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    Home » Desserts

    Authentic Stollen Recipe - a German Christmas Cake

    Published: Nov 25, 2020 · Modified: Dec 15, 2021 by Marita · 14 Comments

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    German Stollen Recipe

    Do you want to learn how to make stollen? Great! I did too, so I asked my uncle, Heinz, a retired German baker. He walked me through the steps of his German stollen recipe. I am happy to share what I have learned! 

    German Stollen
    Jump to:
    • What is Stollen?
    • Ingredients:
    • Stollen Baking Essentials (Affiliate links)
    • Let's get started making this stollen
    • Tips and Tricks to make the best stollen
    • How to serve stollen?
    • How long does Stollen keep? 
    • Can you freeze Stollen?
    • Do you have leftover Stollen?
    • Interested in German Christmas?
    • More German Christmas Baking Recipes
    • Recipe

    A quick backstory:  My father was born into a family of bakers in Bremen in the 1950s. His father was a baker and his two brothers followed in his footsteps. Until recently you could visit the “Bäckerei Jünemann" in Bremen, but my uncle has now retired. 

    You will of course have heard of stollen. The white powdered German Christmas cake. It is available to buy in Lidl and Aldi at Christmas time. Try homemade stollen, and you will never buy one again.

    A slice of stollen

    What is Stollen?

    Stollen is a cake that is eaten around Christmas time in Germany. Does the shape of the stollen remind you of anything? Can you guess? Correct! It looks a bit like Baby Jesus wrapped in a linen cloth hence also the name “Christstollen” or "Christmas Stollen"

    All stollen recipes have two things in common:

    1. They are based on a sweet yeast dough.
    2. The content of fat is very high relation to the low quantity of liquid in the dough. This makes the stollen so dry but also enables it to keep for so long.

    My uncle told me that in previous decades, people would make their own stollen recipe at home. However,  in post-war Germany, the stollen used to be about 2 meters long. They would not fit into a conventional oven so they would bring it to his bakery to be baked. Then it would be stored at home waiting for Christmas to arrive.  

    There are many varieties to the traditional stollen cake recipe:

    • Stollen or Raisin Stollen
    • Mandelstollen - with Almonds
    • Quarkstollen  - with Quark
    • Marzipan Stollen - with marzipan
    • Mohnstollen (with poppy seeds) - with poppy seeds
    • Butter Stollen
    • Dresden Stollen (especially high in butter and raisins and can only be made in Dresden).

    A similar Christmas Cake to Stollen is the Bremer Klaben. Very similar to stollen, but more common in the north.

    Ingredients:

    • Butter – use quality butter and you will taste the difference!
    • Raisins – Soak them overnight in water and some rum.
    • Almonds – Roast them before adding them to the dough as it gives the cake a nutty flavour.
    • Marzipan – Does stollen have to have marzipan? The answer is no. If you don’t like it, then simply leave it out. 
    • Candied Orange and Lemon Peel – You can buy them or make your own. 
    • Gingerbread spice – shopbought (affiliate link) - but we recommend to make homemade lebkuchen spice for more flavour see recipe)
    • Vanilla Sugar – you can make your own or buy it. Alternatively use 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (affiliate link).
    • Salt

    Stollen Baking Essentials (Affiliate links)

    Let's get started making this stollen

    The night before

    1. The night before soak the raisins in some warm water and a shot of rum. If you are baking for children, just omit the rum.

    Starting the yeast dough

    1. Make a pre-dough by mixing the yeast with 100 gr of the flour. Combine with lukewarm milk to a smooth batter. Cover and leave to rise for 45 minutes in a warm place. 
    2. In the meantime roast the almonds at 200°C or 392°F for 10 minutes until they start to turn golden. Leave to cool.

    Making the main dough

    1. Once the pre-dough has risen, add the rest of the flour, salt, sugar, butter, vanilla sugar and gingerbread spice to the dough. Knead thoroughly with either a dough hook or your hands. Don’t worry if the dough is a little tough. Kneading this dough is hard work.
    2. Now add the almonds and raisins to the dough. Do not knead too vigorously, otherwise the raisins might burst and will colour the dough.
    Steps on how to make German Stollen

    3. Roll the stollen into an approx. 30 cm long roll. With a rolling pin, flatten the dough from the middle. (see pictures)

    Steps on how to fold German Stollen

    4. Once flattened you can add the marzipan in little flakes onto the dough. Do not put the marzipan too close to the edge as it may burn. 

    5. Finally you can create the traditional stollen shape. You fold both sides into the center. From left to right.

    6. Place the cake on a tray lined with baking paper. If using a stollen form, place it on top of the cake. If you are not using a form,  bake for 10 minutes before covering it with a sheet of baking parchment. Otherwise, it might get to brown.

    7. Bake the stollen at 200°C or 392°F for around 40 minutes.

    After baking

    1. Once the cake is baked, brush it with liquid butter and sprinkle it with granulated sugar. This will pull the moisture out of the cake. Once cooled dust with plenty of icing sugar.
    2. You can eat it straight away but it is best to wrap it in some kitchen foil. Ensure it’s airtight. Then leave to rest in a cool place for around two weeks.

