Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

a classic German Christmas food

Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 4h 35m
Cook Time: 2h 45m
Total Time: 7h 20m
Temp.: 350 ºF
Servings: 25
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (15 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

For the dried fruits filling:

For the dough:

For the almond paste:

Nutritional Information

479
Calories
6.3g
Fat
53.1g
Carbohydrate
9.7g
Protein
63mg
Cholesterol
264mg
Sodium
Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

Recipe Description

Ah Stollen! One of my favorite things about Christmas and it always brings back such happy memories of visiting my grandmother around the holiday season. She would always have a traditional ‘Christstollen’ – a yeasty, bready cake with almond paste and dried fruits and coated with fine powdered sugar.

Traditionally, Stollen is made ahead of time and allowed to age for a minimum of three weeks. In this recipe I suggest making the dried fruits filling 2-4 weeks before making the stollen. The almond paste can also be made up to three months in advance. For best results, bake your Stollen at least a day ahead.

To make Stollen, you will need the following ingredients:So, how to make Stollen?

Ingredients for Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

Recipe Features

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Make the filling

    3 min
    Step 1 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Start by toasting the hazelnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, almonds and walnuts.

  2. 2

    Chop the walnuts and prunes and dice the candied orange

    5 min
    Step 2 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Chop the walnuts and prunes roughly. Dice the candied orange peel.

  3. 3

    Combine all ingredients

    2 min
    Step 3 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    In a large bowl, mix the dried fruits and nuts with sugar and add the Kirschwasser. Stir well to combine.

  4. 4

    Store for 2-4 weeks

    4 weeks min
    Step 4 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Shake the container well every week and drain the liquid before using. Reserve the liquid for drizzling over Stollen slices or to make Christmas cocktails.

  5. 5

    Make the dough

    2 min
    Step 5 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine milk, eggs, and egg yolks. Add the spices, salt and honey or trimoline. Mix to combine.

  6. 6

    Add dry ingredients

    20 min
    Step 6 - Christmas Stollen with MarzipanStep 6 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Add the flours, sugar and yeast. Mix for 5 minutes on low speed to combine before increasing the speed to medium. Continue to mix for about 15 minutes until the dough comes away from the sides of the bowl. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally when mixing.

  7. 7

    Mix in butter

    10 min
    Step 7 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Gradually add the butter and continue to mix the dough for 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

  8. 8

    Add the dried fruits filling

    1h 30m
    Step 8 - Christmas Stollen with MarzipanStep 8 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Add the drained dried fruits and mix on low until the filling is well distributed throughout the dough. Cover and leave to prove for about 90 minutes until the dough has doubled in size.

  9. 9

    Make almond paste

    5 min
    Step 9 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Place the sugar, water and glucose in a saucepan and heat to 244 ºF.

  10. 10

    Mix almonds and syrup

    5 min
    Step 10 - Christmas Stollen with MarzipanStep 10 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Place the almond meal in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Pour the hot syrup over the meal and mix together on a low speed, immediately add the trimoline or honey, Kirschwasser, and almond extract. Mix on medium-low speed for 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally.

  11. 11

    Shape the paste into a cylinder

    5 min
    Step 11 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Place the almond paste on a surface and shape it into a cylindrical log. Wrap the cylinder tightly in plastic food wrap and prick a few holes in it. Leave to rest at room temperature. The paste will keep for up to 3 months.

  12. 12

    Heat the oven

    5 min

    Preheat the oven to 350 ºF.

  13. 13

    Assemble the Stollen

    35 min
    Step 13 - Christmas Stollen with MarzipanStep 13 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Transfer the risen Stollen dough to a clean work surface. Knock the air out of the dough and shape into a log. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes before dividing into 2 1.8 lb portions 1 0.9 lb portion. Shape into rounds. Cover the dough shapes and leave to rest for 20 minutes.

  14. 14

    Combine dough and almond paste

    5 min
    Step 14 - Christmas Stollen with MarzipanStep 14 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Flatten the dough gently on a floured work surface. Using a rolling pin, make a mark in the dough. Place the almond paste log in the indentation. Fold over the dough and seal.

  15. 15

    Leave dough to rise again

    1h 30m
    Step 15 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Place the Stollen on a baking sheet and leave to prove for 90 minutes.

  16. 16

    Bake

    2h 45m
    Step 16 - Christmas Stollen with MarzipanStep 16 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Bake the largest ones for 40-45 minutes and the smaller Stollen for 30-35 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool for two hours.

  17. 17

    Serve

    Step 17 - Christmas Stollen with Marzipan

    Before serving, brush the Stollen with melted butter. Sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar and serve at room temperature.

This Stollen recipe will transport you to Germany if you decide to make it this Christmas! If you make it this year, don’t forget to tag your holiday baking photos with #cookmerecipes.

About the author

Jelena Mardere

Jelena is an interior designer and young mom! As a busy working mom, her time is precious so she’s always looking for a quick and efficient way to get things done. Jelena is very creative, but has a strong practical side. She loves trying new things and travels a lot, especially around Europe. The kitchen is Jelena’s safe space, where she can let her creative side out and dedicate herself to her favorite hobby - cooking!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (15 reviews)
Ulises González
April 4, 2025
Verified

La Stollen está de locos! Me recuerda a la abuela y sus fiestas. Súper fácil de hacer y queda de rechupete. Definitivamente haré más este año. ¡Gracias, Cook.me!

Yale
February 25, 2025
Verified

This Christmas Stollen is just superb! It brought back memories of my grandmother's kitchen. The marzipan and dried fruits are a perfect combo. Can't believe how simple it was to make.

Yazzy
July 1, 2024
Verified

Delicious

Gabriela
April 10, 2024
Verified

Memoria dulce navidad.

Rebecca Smith
December 1, 2023
Verified

Superb recipe, loved the marzipan flavor.

Tina
November 23, 2023
Verified

Stollen rocks, fam! Brings back grandma vibes and is super easy to whip up. Love how the marzipan melts in my mouth. Made it for the fam, and they devoured it! Totally a holiday must-have.

Xena Thompson
October 30, 2023
Verified

Incredible!

Robert
October 12, 2023
Verified

I made this Stollen for my family this Christmas and it was a huge hit! The flavors reminded me of my grandmother's kitchen. I remember her busying around, making this special treat just like this recipe. Simple steps and great results. I'll be making this every holiday season from now on.

Ximena Gonzalez
August 3, 2023
Verified

Wow! Stollen reminded me of childhood with grandma. Super easy, just mix and go! Can't believe I made it, felt like a pro. Top it with sugar and boom! Christmas vibes all around.

Laura Williams
October 2, 2022
Verified

This Stollen recipe reminded me of my childhood. It was so easy to follow, and the results were absolutely heavenly. A delightful piece of nostalgia to share with my husband.

Jessica
September 5, 2022
Verified

Stollen totally rocks! Made it for fam. Reminds me of my grandma's love every bite.

Sam
December 16, 2021
Verified

I made the Christmas Stollen and it turned out fantastic. It reminded me of my childhood when my gran used to bake it for the family. The marzipan and dried fruits were a delightful mix. It was simple to prepare, and it filled the house with lovely smells. A true festive treat

Katie
December 1, 2020
Verified

I made this Stollen and it reminded me of my grandma's. The combination of marzipan and dried fruits is just perfect. I'm thankful for this recipe, it made my Christmas special.

Elaine
June 12, 2020
Verified

Deliciously festive treat!

Athina
December 20, 2019
Verified

Amazing! I love it! Thanks for sharing recipe!

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