Grandma's Festive Stollen Delight
Embrace the enchanting aroma of Christmas with Grandma's Festive Stollen Delight, a traditional German bread known for its rich flavors and delightful textures. This beautifully folded, oval-shaped loaf is a cherished family recipe passed down through generations. Each bite of this stollen is a harmonious blend of spices, dried fruits, and nuts, evoking memories of joyful gatherings and festive celebrations. Traditionally enjoyed as a light breakfast on Christmas morning, it is also a perfect gift that encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season. This recipe, adapted from the 1963 Better Homes and Gardens Bread Cookbook, incorporates aromatic cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, alongside a medley of dates, figs, and almonds, elevating its flavors to new heights. Though it requires a bit of patience with rising times totaling 2 hours and 40 minutes, the end result is undoubtedly worth the love and effort. Create your own sweet tradition with this decadent stollen that brings warmth and joy to every holiday gathering.
N/A
Servings
133
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
Active Dry Yeast
2 1/4 teaspoons (Combine with warm water)
Water
1/4 cup (Warm to 110°F)
Milk
1 cup (Scalded and cooled)
Butter
1/2 cup (Melted)
Sugar
1/2 cup (Regular or vanilla sugar)
Salt
1 teaspoon (Regular table salt)
Cardamom
1 tablespoon (Ground)
Allspice
3 teaspoons (Ground)
Ground Cloves
3 teaspoons (Ground)
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (Optional, ground)
All-Purpose Flour
4-4 1/2 cups (Sifted)
Egg
1 (Slightly beaten)
Dates
2 cups (Chopped)
Currants
1/4 cup (Chopped)
Mixed Candied Fruit
1 cup (Chopped)
Candied Cherries
1 cup (Chopped)
Blanched Almonds
1/4 cup (Chopped)
Figs
2 cups (Chopped)
Seedless Raisins
1 cup (Chopped)
Confectioners' Sugar
2 cups (Sifted)
Hot Water
4 tablespoons (Hot)
Butter
1 teaspoon (For glaze)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine active dry yeast with warm water (110°F) and let it sit until frothy, about 5-10 minutes.
2
In another saucepan, mix scalded milk, butter, sugar, salt, and cardamom; allow it to cool to lukewarm.
3
Stir in 2 cups of sifted all-purpose flour until well combined.
4
Add the softened yeast mixture and the beaten egg, mixing thoroughly until a smooth batter forms.
5
Gradually mix in the chopped fruits, peels, and nuts.
6
Incorporate the remaining flour, a little at a time, until a soft dough forms.
7
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
8
Transfer the kneaded dough to a greased bowl, turning it to coat all sides with oil. Cover and let it rise in a warm location for about 1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
9
Once risen, punch down the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into three equal portions.
10
Cover the portions and allow them to rest for 10 minutes.
11
Roll each piece into a rectangle measuring approximately 10x16 inches.
12
Without stretching, fold each rectangle lengthwise, sealing the edges by pinching them together or brushing with beaten egg or warm milk.
13
Place the loaves on a greased baking sheet, cover them, and let rise in a warm area for another hour or until nearly double in size.
14
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the loaves for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
15
Remove the loaves from the oven and let them cool slightly on wire racks. Place each loaf on separate surfaces like wax paper or platter for glazing.
16
For the glaze, whisk together confectioners' sugar, hot water, and butter until smooth. Brush or pour liberally over the warm stollen, occasionally spooning excess glaze back onto the loaves.
17
Allow the loaves to sit until the glaze has set, then wrap them in plastic wrap to preserve moisture.
18
Store in a cool, dark place or freeze until ready to serve. Enjoy generous slices on Christmas morning or as festive gifts!
Nutrition Information
5
Fat
22
Carbs
1.5
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grandma's Festive Stollen Delight?
It is a traditional German Christmas bread known for its rich flavors, spices, and a blend of dried fruits and nuts, often enjoyed as a light breakfast or a festive gift.
How long does the stollen need to rise in total?
The total rising time for the stollen is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, divided into a 1.5-hour initial rise, a 10-minute rest, and a final 1-hour rise.
What is the ideal temperature for the yeast water?
The active dry yeast should be combined with warm water at approximately 110°F (43°C) to activate effectively.
What primary spices are used in this stollen recipe?
This recipe features aromatic cardamom, allspice, ground cloves, and optional cinnamon.
Which dried fruits are included in the dough?
The dough is packed with dates, currants, mixed candied fruit, candied cherries, figs, and seedless raisins.
What kind of nuts are used in this festive bread?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chopped blanched almonds.
How long should the dough be kneaded?
The dough should be kneaded on a lightly floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
How many loaves does this recipe produce?
The recipe instructions direct you to divide the dough into three equal portions to create three separate loaves.
What size should the dough rectangles be rolled to?
Each of the three portions of dough should be rolled into a rectangle measuring approximately 10x16 inches.
What is the correct baking temperature for the stollen?
The loaves should be baked in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long do the stollen loaves need to bake?
The baking time is relatively short, taking only 15 to 20 minutes until they are golden brown.
How can I tell if the stollen is fully baked?
The loaves are done when they appear golden brown and produce a hollow sound when tapped.
What ingredients are used for the stollen glaze?
The glaze is made by whisking together 2 cups of sifted confectioners' sugar, 4 tablespoons of hot water, and 1 teaspoon of butter.
When should the glaze be applied?
The glaze should be applied liberally while the stollen loaves are still warm from the oven.
How should the stollen be stored?
Once the glaze has set, wrap the loaves in plastic wrap and store them in a cool, dark place or freeze them.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving of Grandma's Festive Stollen Delight contains approximately 133 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 5 grams of fat per serving of this stollen.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains 22 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does a slice provide?
A single serving provides approximately 1.5 grams of protein.
What kind of flour is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 4 to 4.5 cups of sifted all-purpose flour.
Can I use vanilla sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either regular granulated sugar or vanilla sugar for added flavor.
What should I do with excess glaze?
As you glaze the warm loaves, you can occasionally spoon any excess glaze that runs off back onto the loaves.
Is the milk used in the dough specially prepared?
Yes, the milk should be scalded and then allowed to cool to lukewarm before being mixed with other ingredients.
How do you seal the folded loaves?
The edges can be sealed by pinching them together or by brushing them with beaten egg or warm milk before folding.
What is the origin of this specific recipe?
This version is a family recipe adapted from the 1963 Better Homes and Gardens Bread Cookbook.
How do I prepare the dough bowl for the first rise?
Place the dough in a greased bowl and turn it once to ensure all sides are coated with oil to prevent sticking.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 22 ingredients in total used to make the stollen and its glaze.
What is the purpose of punching down the dough?
After the first rise, punching down the dough releases air bubbles and allows for easier shaping into loaves.
Can this bread be served for breakfast?
Traditionally, stollen is enjoyed as a light and festive breakfast on Christmas morning.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday gifting?
Yes, it is specifically described as a perfect gift that encapsulates the spirit of the holiday season.