    Tips and Tricks to make the best stollen

    • Use all of the ingredients at room temperature. Especially the butter. If the ingredients are too cool it can prevent the dough from risings. 
    • Soak the raisins minimum an hour – best overnight in water and rum (optional). This prevents the raisins from burning and drying out. 
    • Knead the dough thoroughly. However, ensure that the dough does not warm up too much while kneading. The dough needs to be hard in order to keep its form in the oven. 
    • Use a stollen baking form. This is not essential but my uncle recommends using a form for the following reasons
      • The stollen will look like you buy it in a German bakery. As the dough will not run and so it keeps it shape.
      • It prevents the fruits and nuts from burning. Also, it will distribute the heat evenly.
    • Leave the cake to rest before cutting it. Place it in an airtight container (best first wrapped in kitchen foil) This will help the flavours infuse. Store it in a cool dry place.

    How to serve stollen?

    In Germany, this cake is served with a cup of coffee or Glühwein. You slice it before serving. If you want you can warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave, but that is not essential. Some like to spread the slice with some butter and jam. 

    a piece of stollen on a fork

    How long does Stollen keep? 

    Stollen keeps up to three months in an airtight container when stored cool. It takes about 2 weeks to develop its flavours, as the rum-soaked raisings will infuse the rest of the cake. Some Germans say “Stollen tastes best at Easter”. However, I have never tested this theory as this cake doesn’t last that long in our house! 

    Can you freeze Stollen?

    Yes, you can freeze it. Wrap it in some freezer bags. The stollen does not mind being frozen and defrosted.

    Do you have leftover Stollen?

    Try my recipe for Caramel Apple and Stollen Trifle. It combines two traditional German Christmas desserts into one light dessert.

    German Christmas Dessert

    Interested in German Christmas?

    • Read my Guide on German Christmas Food.
    • Discover all about German Christmas Market Food
    • And see all of our Christmas Recipes

    More German Christmas Baking Recipes

    • Marzipan Cookies
    • Lebkuchenherzen Recipe - German Gingerbread Hearts
    • German Butter Cookies
    • Vanillakipferl
    • Baiser Cookies (Germen Merengue Cookies)
    • Kokusmakronen (German Coconut Macaroons)
    • Spitzbuben (German Jam Cookies)

    Recipe

    German Christstollen

    Authentic Stollen - The BEST German Christmas Cake

    Marita
    A traditional german stollen recipe with step by step instructions. Made with raisins, marzipan and almonds, and candied lemon and orange peel, this is a Christmas classic.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Resting Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Cake
    Cuisine German
    Servings 1 stollen
    Calories 4740 kcal

    Equipment

    • Stollen baking form (optional)
    • handmixer
    • pastry brush
    • baking parchment
    • Rolling Pin

    Ingredients
      

    • 400 g plain flour 14.1 oz or 3 cups ⅓ cup. Germany type 405, UK plain flour, USA pastry flour.
    • 100 ml whole milk 3.3 fl oz
    • 7 g instant yeast 2 tsp
    • 250 g unsalted butter 8.8oz or 1 cup (at room temperature)
    • 1 teaspoon gingerbread spice shopbought (affiliate link) - but we recommend to make your own for more flavour see recipe)
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 60 gr granulated sugar 2 oz or ⅓ cup
    • 160 gr raisins ¾ cup or 5.6 oz
    • 100 gr flaked almonds 3.5 oz
    • 10 gr candied orange peel 0.3 oz
    • 30 gr candied lemon peel 1 oz
    • 40 gr marzipan (optional) add more if you really like marzipan
    • 8 gr vanilla sugar one sachet, or 2 teaspoon

    To soak the raisins

    • 0.35 cl dark rum (optional)
    • 2 cups warm water

    For after baking

    • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
    • 100 gr icing sugar

    Instructions
     

    Soaking the raisings

    • Soak the raisins at least 1 hour before baking (better the night before) in warm water and with rum (optional)

    To make the dough

    • Warm up the milk to a lukewarm temperature. Stir the yeast into the milk and mix with 100 gr / 3.5 oz of the flour. Leave the yeast mixture to activate for at least 45 minutes.
    • In the meantime heat your oven up to 200°C or 392°F. Spread the almonds on a tray and toast until they are about golden brown. (about 10 minutes but make sure to check)
    • Drain the raisins.

    Make the main dough

    • Mix the yeast mixture with the remaining flour, sugar, salt, gingerbread spice and butter. Knead to a tough dough. (Don't worry its suppose to be hard work)
    • Combine the raisins, almonds, candied lemon and orangepeel to the dough. Ensure that you do not knead too vigorously, as the raisins could burst and colour the dough
    • Now form the dough to an about 30 cm long roll.
    • Flatten the middle of the dough with a rolling pin.(see pictures in post)
    • Once flatten you can add the marzipan in little flakes onto the dough. Do not put the marzipan too close to the edge as it may burn.
    • Now fold the dough from left to right into the middle.This is how you achieve the traditional stollen form. (see pictures in post)
    • Leave to rest for around 40 minutes.
    • Lay the stollen on a tray prepared with bakingpaper. If using a stolen form, place it on top of the stollen. If not using astollen form, make sure that you cover the stollen with an additional sheet of baking paper 10 minutes after itwent into the oven, as otherwise it will be too brown.
    • Bake for 40 minutes at 200 degrees.

