Christmas Stollen

Christmas Gifts - Stollen

This traditional German cake requires some effort to make, but your friends and family will be impressed by this gift!

Taste: Simplicity: Cost:

By Abigail Pearce

Ingredients

• 500g plain flour
• 50g caster sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons easy-blend yeast
• 200ml milk (lukewarm)
• 1 egg
• 100g butter (melted)
• Grated orange zest
• 150g raisins
• 75g mixed peel - optional
• 250g marizpan
• Icing sugar to dust

Method

1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in the yeast.

2. Add the wet ingredients: Make a well in the centre and pour in the milk, egg, and melted butter. Mix all the ingredients until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

4. First rise: Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with lightly oiled clingfilm. Leave it in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.

5. Add the fruit and nuts: In a small bowl, mix the orange zest, raisins and mixed peel. Turn the risen dough onto your work surface and knead in the fruit mixture a little at a time until everything is evenly combined.

6. Shape the Stollen: Roll the dough into a rectangle about 20 x 25 cm (8 x 10 inches). Roll the marzipan into a log slightly shorter than the dough rectangle and place it down the centre. Fold the dough over the marzipan log and pinch the ends to seal.

7. Second rise: Place the shaped Stollen on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Cover loosely with oiled cling film and leave to rise for about 1 hour.

8. Bake: Preheat the oven to 180C / 160C / Gas 4. Bake the Stollen for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

9. Finish: Brush the warm Stollen with a little melted butter, then generously dust with icing sugar.

How to gift your stollen

Option 1: Gift the whole stollen

Once the Stollen is completely cool, wrap it snugly in baking parchment, then a layer of decorative foil or festive wrapping paper. Tie it with ribbon or twine and add a handwritten tag with a short message and storage tips (for example: ‘store in a cool place and enjoy within 1 week’ or ‘keeps beautifully when sliced and frozen’). You can present it in a gift box, tin or small hamper for an extra-special touch.

Option 2: Gift individual slices

Allow the Stollen to cool fully, then slice it into even portions. Wrap each slice in parchment or small food-safe cellophane bags. Add a ribbon and a tiny tag with a festive note – these make perfect small gifts, stocking stuffers, or additions to cookie boxes. For freshness, consider placing the wrapped slices in an airtight tin or box if gifting multiple pieces together.