We love diving into festive baking, and our Breadmaker Stollen Recipe brings a cozy German tradition straight to your kitchen. This rich, fruit-packed bread hails from Germany where it’s a Christmas staple, filled with dried fruits nuts and a hint of spice that warms the holidays.
With our easy adaptation for a bread machine you’ll whip up this delightful treat without the fuss. It’s perfect for beginners yet delivers that authentic flavor we all crave making holiday prep a breeze.
Ingredients
For our Breadmaker Stollen Recipe, we gather these key ingredients to capture the authentic German flavors of dried fruits, nuts, and spices. We’ve organized them in the order they should be added to your bread machine for optimal results, with prep notes for clarity.
Wet Ingredients
- Warm milk: 1 cup (105°F/40°C), to activate the yeast and create a soft dough base.
- Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup, melted, for richness and moisture in the bread.
- Large eggs: 2, lightly beaten, to add structure and a tender crumb.
Dry Ingredients and Add-Ins
- All-purpose flour: 3 1/2 cups, sifted, as the foundation for the dough—ensure it’s measured accurately for the right consistency.
- Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup, to balance the tartness of the fruits and enhance sweetness.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, to amplify flavors without overpowering.
- Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon, for that signature warm, spicy note in our festive bread.
- Ground nutmeg: 1/2 teaspoon, freshly grated if possible, to deepen the holiday aroma.
- Active dry yeast: 2 1/4 teaspoons (one packet), proofed separately if your machine requires it, to ensure proper rising.
Fruits and Nuts
- Raisins: 1 cup, soaked in rum or warm water for 15 minutes and drained, for plump, flavorful bites.
- Chopped candied citrus peel: 1/2 cup, to infuse a traditional tangy sweetness.
- Slivered almonds: 1/2 cup, toasted lightly for added crunch and nutty depth—stir in during the final mix cycle.
This selection ensures our Breadmaker Stollen Recipe delivers a moist, fruit-packed bread that’s perfect for holiday celebrations. If you’re adjusting for dietary needs, note that these measurements yield one standard loaf (approximately 1.5 pounds), as detailed in the table below for quick reference.
| Ingredient Category | Total Quantity | Prep Time (minutes) | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Ingredients | 1.5 cups combined | 5 | Provides moisture and structure |
| Dry Ingredients and Add-Ins | 4.5 cups combined | 10 | Ensures even rising and flavor |
| Fruits and Nuts | 2 cups combined | 15 (including soak) | Adds texture and festive taste |
Equipment Needed
To seamlessly transition from gathering our ingredients to preparing the Breadmaker Stollen, we need a selection of essential tools that ensure accuracy and ease in the bread machine process. This setup simplifies holiday baking while maintaining the authentic German flavors we’ve outlined.
- Bread Machine: Our primary tool for mixing, kneading, and baking the dough. We recommend a model with at least a 1.5-pound capacity to accommodate the stollen loaf size mentioned in the ingredients section.
- Measuring Cups: Precise tools for liquids and dry ingredients like milk and flour. Use a set that includes both liquid and dry cups to avoid measurement errors.
- Measuring Spoons: Essential for smaller quantities such as salt, sugar, and spices. Accurate measurements here are key to achieving the perfect rise and flavor balance.
- Mixing Bowl: A medium-sized bowl for combining wet ingredients like eggs and butter before adding them to the bread machine, ensuring even incorporation.
- Digital Kitchen Scale: Helpful for weighing ingredients like flour and nuts if you prefer metric precision, though our recipe uses standard US measurements for simplicity.
- Cutting Board and Knife: Used for chopping candied citrus peel and nuts such as slivered almonds, adding texture to our festive bread.
With these tools ready, we can move forward confidently to the preparation steps.
Instructions
Now that we have our ingredients and equipment ready, let’s guide you through crafting our flavorful Breadmaker Stollen with ease and precision. We’ll break down each step to ensure your holiday baking turns out perfectly authentic and delicious.
Prepare the Ingredients
Before we start the bread machine, let’s get everything prepped for optimal results. Begin by measuring out the wet ingredients: warm the milk to about 110°F (use a kitchen thermometer for accuracy), melt the unsalted butter, and beat the large eggs in a mixing bowl until smooth. This creates a rich base that gives our stollen its moist, tender texture.
Next, handle the dry ingredients: sift the all-purpose flour to remove lumps, then mix in the granulated sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg for even distribution. These spices will infuse a warm, festive aroma that evokes German Christmas traditions.
Finally, prepare the fruits and nuts: soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes to plump them up, drain thoroughly, and combine with chopped candied citrus peel and slivered almonds. This step ensures the add-ins blend seamlessly into the dough, adding a delightful crunch and burst of fruity sweetness to every bite.
