Description
Celebrate the holiday season with this traditional German Christmas Stollen—a buttery, fruit-filled bread with a sweet marzipan center and a snowy powdered sugar finish. Perfect for festive breakfasts, easy desserts, or as a homemade edible gift. This easy recipe brings the flavors of European Christmas markets right into your kitchen. Whether you’re looking for holiday baking ideas, cozy winter breakfast treats, or classic bread recipes, this is one you’ll come back to every year.
Ingredients
500g all-purpose flour
1 packet (7g) active dry yeast
250ml warm milk
150g unsalted butter, softened
75g granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp grated lemon zest
100g raisins
50g dried currants
100g chopped almonds
150g marzipan (optional)
50ml dark rum
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Melted butter, for brushing
Instructions
1. Soak the raisins and dried currants in dark rum overnight or for at least 4 hours.
2. Warm the milk and mix with yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit until foamy.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, lemon zest, and vanilla. Add eggs and the yeast mixture, then knead in softened butter until smooth.
4. Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
5. Drain the soaked fruits. Gently knead fruits and almonds into the dough until evenly incorporated.
6. Roll the dough into an oval and slightly flatten. If using marzipan, roll it into a log and place in the center, folding the dough over it.
7. Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover and let rise for another 45 minutes.
8. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–40 minutes or until golden brown and fully baked.
9. While still warm, brush generously with melted butter and coat with powdered sugar. Once cooled, dust again for a thick snowy finish.
10. Let rest for 1–2 days wrapped tightly before serving to deepen flavors.
Notes
Let the bread rest 1–2 days after baking to allow flavors to fully develop.
You can swap the raisins and currants with dried cherries or cranberries for a twist.
Brushing with butter and coating in sugar not only adds flavor but preserves the loaf longer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx.)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Christmas bread, holiday dessert, traditional stollen, marzipan bread, fruitcake, easy holiday baking