Festive Dutch Christmas Stollen Recipe: A Sweet Holiday Bread Treat

Festive bakers around the world cherish the rich, aromatic dutch christmas stollen as a holiday treasure.

This traditional German bread weaves together sweet and savory flavors in a delightful symphony.

Candied fruits, nuts, and warm spices dance through the soft, buttery dough.

Each slice tells a story of centuries-old baking traditions passed down through generations.

The powdered sugar coating adds a delicate winter wonderland touch to this beloved treat.

Baking this stollen will fill your kitchen with irresistible warmth and holiday cheer.

Prepare to experience a slice of culinary magic that will become your new seasonal tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients For Dutch Christmas Stollen

• Raisins: Plump, sweet dried grapes that add delightful texture and natural sweetness to the stollen.
• Dried Cranberries: Tangy berries that provide a bright burst of flavor and vibrant color contrast.
• Almonds: Crunchy nutty element that delivers rich, earthy undertones and delightful texture.
• Candied Orange Peel: Zesty citrus pieces that infuse a sophisticated, aromatic dimension to the bread.

• Flour: The fundamental structure of the stollen, creating a soft, tender crumb.
• Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps with golden browning of the bread.
• Yeast: Essential rising agent that creates the bread's light, airy texture.
• Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens gluten development.
• Cinnamon: Warm, comforting spice that adds classic holiday warmth.
• Cardamom: Exotic, slightly sweet spice that brings complexity to the flavor profile.

• Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and creates a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Milk: Provides softness and helps activate yeast.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to a tender crumb.
• Almond Paste: Delivers a rich, nutty center that makes the stollen extra indulgent.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a festive, snow-like coating that signals holiday celebration.

Equipment Needed For Dutch Christmas Stollen

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients and kneading dough thoroughly.
• Stand Mixer (optional): Helpful for kneading dough quickly and efficiently with a dough hook attachment.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise for accurately measuring ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices.
• Baking Sheet: Lined with parchment paper for baking the stollen perfectly.
• Kitchen Towel or Damp Cloth: Used to cover dough during rising periods.
• Rolling Pin: Needed to roll out dough into an oval shape.
• Pastry Brush: Perfect for brushing melted butter over the baked stollen.
• Sifter or Fine Mesh Strainer: Great for dusting powdered sugar evenly.
• Sharp Knife: Useful for cutting and shaping the dough.

Steps To Prepare Dutch Christmas Stollen

• Fruit Infusion

Gather a colorful mix of dried fruits and soak them in a splash of rum or orange juice. Let the fruits mingle and absorb the liquid for a short while, creating a burst of flavor that will make your stollen sing with holiday cheer.

• Dough Magic

Mix together flour, sugar, and warm spices in a cozy bowl. Incorporate melted butter, milk, and a beaten egg to create a soft, pillowy dough. Knead the mixture until it becomes smooth and elastic, working it with love and care.

• Fruit Dance

Gently fold the soaked fruits into the dough, creating a beautiful marbled effect. Distribute the fruits evenly, ensuring each bite will be a delightful surprise of sweet and tangy flavors.

• Rising Anticipation

Let the dough rest in a warm, draft-free spot. Watch it slowly expand and rise, growing plump and full of promise. This is where the magic of baking truly happens.

• Shaping the Treasure

Roll out the dough into a beautiful oval. Nestle a log of almond paste down the center, then carefully fold the dough over, creating a cozy home for the sweet filling. Pinch the edges to seal in all the deliciousness.

• Final Transformation

Place your shaped stollen on a baking sheet and let it rise one more time. The anticipation builds as the dough becomes puffy and full of potential.

• Baking Brilliance

Slide the stollen into a preheated oven. Watch as it turns a gorgeous golden brown, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that speaks of holiday traditions and warm memories.

• Finishing Flourish

While still warm, brush the stollen with melted butter. Dust generously with a snowfall of powdered sugar, transforming it into a true winter wonderland treat that will delight everyone who tastes it.

Tips For Baking Dutch Christmas Stollen Right

• Fruit Soaking Secrets: Use high-quality dried fruits and let them soak longer for deeper, richer flavor infusion. The longer they marinate, the more complex and delicious your stollen will taste.
• Dough Mastery Technique: Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop gluten and creates a softer, more tender texture. Warm hands and a consistent kneading motion make all the difference.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum. Add an extra egg to help bind the ingredients and maintain the stollen's traditional soft texture. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the stollen up to two days before serving. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. The flavors will develop and intensify, making it even more delicious as it rests.
• Vegan Transformation: Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk, use plant-based butter, and replace eggs with a mixture of ground flaxseed and water. Choose vegan almond paste or make your own using plant-based ingredients to maintain the traditional flavor profile.

