Moist German Christmas Stollen

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A slice of Moist German Christmas Stollen tastes like the holiday season wrapped in powdered sugar. Rich with tradition, this festive bread is a cornerstone of German Christmas tables, filled with dried fruits soaked in rum, buttery almond paste, warm spices, and finished with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, tender crumb and chewy fruit.

Unlike many commercial versions that lean dry and overly dense, this homemade Stollen is soft and flavorful, thanks to a few secrets: a milk-enriched dough, generous butter, and time to develop depth. It’s not just a dessert—it’s a Christmas ritual. From the first fragrant rise to slicing into the golden loaf, the entire process fills your kitchen with warmth and a hint of nostalgia.

Why You’ll Love This Moist German Christmas Stollen

This isn’t your average fruit bread. Moist German Christmas Stollen is incredibly rich and aromatic, with pockets of marzipan that melt into the dough and juicy bursts of rum-soaked raisins and citrus peel. It keeps beautifully, tasting even better a few days after baking, making it a perfect make-ahead gift or centerpiece for a cozy holiday breakfast. Plus, making your own means you can customize it—add nuts, switch up the dried fruits, or skip the marzipan if it’s not your thing.

What Kind of Fruits and Nuts Should I Use?

Traditional Stollen includes raisins, currants, candied orange or lemon peel, and sometimes chopped almonds. The key is soaking them in rum (or juice if you prefer alcohol-free) to plump them up and infuse the dough with festive flavor. While almonds are classic, walnuts or pistachios also work beautifully. Stick with a mix you love—this bread is all about bringing joy to your table.

Ingredients for the Moist German Christmas Stollen

The soul of a great Stollen is its careful combination of rich dough and flavorful mix-ins. Every ingredient serves a purpose in making the loaf soft, sweet, and celebratory.

All-purpose flour gives the bread its structure without making it too heavy.

Active dry yeast helps the dough rise and gives it a classic bakery-style lightness.

Warm milk keeps the dough tender and moist, essential for a soft texture.

Granulated sugar adds sweetness and feeds the yeast.

Unsalted butter enriches the dough and enhances the soft, rich crumb.

Egg yolks contribute to the golden color and silky texture.

Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.

Vanilla extract adds a warm, fragrant background note.

Ground nutmeg and cinnamon infuse the dough with cozy holiday spice.

Rum is used to soak the fruit, giving it bold seasonal flavor.

Raisins, currants, and chopped candied citrus peel make up the traditional fruit mix.

Chopped almonds add a delicate crunch and subtle nuttiness.

Marzipan or almond paste gives this loaf its signature surprise center.

Powdered sugar for that snowy final flourish.

How To Make the Moist German Christmas Stollen

Step 1: Soak the Fruit

Combine raisins, currants, and candied citrus peel in a bowl. Cover with rum and let soak overnight. This softens the fruit and infuses it with warm, boozy notes.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Warm the milk slightly and dissolve in the yeast with a pinch of sugar. Let sit until frothy. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, spices, and salt. Add in the yeast mixture, egg yolks, vanilla, and soft butter. Knead until smooth.

Step 3: Add Fruits and Nuts

Drain the soaked fruit and fold into the dough along with chopped almonds. Knead gently to distribute evenly.

Step 4: First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1.5 to 2 hours until doubled in size.

Step 5: Shape with Marzipan

Punch down the dough and roll into a rectangle. Roll the marzipan into a log and place it in the center. Fold the dough over to enclose the marzipan and shape into a classic Stollen loaf.

Step 6: Second Rise

Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let rise again for about 45 minutes.

Step 7: Bake and Butter

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30–40 minutes until golden. While warm, brush generously with melted butter.

Step 8: Sugar Dusting

Once cooled slightly, coat the loaf in powdered sugar, then let it cool completely. Dust again once fully cooled for that snowy finish.

Serving and Storing Moist German Christmas Stollen

This Stollen makes enough for about 10 to 12 generous slices, perfect for sharing around a festive table. Serve it slightly warmed or at room temperature, with a cozy drink or as part of a holiday brunch spread. It gets even better after a day or two, as the flavors meld together.

To store, wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze it in a sealed bag—just thaw and warm before serving.

What to Serve With Moist German Christmas Stollen?

Hot Mulled Wine

The deep spices and fruity base of mulled wine pair beautifully with each slice.

Freshly Brewed Coffee

A rich roast cuts through the sweetness of the Stollen and enhances its warm spices.

Apple Compote

Soft, spiced apples add a tart contrast to the sweet, buttery loaf.

Mascarpone or Soft Cheese

A creamy spread on a warm slice takes this festive bread to another level.

Orange Marmalade

The citrusy tang echoes the candied peel in the loaf and brings out the brightness.

Spiced Chai

With cinnamon and cloves, chai matches the holiday warmth in every bite.

Eggnog

Go all in on festive drinks. The creaminess of eggnog plays off the marzipan center perfectly.

Want More Christmas Baking Ideas?

If you love this moist German Christmas Stollen, you might want to try these cozy, seasonal recipes too:

• Southern Hummingbird Cake for a tropical twist on holiday indulgence.
• Fried Strawberry Cheesecake Sandwiches if you’re craving a warm, fruity dessert.
• Easy Banana Cream Pie Recipe for a creamy, chilled contrast to your festive spread.
• Rhubarb Shortbread Bars with tart-sweet balance perfect for afternoon tea.
• Dr. Pepper Brownies for a crowd-pleasing rich chocolate treat.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how your Stollen turned out. Did you go classic or add your own twist? Maybe extra nuts or a different dried fruit combo?

I love seeing how each kitchen makes it their own. Ask away if you have questions—baking holiday bread is a tradition worth sharing.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and festive comfort food on Luna Meals on Pinterest and find inspiration for your next cozy recipe.

Conclusion

Moist German Christmas Stollen is more than a holiday bread—it’s a celebration of tradition, warmth, and homemade comfort. With a soft, rich dough, a swirl of marzipan, and jewel-like fruit throughout, it brings an unmistakable touch of Christmas to every table. Whether it’s your first time making it or an annual ritual, this loaf is a labor of love that rewards every bite.

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