegetable oil, for bowl
3 cups confectioners' sugar
5 tablespoons whole milk

Steps:

  • Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, salt, mace, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir in milk and melted butter. Add dissolved yeast and the eggs. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth.
  • Drain raisins and currants. Add raisins, currants, almonds, citron, orange peel, apricots, and lemon zest to dough, and continue kneading until incorporated, about 10 minutes. If dough is sticky, knead in more flour.
  • Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 to 2 hours. Punch down dough, divide into 6 even pieces, and roll each piece into a 15-inch-long log. Braid 3 logs together, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 3 logs. Cover with plastic, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 2 hours more.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake stollen until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Beat together confectioners' sugar and milk. Drizzle stollen with icing just before serving.

TRADITIONAL STOLLEN



Traditional Stollen image

Stollen's richness is similar to that of brioche, but dried fruit makes it sweeter and gives it a more interesting texture. Serve this rich holiday treat in thin slices as breakfast bread or with afternoon tea. Like fruitcake, stollen improves with age and can be made up to three weeks in advance.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

Yield Makes 4 large loaves

Number Of Ingredients 20

3 packages active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (100 degrees to 110 degrees)
11 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups milk, warmed
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) plus 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for bowl
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/4 cups currants
1/2 cup Cognac
2 1/2 cups golden raisins
1/2 cup orange juice
Peel of 4 oranges, diced
Grated zest of 2 lemons
1/2 pound citron, diced
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
2 1/2 cups blanched almonds, chopped
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine yeast and 1/2 cup warm water, and let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Stir in milk and 1 1/4 cups melted butter. Add dissolved yeast and eggs. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until fairly smooth.
  • In two separate bowls, soak currants in cognac, and raisins in orange juice. Let each stand for 10 minutes.
  • In a medium-size bowl, mix together currants and raisins with their soaking liquids, the orange peel, lemon zest, citron, apricots, and almonds. Work mixture into dough. Continue kneading for about 10 minutes. If dough is sticky, knead in more flour, but be careful not to overwork.
  • Place dough in a large buttered bowl. Cover bowl with a kitchen towel, and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours.
  • Punch down the dough, and cut in quarters. Roll each piece into a 12-by-8-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter, then fold one long side to the center. Fold other long side over first side, overlapping it by 1 inch. Turn dough over, taper the ends, and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat for remaining 3 loaves, using a second parchment-lined baking sheet for the third and fourth loaves. Cover loaves with plastic wrap; let rise again in a warm place, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees, with two racks centered. Bake stollen until golden brown, about 35 minutes, rotating the sheets between the racks halfway through baking. Cool on wire rack; dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve.

TRADITIONAL STOLLEN



Traditional Stollen image

This recipe came from my grandmother and was originally written in German. It is one of my favorite treat at the holidays.-Jessie Barnes, Atchison, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 55m

Yield 2 loaves.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
2 tablespoons warm water (110° to 115°)
1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
4-3/4 to 5-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup mixed candied fruit
1/2 cup chopped almonds
GLAZE:
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, butter, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, salt and 3 cups flour. Add the raisins, candied fruit and almonds. Add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. , Punch dough down and divide in half; cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll or press each half into a 12x7-in. oval. Fold a long side over to within 1 in. of opposite side; press edge lightly to seal. Place on greased baking sheets; curve ends slightly. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 1 hour. , Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Combine confectioners' sugar and enough milk to achieve desired consistency; spread over stollen.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244 calories, Fat 8g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 35mg cholesterol, Sodium 75mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GERMAN STOLLEN



German Stollen image

A very traditional stollen that I make every Christmas. This stollen is loaded with dried fruit, candied citrus and orange peel, and almonds.

Provided by Marianne

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes

Time 3h

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 cups all-purpose flour
3 ounces compressed fresh yeast
1 pinch white sugar
1 tablespoon lukewarm milk
1 ½ cups milk
1 cup unsalted butter
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
2 egg yolks
½ teaspoon salt
1 ¾ cups chopped blanched almonds
1 ¼ cups raisins
6 tablespoons candied lemon peel
6 tablespoons chopped candied orange peel
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Place flour in a large bowl, make a well in the center, and crumble fresh yeast into it. Sprinkle in sugar and add 1 tablespoon milk. Cover and let rise at a warm place for 15 minutes.
  • Heat 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat until butter is melted.
  • Pour milk-butter mixture over yeast mixture and add 1 cup sugar, egg yolks, and salt. Knead until a soft dough forms. Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix almonds, raisins, candied lemon peel, and candied orange peel together and fold into the dough. Shape dough into a loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rest until the loaf has risen again slightly, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bake in the preheated oven until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush hot stollen immediately with 2 tablespoons melted butter and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 395.5 calories, Carbohydrate 56.8 g, Cholesterol 43.8 mg, Fat 16.1 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 72.5 mg, Sugar 17.7 g

SIMPLE STOLLEN



Simple Stollen image

"When it comes to seasonal sweets, this easy Christmas stollen is a recipe I know I can count on," notes field editor Shirley Glaab of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. "The recipe is made with baking powder instead of yeast, so requires no rising."