Use the Breadmaker
With our ingredients prepped, let’s add them to the breadmaker in the correct order to activate the yeast properly and achieve a well-risen loaf. First, pour in the wet ingredients—warm milk, melted butter, and beaten eggs—into the bread machine pan to form the liquid base.
Follow immediately with the dry ingredients: layer on the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and sprinkle the active dry yeast on top in the center (avoid direct contact with liquids for better rising). Finally, add the prepared fruits and nuts—raisins, chopped candied citrus peel, and slivered almonds—evenly over the top.
Select the dough cycle on your bread machine (typically 1.5-hour setting for a 1.5-pound loaf) and start it. As the machine kneads, you’ll hear the satisfying rhythm and smell the spices blending, creating a dough that’s elastic and full of holiday essence.
Shape and Bake
Once the dough cycle finishes, we’ll shape our stollen for that classic oblong form that makes it so iconic. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface—it’s warm and slightly sticky, so handle it gently—and knead in any loose fruits or nuts for about 1 minute to ensure even distribution.
Roll the dough into a 10-inch by 8-inch oval, then fold one long side over the other to create a half-moon shape, pressing lightly to seal. This shaping step gives our stollen its dense, satisfying structure. Transfer it to a greased baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes until it puffs up slightly.
Preheat your oven to 350°F, then bake the shaped stollen for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and an internal temperature of 190°F is reached (use a digital thermometer for precision). The oven will fill with the irresistible scent of spiced fruits, making your kitchen feel like a festive German market.
Cool and Serve
After baking, let our stollen cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour to set its structure and enhance the flavors—rushing this step could make it crumble. Once cooled, brush the top with melted unsalted butter and dust generously with powdered sugar for a snowy, traditional finish that adds a sweet, elegant touch.
Slice the stollen into 1-inch thick pieces to reveal the colorful fruits and nuts inside, and serve it with a hot cup of coffee or tea. This presentation highlights the moist crumb and spicy notes, making it a showstopper for your holiday gatherings that stores well for up to a week in an airtight container.
Conclusion
We’ve crafted this breadmaker stollen recipe to bring authentic German holiday joy straight to your kitchen. It’s a simple yet rewarding way to create traditions that fill your home with festive aromas and flavors.
As we wrap up, remember we’re here to inspire your baking adventures—try this loaf and make it your own seasonal staple.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Breadmaker Stollen Recipe?
A Breadmaker Stollen Recipe is a simplified version of the traditional German Christmas bread, adapted for a bread machine. It features a rich, fruit-filled dough with dried fruits, nuts, and spices, capturing the festive spirit while being easy for beginners. This method streamlines holiday baking, yielding a 1.5-pound loaf perfect for celebrations.
What are the key ingredients for this German Stollen recipe?
The key ingredients include wet components like warm milk, unsalted butter, and eggs for richness; dry ingredients such as flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and yeast for structure and flavor; plus fruits and nuts like raisins, candied citrus peel, and slivered almonds for texture. These are added in order to the bread machine for optimal results.
How do I prepare the ingredients for the bread machine?
Start by measuring wet ingredients accurately, like warm milk and butter, and mix in a bowl. Sift dry ingredients such as flour, sugar, and spices. Soak raisins to soften them. Chop candied citrus peel and nuts. Add ingredients to the bread machine in the specified order—wet first, then dry, followed by yeast—to ensure proper dough formation.
What equipment is needed to make Breadmaker Stollen?
You’ll need a bread machine with at least a 1.5-pound capacity, measuring cups and spoons for accuracy, a mixing bowl for wet ingredients, a digital kitchen scale for precise measurements, and a cutting board with a knife for chopping fruits and nuts. These tools make the process straightforward and efficient.
How long does it take to make this Stollen recipe?
The entire process takes about 3-4 hours, including prep time (15-20 minutes), the bread machine dough cycle (around 1.5 hours), shaping and baking (30-45 minutes), and cooling. It’s designed for convenience, allowing you to enjoy fresh Stollen with minimal hands-on effort during the holidays.
Can I customize the Breadmaker Stollen Recipe?
Yes, you can customize by swapping nuts like almonds for walnuts or adding extra dried fruits. Adjust spices for personal taste, but keep measurements balanced to maintain texture. Always ensure the bread machine’s capacity isn’t exceeded for best results, preserving the authentic German flavor.
How should I store homemade Stollen?
Store cooled Stollen in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for up to two weeks to keep it fresh. For longer storage, freeze slices wrapped in plastic for up to three months. Before serving, bring to room temperature and dust with powdered sugar for that festive touch.