Description
German holiday stollen brings festive cheer with rich, buttery dough packed with candied fruits and nuts. Marzipan-filled and dusted with powdered sugar, this traditional Christmas bread delivers sweet, nostalgic comfort right to your holiday table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup cold butter (equivalent to 8 tablespoons)
Dry and Sweet Ingredients:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup slivered almonds (toasted and cooled)
- ⅓ cup mixed dried fruit: combine a half-cup of golden raisins with your choice of chopped dried fruits, like cherries and cranberries
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar (for topping)
- 6 tablespoons butter (melted, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined.
- Dice the cold butter into small cubes and incorporate into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, blend cottage cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Dust the dried fruits and almonds with a small amount of flour to prevent sinking, then gently fold them into the dry ingredient mixture.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined and the dough begins to form.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead just enough to bring it together without overworking.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions.
- Roll each portion into an oval shape approximately 8 inches (20 centimeters) long and 7 inches (18 centimeters) wide, maintaining a thickness of about 1/2 inch (1.3 centimeters).
- Fold each oval lengthwise, leaving a small border unsealed at one edge to create the traditional stollen shape.
- Gently press down one inch from the sealed edge to help maintain the distinctive form.
- Carefully place the shaped loaves on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Brush the warm stollen generously with melted butter, then dust thoroughly with powdered sugar.
- Allow to cool completely, then brush again with butter and sprinkle additional powdered sugar if desired.
- Once fully cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap. The stollen can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Notes
- Sweet memories of German holiday traditions inspire this classic Christmas bread.
- Prepare ingredients ahead of time to ensure smooth baking experience.
- Fresh fruit and nuts create delightful bursts of flavor throughout each slice.
- Cold butter works magic in developing perfect crumbly texture for stollen.
- Gentle kneading prevents tough dough while maintaining delicate structure.
- Generous butter and sugar coating transforms this bread into a festive treat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 482 kcal
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 306mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 60mg