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h5m

Yield 1 loaf.

Number Of Ingredients 15

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons cold butter, divided
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup chopped mixed candied fruit
1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 large egg, room temperature
1 large egg yolk, room temperature
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in 6 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, candied fruit, raisins, almonds, extracts, lemon zest, egg and yolk. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead five times. Roll dough into a 10x8-in. oval. Fold a long side over to within 1 in. of opposite side; press edge lightly to seal. Place on a greased baking sheet; curve ends slightly. , Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Melt remaining butter; brush over loaf. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.,

Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Fat 11g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 209mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (20g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

CHRISTMAS STOLLEN



Christmas Stollen image

I got this recipe while I was head baker at London's Dorchester Hotel. It's packed with dried fruit and filled with a marzipan surprise.

Provided by Lee Smith

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     German

Time 3h

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
⅔ cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 large egg
⅓ cup white sugar
½ tablespoon salt
⅓ cup butter, softened
2 ½ cups bread flour
⅓ cup currants
⅓ cup sultana raisins
⅓ cup red candied cherries, quartered
⅔ cup diced candied citron
6 ounces marzipan
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with the egg, white sugar, salt, butter, and 2 cups bread flour; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has begun to pull together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead in the currants, raisins, dried cherries, and citrus peel. Continue kneading until smooth, about 8 minutes.
  • Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
  • Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the marzipan into a rope and place it in the center of the dough. Fold the dough over to cover it; pinch the seams together to seal. Place the loaf, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), and bake for a further 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow loaf to cool on a wire rack. Dust the cooled loaf with confectioners' sugar, and sprinkle with the cinnamon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.6 calories, Carbohydrate 28.8 g, Cholesterol 24.1 mg, Fat 6.8 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 2.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 306.5 mg, Sugar 17.8 g

STOLLEN



Stollen image

Make this classic stollen recipe for a delicious treat.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Breakfast & Brunch Recipes     Bread Recipes

Yield Makes 4

Number Of Ingredients 19

11 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 ounces cake yeast or 3 packages active dry yeast
2 cups milk, warmed
1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted, more for bowl and brushing
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
15 ounces golden raisins, soaked in 1/2 cup orange juice
10 ounces currants, soaked in 1/2 cup cognac
1/4 pound chopped dried apricots
1/2 pound diced candied citron
1/4 pound diced candied orange peel
10 ounces blanched almonds, coarsely chopped
Grated zest of 2 lemons
14 ounces marzipan, quartered
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, for brushing cakes
Superfine sugar, for dusting

Steps:

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, mace, nutmeg, and yeast. Stir in warm milk, 1 1/4 cups melted butter and 1/2 cup warm water. Add eggs and stir to combine. Turn dough out onto a floured surface, and knead until fairly smooth.
  • Add the dried fruits, candied fruits, almonds, and lemon zest to the dough and continue kneading on a floured board for about 10 minutes. If dough is sticky, knead in more flour.
  • Place dough in buttered bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours.
  • Roll each portion of marzipan into a 12-inch log. Punch down dough and cut into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-by-8-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter to coat, place marzipan log in center of dough and fold one long side to the center then fold the other long side over first side, overlapping it by 1 inch.
  • Turn loaves over, taper the ends, and place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover loaves with plastic wrap and let rise again in a warm place, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake stollen until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Brush all over with room temperature butter and sprinkle with superfine sugar to cover. Let cool completely before serving.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your stollen.
  • Proof the yeast properly. This is essential for ensuring that your stollen rises properly.
  • Knead the dough until it is smooth and elastic. This will help to develop the gluten in the dough, which will make your stollen chewy and flavorful.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will give the yeast time to work its magic and produce a light and airy dough.
  • Shape the dough into a log and fill it with your favorite fillings Such as marzipan, dried fruits, or nuts.
  • Bake the stollen in a preheated oven until it is golden brown. The baking time will vary depending on the size of your stollen.
  • Brush the stollen with melted butter and sprinkle it with powdered sugar. This will give it a beautiful glaze and help to keep it moist.

Conclusion:

Stollen is a delicious and festive bread that is perfect for the holiday season. It is a bit of work to make, but it is well worth the effort. With a little planning and preparation, you can make a stollen that will be the star of your holiday table.

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