I’m excited to share with you how to make delicious Stollen, a traditional German Christmas bread that’s packed with flavor and holiday cheer. In this article, I’ll guide you through the process of creating this festive treat, step by step, based on a fantastic video tutorial I recently watched.
As someone who loves baking and exploring German holiday traditions, I’ve always been fascinated by Stollen. This sweet bread, studded with dried fruits and nuts, and often filled with a surprise log of marzipan, is a true symbol of German Christmas celebrations. What makes Stollen special isn’t just its rich taste, but also the care and time that goes into making it.
The video below breaks down the process into easy-to-follow steps, from preparing the dough to the final dusting of powdered sugar.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or trying your hand at holiday baking for the first time, this guide will help you create a Stollen that’s sure to impress your family and friends.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into the wonderful world of German Christmas baking!
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In the delicious video below, you’re invited to join a festive baking adventure.
As you watch, you’ll discover the secrets to making this rich, flavorful bread that’s packed with aromatic spices, dried fruits, and a hidden treasure of marzipan.
The host guides you through each step, from mixing the cold ingredients to the extensive kneading process that gives Stollen its unique texture. You’ll learn about the importance of temperature control and the patience required for multiple proofing stages.
But don’t let the 15-minute kneading session intimidate you! The video breaks down the process into manageable steps, showing you how to incorporate butter, fruits, and nuts at just the right moments. You’ll even pick up some pro tips, like why adding fruit and nuts later in the process is crucial for proper gluten development.
What makes this video truly special is its attention to detail. You’ll learn the traditional shaping technique that gives Stollen its distinctive look, and witness the final, mouthwatering steps of brushing the warm loaf with butter and dusting it generously with powdered sugar.
Whether you’re an experienced baker looking to expand your repertoire or a curious food enthusiast wanting to explore international holiday traditions, this video is a must-watch. It’s not just about baking; it’s about creating a piece of German Christmas magic in your own kitchen.
Below the video is a summary of what this Stollen recipe involves.
How To Make Stollen by ChainBaker
This video is part of a Christmas special series and focuses on making traditional German Stollen, a delightful sweet bread often enjoyed during the holiday season. Here’s a summary of the key points:
Ingredients Needed: To make Stollen, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Flour
- Yeast
- Egg
- Milk
- Water
- Butter
- Sugar
- Salt
- Cardamom and nutmeg (for flavor)
- Dried fruits (like raisins and currants)
- Nuts (such as almonds or hazelnuts)
- Oranges
- Marzipan (for a delicious filling)
- Powdered sugar (for coating)
Flavor Profile: Stollen is flavored with aromatic spices like cardamom and nutmeg, along with dried fruits and marzipan. After baking, it’s generously coated with butter and powdered sugar for a festive touch.
Dough Preparation: The recipe requires cold ingredients and involves extensive kneading (about 15 minutes total).
Fermentation and Shaping: The dough ferments for 3 to 3.5 hours. After fermentation, you shape the dough and add a log of marzipan in the center. Then you need to ferment it again.
Baking: Baking takes 40 to 50 minutes at 94°C (200°F) with a fan, resulting in a beautifully golden loaf.
Final Touch: Once baked, the loaf is brushed with melted butter and coated with powdered sugar, giving it a festive finish.
Want to learn more about German food? Find our guide to typical Christmas dishes here and how to make Christmas cookies here. You can also find all our German food articles here and Christmas guides here.