Serving Dutch Christmas Stollen Made Easy

• Festive Breakfast Companion: Pair your stollen with a warm cup of rich hot chocolate or traditional Dutch coffee for a cozy morning treat that celebrates holiday spirit.
• Elegant Dessert Showcase: Slice the stollen into thin pieces and arrange beautifully on a decorative platter with sprigs of fresh holly or rosemary for a stunning after-dinner presentation.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper tied with festive ribbons, creating charming homemade food gifts that friends and family will treasure during Christmas celebrations.
• Holiday Tea Time Delight: Serve thin slices alongside afternoon tea, complementing the bread with soft cheeses, fig jam, or a dollop of whipped cream for an indulgent snacking experience.

How To Keep Dutch Christmas Stollen Fresh

Wrap the cooled stollen tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain its moisture and freshness for up to 5-7 days at room temperature.

• Refrigeration Strategy: Extend the stollen's lifespan by storing it in the refrigerator, where it can last up to 10 days without losing its delightful texture and flavor.
• Freezing Technique: Slice the stollen before freezing for easy individual servings. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen stollen can maintain its quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheating Magic: Revive chilled or frozen stollen by warming it briefly in the oven at 300F for 5-7 minutes, which helps restore its soft texture and brings out the rich, festive flavors.

Festive Dutch Christmas Stollen Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Festive Dutch Christmas stollen brings traditional holiday cheer from Netherlands with marzipan-filled bread rich in dried fruits and warming spices. Sweet holiday treat delivers delightful cultural experience you can savor and share with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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• 3.5 cups (875 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 packet (2.25 tsp or 7 g) instant yeast
• ½ cup (120 mL) warm milk (about 110°F or 43°C)
• ¼ cup (60 mL) warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
• ¼ cup (60 mL) unsalted butter, melted
• 7 oz (200 g) almond paste or marzipan
• ½ cup (75 g) raisins
• ½ cup (75 g) dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots
• ⅓ cup (40 g) chopped almonds or pecans
• ¼ cup (40 g) candied orange peel, finely chopped (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
• 1 tbsp rum or orange juice (to soak the dried fruit)
• 12 tsp milk (to soften, if needed)
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) unsalted butter, melted
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Fruit Preparation: Combine raisins, cranberries, almonds, and candied orange peel in a bowl. Saturate with rum or orange juice, ensuring complete coverage. Let ingredients meld and absorb liquid for 15 minutes.
2. Dough Development: In a large mixing bowl, blend flour, sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Integrate melted butter, warm milk, warm water, and beaten egg until a cohesive mixture forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead energetically for 8-10 minutes, or use a stand mixer with dough hook for 5-6 minutes, creating a smooth, elastic dough.
3. Fruit Integration: Drain excess liquid from soaked fruits and gently fold into the prepared dough, distributing evenly to create a balanced flavor profile.
4. First Proofing: Relocate dough to a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and position in a warm, draft-free zone. Allow dough to rise for 1-1.5 hours until volume doubles.
5. Shaping and Filling: Deflate risen dough and roll into an oval shape. Center a log of almond paste along the length, then carefully fold dough over, sealing edges to form a distinctive loaf.
6. Second Proofing and Baking: Position shaped stollen on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a light cloth and let rise for 30-40 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Bake until golden-brown and produces a hollow sound when tapped, approximately 30-35 minutes.
7. Finishing Touches: Immediately brush warm stollen with melted butter. Dust generously with powdered sugar, creating a festive appearance. Cool completely before slicing to maintain structural integrity.

Notes

• Fruit Soaking Strategy: Drain excess liquid thoroughly to prevent soggy dough and maintain ideal texture during baking.
• Kneading Technique: Work the dough until smooth and elastic, developing gluten for a light, airy final product with consistent crumb structure.
• Temperature Control: Create a warm, draft-free environment for rising to ensure proper yeast activation and optimal dough development without cooling interruptions.
• Butter and Sugar Finish: Apply melted butter while warm and dust with powdered sugar immediately after baking to lock in moisture and create a traditional festive appearance.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Dutch

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg