Christmas Stollen is a festive bread with a long history and a flavor that instantly signals the holiday season. Originating in Germany, this rich, fruit filled loaf has been enjoyed for centuries, especially during Advent and Christmas celebrations. With its snowy dusting of powdered sugar and dense, tender crumb, stollen looks simple on the outside but delivers deep, comforting flavor in every slice.
What makes Christmas stollen so special is its balance of richness and restraint. The dough is enriched with butter and milk, giving it a soft yet sturdy texture that holds generous amounts of dried fruit. Raisins, currants, and candied citrus are traditionally folded in, bringing bursts of sweetness and a subtle chew. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add depth without overpowering the bread, while citrus zest brightens the flavor and keeps it from feeling heavy.
One of the most distinctive features of stollen is its shape. The folded loaf is said to resemble a swaddled baby, a nod to its connection with Christmas traditions. Once baked, the bread is brushed with melted butter and coated in powdered sugar, creating a protective layer that also gives stollen its signature look. Over time, this buttery sugar crust allows the flavors to deepen, which is why stollen is often made days or even weeks before Christmas.
Christmas stollen is traditionally enjoyed in thin slices, making it perfect for slow mornings or afternoon coffee breaks during the holidays. It pairs beautifully with coffee, matcha latte, cinnamon tea, or hot chocolate, and it’s often served alongside other festive treats as part of a holiday spread. Because it’s rich and filling, a little goes a long way, turning each slice into something to savor rather than rush.
More than just a bread, stollen represents patience and anticipation. It’s the kind of holiday baking that encourages slowing down, planning ahead, and sharing something meaningful with others. Whether enjoyed as part of a long standing family tradition or discovered for the first time, Christmas stollen brings warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of celebration to the season.
Ingredients
- 500 g all-purpose flour
- 150 g butter softened
- 200 ml milk warmed
- 100 g sugar
- 1 packet yeast dry
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest grated
- 200 g mixed dried fruit raisins, currants, etc.
- 100 g almonds chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 50 g icing sugar for dusting
- 100 g marzipan rolled into a log
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the yeast with warm milk and a spoonful of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Add the flour, remaining sugar, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Knead into a dough.
- Fold in the dried fruit, nuts, and cinnamon. Knead until all are combined evenly.
- Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and roll it out into a rectangle. Place the marzipan log in the center and fold the dough over it.
- Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let it rise for another 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the stollen for 1 hour or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before dusting generously with icing sugar.
- Slice and serve the stollen at room temperature.
Nutrition
This stollen recipe is fantastic! It tasted just like the ones from the bakery. Will definitely make it again!
I’m a bit skeptical about adding marzipan. Do you really think it makes a difference? I might skip that part.
Nah, marzipan is overrated. Just skip it, make it how you like! I never use it and my stollen turns out just fine. 🥱
I get where you’re coming from! But marzipan really adds a nice almond flavor that complements the fruit. I say give it a try, you might be surprised!
I don’t like raisins or currants. Can I use chocolate chips instead? 🤔
Yummy but way too sweet for my taste! I recommend reducing the sugar by half.
I had no idea what stollen was until my grandma told me! This recipe was super easy to follow and turned out great!
Easy and delicious! My family loved it, especially during Christmas time. Merry Christmas!