    After baking

    • After you removed the stollen from the oven, apply the melted butter on top with a brush. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. (this will remove any moisture from the cake)
    • Once cooled sprinkle with plenty of icing sugar.
    • You can eat it immediatly, but it is better to wrap it in some kitchenfoil. Store in a cool dry place for two weeks to allow the flavors to infuse.

    Notes

    Please see detailed step by steps instructions in the main post.
    The post includes details on how to serve stollen, how to store it and freezing instructions.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4740kcalCarbohydrates: 626gProtein: 54gFat: 235gSaturated Fat: 146gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 60gTrans Fat: 9gCholesterol: 608mgSodium: 2471mgPotassium: 2056mgFiber: 24gSugar: 188gVitamin A: 7124IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 325mgIron: 24mg
    Keyword authentic german stollen, christmas stollen, Christstollen, easy recipe, German Christmas Cake, german stollen, stollen
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    ea

    « Traditional German Red Cabbage and Apple (Apfelrotkohl)
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    Filed Under: Cakes, Desserts, Vegetarian

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    Comments

    1. DIANE MESSMER

      December 25, 2021 at 5:59 am

      5 stars

      5 stars
      My German heritage Christmas specialty usually started and stopped with springerle cookies. After a Christmas in Germany 2 years ago, and many stops at the amazing bakeries, I decided to give this a go.
      Baked, wrapped it up and it felt like a brick - I was worried it was a disaster so I made a back-up Christmas bread. But after 3 days wrapped up I decided to slice off a sample......it's AWESOME!!! Dense and yummy and the raisins really mellowed. Trust the process!! I did make my own candied citrus and lebkuchen spices.This will be my new tradition!

      Reply
      • Marita

        December 30, 2021 at 3:06 pm

        Hi Diane, thanks for the feedback on the recipe! I am glad you enjoyed the stollen it is my favourite too! Best Wishes Marita

        Reply
    2. Beate Hartwig-Stucke

      November 26, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      It is Thanksgiving weekend over here but the Stollen recipe gets me in the mood for Christmas 🎄
      I love that you are in Bremen, that is where we lived for 10 years. A beautiful historic city with so many traditions.
      Thank you for all your wonderful and detailed recipes.

      Reply
      • Marita

        November 27, 2021 at 7:56 am

        Hi Beate,
        thanks for your message. I love it here is Bremen. If you like Bremen, you will know of Bremer Klaben. I just posted a recipe for this as well 🙂 Wishing you happy Christmas baking.

        Reply
    3. Karen

      December 20, 2020 at 7:43 pm

      Looks beautiful, but without spice in the ingredients it will be bland.

      Reply
      • Marita

        December 21, 2020 at 10:41 am

        Hi Karen thanks for pointing it out. It is updated

        Reply
    4. Gina

      December 01, 2020 at 1:06 am

      I love this post. Your instructions are so easy to follow. I love the history.

      Reply
    5. Emily

      November 30, 2020 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      This is stollen so beautiful and I love the stories too! How cool that you have such wonderful recipes and stories to share.

      Reply
    6. Giangi

      November 30, 2020 at 3:22 pm

      Amazing recipe! I always loved stollen but never attempted to make it. You create an incentive now to give it a try. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Bill Heppt

        November 27, 2021 at 3:49 pm

        My grandfather and father were both German bakers and one of the things I miss most is Stöllen during the Holidays. I live in NYC and finding stöllen that tastes like theirs is difficult, to say the least.
        This looks very much like the ones I remember, so I might give it a try and see if I have “the baking gene”!
        Thanks!!

        Reply
        • Marita

          November 28, 2021 at 9:28 pm

          Hi Bill! Thanks for your comment. I hope this stollen, will bring you joy. Please let me know how you got on.

          Reply
    7. Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady

      November 30, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, this is a gorgeous Stolen! I loved reading your family’s history and how to make Stolen. You’ve made me want to attempt to make it, as we’ve never tried it before. It looks absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    8. Kalin

      November 30, 2020 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Wow – your stollen looks amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had stollen before. My grandparents lived in Germany when they were younger and she always talks about the food – I’m sure she would love seeing this again!

      Reply
    9. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      November 27, 2020 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      This is amazing! I always buy it from Lidl, even though I'm sure it does not compare to the homemade one. Thanks for providing the recipe! I am planning a collab post on my blog for next week with traditional Christmas treats; I have a few countries, including Germany, but no one had a Stollen recipe, and I was looking for one. Yours is perfect because it has a history too, if you would like to have it shared, please let me know. I'm also following you on Pinterest as The World Is an Oyster if you care to have a look at my posts. Will defo make this at Christmas. My gosh, I'm gonna pile up some weight this year!😂

      Reply

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    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. I love making German recipes and exploring the cultural history behind each dish.

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