German Stollen have been around for nearly 700 years and are prized throughout the world as one of the most famous and beloved of all Christmas pastries. Your search for the BEST authentic German Stollen recipe has ended: Flaky, moist, and divinely flavorful, these homemade German Christmas Stollen are INCREDIBLE!
What is Christmas Stollen (Christstollen)?
Christmas stollen, known in Germany as Christstollen, is a yeast bread that is baked with dried fruits, candied citrus peel, nuts and spices. Variations include Mandelstollen (almond), Mohnstollen (poppy seed), Quarkstollen (quark), Nuss-Stollen (nuts), Butterstollen (high butter content), Dresdner Stollen and Marzipanstollen.
What are the ingredients in Stollen?
Occasionally, marzipan, vanilla extract, almonds nut and spices are used to enhance flavors. The standards of the German bakers association prescribe that for every 100g of flour, Stollen must contain at least 30g of butter and at least 60kg of dried fruits.
What is the best tasting Stollen?
The best tasting Stollen contains select quality wheat flour, yeast, butter (instead of margarine or vegetable oils), dried raisins, sultanas or currants soaked in rum, orangeat (candied orange), Zitronat (candied lemon), and powdered sugar as a topping. Occasionally, marzipan, vanilla extract, almonds nut, and spices are used to enhance flavors.
What is Stollen and why do we eat it?
But there is also religious symbolism behind the stollen with the loaf, or bread, being symbolic of the body of Christ. Specifically, being dusted with powdered sugar, it is symbolic of the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. Thus it is traditionally called Christstollen, or Christ Stollen.
How long do you cook Stollen in the oven?
Towards the end of the last rise, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and bake the stollen for 30-40 minutes or until golden. You can use an instant read thermometer to aim for an internal temperature of 190 degrees F. Let them sit for 5 minutes, then use a toothpick to poke holes all over the stollen.
