Moist German Christmas Stollen

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A classic centerpiece of holiday baking, Moist German Christmas Stollen is rich with tradition and irresistible flavor. This festive bread is brimming with dried fruits, crunchy almonds, and citrus zest, all wrapped in a soft, yeasted dough and dusted with a generous coating of powdered sugar. It’s a delightful blend of texture and taste that perfectly captures the warmth of the season.

Unlike other dense fruit breads, this version of Stollen is moist and tender thanks to its buttery dough and the right balance of ingredients. Whether you’re serving it at your holiday brunch, gifting it wrapped in parchment and twine, or simply enjoying a slice with your morning coffee, Stollen brings old-world charm to your modern Christmas table.

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Why You’ll Love This Moist German Christmas Stollen

• It’s packed with festive flavor from dried fruits, almonds, and citrus
• The texture is moist, fluffy, and far from dry or crumbly
• Perfect for gifting, hosting, or enjoying as a cozy holiday treat
• Stays delicious for days and tastes even better as the flavors meld

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What Kind of Fruit Should I Use in Stollen?

The beauty of Stollen lies in its flexibility. Traditional recipes call for a mix of dried fruits like raisins, currants, and chopped candied orange or lemon peel. But you can personalize it with golden raisins, chopped apricots, or even dried cranberries. Just avoid overly moist fruits that could weigh down the dough. Soak the fruit in rum or orange juice for extra flavor before mixing into the dough.

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Ingredients for the Moist German Christmas Stollen

Each ingredient plays a specific role in this festive bread:

• All-purpose flour – The foundation of the dough, giving it structure.
• Instant yeast – Helps the dough rise and stay airy.
• Granulated sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the tart fruits.
• Warm milk – Activates the yeast and moistens the dough.
• Butter – Adds richness and moisture, creating a soft crumb.
• Salt – Enhances all the other flavors.
• Eggs – Provide structure and richness.
• Raisins and dried cherries – Bring chewiness and fruity flavor.
• Candied orange and lemon peel – Add citrusy brightness.
• Chopped almonds – Give a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
• Almond extract and vanilla extract – Enhance the overall aroma.
• Powdered sugar – Creates the iconic snowy finish on top.

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How To Make the Moist German Christmas Stollen

Step 1: Prepare the Fruit Mix

Combine raisins, dried cherries, and candied citrus peels in a bowl. Add a few tablespoons of rum or orange juice and let them soak for at least an hour, or overnight for deeper flavor.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Warm the milk and butter together until the butter melts, then let it cool slightly. Beat in eggs, almond extract, and vanilla. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 3: Knead and Let Rise

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 8 minutes. Place it in an oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in size.

Step 4: Add Fruit and Shape

Drain any excess liquid from the soaked fruit. Gently fold the fruit and almonds into the dough. Divide into loaves and shape each into an oval, folding one side slightly over the other for a traditional Stollen look.

Step 5: Final Rise and Bake

Place loaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely, and let rise for 30-45 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes until golden and baked through.

Step 6: Finish with Sugar

While warm, brush the tops with melted butter and sift powdered sugar generously over each loaf. Repeat after cooling for a thick snowy finish.

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Serving and Storing Your Moist German Christmas Stollen

This recipe makes two medium-sized loaves and can feed 10-12 people per loaf, depending on slice size.

Stollen is best served slightly warm or at room temperature. After baking, let it cool completely before slicing. For storage, wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the loaves (without powdered sugar) and add the final dusting after thawing.

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What to Serve With Stollen?

Mulled Wine

The warm spices in mulled wine complement the fruity, nutty flavors of Stollen beautifully.

Coffee or Espresso

A strong cup of coffee balances the sweetness and enhances the almond and citrus notes.

Hot Chocolate

Perfect for a cozy winter pairing, especially with kids in the family.

Whipped Mascarpone or Cream Cheese

Add a spread of lightly sweetened mascarpone for an extra indulgent treat.

Fruit Preserves

Apricot or cherry preserves make a lovely companion to a slice of Stollen.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this Stollen ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, Stollen improves over time as the flavors develop. Bake it 1-2 days ahead, wrap tightly, and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

2. Can I substitute the dried fruits?
Absolutely. Use what you have on hand: dried apricots, golden raisins, figs, or cranberries all work well.

3. How do I keep the bread moist?
Don’t overbake it. Be sure to brush with butter immediately after baking and wrap tightly to retain moisture.

4. Do I need a special pan?
No special pan is required. A regular baking sheet with parchment paper works perfectly.

5. What other holiday recipes pair well with this?
Pair it with our Gingerbread Loaf Cake or Spiced Eggnog Custard for a stunning holiday dessert board.

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