German Christmas Stollen

Here you will find a traditional German recipe for the delicious Christstollen, perfect for the holiday season. Christstollen is a popular pastry with a long history in Germany, enjoyed during the festive holidays. With its rich filling of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, it is a true delight for the senses. Our recipe will guide you through the process, ensuring that your Christstollen turns out perfect. Whether you want to enjoy it yourself or share it as a gift with your loved ones, this Christstollen will surely be a highlight of your holiday table. Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and let yourself be enchanted by this traditional German holiday classic. Happy baking and happy holidays!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

1 cup lukewarm whole milk
3 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour (amount may vary depending on fruit/nut mixture)
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Zest of one lemon
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 ounces marzipan almond paste (optional)

For the Fruits & Nuts:

9 ounces raisins
3 ounces candied lemon peel, finely diced
3 ounces candied orange peel, finely diced
3 ounces sliced almonds, finely chopped

For the Glaze & Dusting:

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Stir in the finely chopped toasted almonds until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Take a small portion of dough and roll it into a ball, then shape it into a crescent shape. Place the crescent cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cooled, dust the cookies with powdered sugar.
Serve and enjoy these delicious Greek toasted almond crescent cookies!