Stollen

Name: Stollen
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 14 servings
Ingredients: 1/2 cup warm milk; 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast; 1/3 cup sugar; 1/2 cup softened butter; 1 egg; 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 cup mixed dried fruit and candied peel; 1/2 cup chopped almonds; Melted butter and powdered sugar, for finishing

Photo: Gürgi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

14 servings45 min prep40 min cookMedium

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Stollen

Story updated September 18, 2026

Stollen is a traditional German Christmas bread, with roots in Dresden dating back to the 15th century. Early versions were notably plain due to religious restrictions on butter and rich ingredients during Advent, before those restrictions were later lifted by papal decree.

Ingredients

Scale:· 14 servings

1/2 cup warm milk
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup softened butter
1 egg
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup mixed dried fruit and candied peel
1/2 cup chopped almonds
Melted butter and powdered sugar, for finishing

Instructions

1Stir yeast and sugar into warm milk; let sit until foamy.
2Beat in softened butter and egg.
3Stir in flour and salt to form a dough, then knead in dried fruit and almonds.
4Let rise 1.5 hours, until doubled.
5Shape into an oval loaf, fold lengthwise off-center, and let rise 45 minutes.
6Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, then brush warm with melted butter and dust heavily with powdered sugar.

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