Holidays are all about comforting traditions and delicious treats, and what better way to elevate your festive season than with a homemade Christmastime classic – Christmas Stollen! This rich and buttery German fruitbread is a delightful mix of flavors and textures, making it the perfect centerpiece for your holiday gatherings. Dive into this recipe and learn how to create your own scrumptious Christmas Stollen that will fill your home with the warm aromas of the season.
Title: Christmas Stollen
Ingredients:
– 1 cup of mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, and cranberries)
– 1/2 cup of rum
– 1/2 cup of warm milk
– 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
– 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
– Zest of 1 lemon
– Zest of 1 orange
– 1/2 cup of sliced almonds
– 1/2 cup of candied citrus peel
– 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
– 2 large eggs
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine the mixed dried fruit and rum. Let it soak for at least 1 hour or overnight to plump up the fruit.
2. In a separate bowl, stir the warm milk and yeast together. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until frothy.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, and orange zest.
4. Add the sliced almonds and candied citrus peel to the bowl of dried ingredients, mixing well.
5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the yeast mixture, softened butter, and eggs.
6. Mix everything together until a dough forms, then turn it out onto a floured surface.
7. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
8. Drain any excess rum from the dried fruit and gently fold it into the dough until evenly distributed.
9. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
10. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
11. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and shape it into a log, folding one side over the other to create the traditional stollen shape.
12. Place the stollen on the prepared baking sheet, cover it with a towel, and allow it to rise for another 30 minutes.
13. Bake the stollen in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
14. Remove the stollen from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack.
15. While still slightly warm, brush the stollen with melted butter and dust generously with powdered sugar.
16. Once completely cooled, slice and serve your Christmas Stollen to enjoy with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine!
Christmas Stollen is not only a delicious treat to enjoy during the holiday season but also a wonderful gift to share with loved ones. The combination of fragrant spices, sweet dried fruits, and crunchy almonds is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. So, why not add this festive recipe to your baking repertoire and create a new tradition that will be cherished for years to come? Happy baking and Merry Christmas!
