The warm aroma of freshly baked High Altitude Stollen wafts through the air, wrapping you in a cozy embrace. Each slice reveals a delightful medley of candied fruits, nuts, and spices that dance on your taste buds, making every bite feel like a festive celebration of flavors. For more inspiration, check out this orange custard squares recipe.
Jump to:
- <strong>Essential Ingredients</strong>
- <strong>Let’s Make it Together</strong>
- <strong>Perfecting the Cooking Process</strong>
- <strong>Add Your Touch</strong>
- <strong>Storing & Reheating</strong>
- <strong>FAQ</strong>
- What adjustments do I need for high altitude baking?
- Can I use different dried fruits in High Altitude Stollen?
- How long does High Altitude Stollen last?
- 📖 Recipe Card
Growing up, my family would gather around the kitchen as we baked this traditional German Christmas bread together. The laughter and excitement were as rich as the stollen itself, transforming our home into a winter wonderland filled with joy and anticipation for the holidays. delicious no-bake treats festive Christmas desserts.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This High Altitude Stollen is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it perfect for holiday baking
- The flavor profile is a delightful blend of spices and fruits that evoke nostalgia
- With its beautiful presentation, it’s a showstopper at any gathering
- Versatile enough to enjoy year-round, it makes an excellent gift or treat for any occasion
Last Christmas, my friends couldn’t get enough of the stollen. They kept asking for more slices, creating a friendly competition over who could snag the last piece! main course for Christmas.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish: savory holiday side dish.
- All-Purpose Flour: Use high-quality flour to ensure a light and fluffy texture in your stollen.
- Active Dry Yeast: Fresh yeast is key; check expiration dates for best results.
- Milk: Whole milk adds richness; warm it slightly before mixing to activate the yeast.
- Butter: Unsalted butter gives flavor without added salt; melt it before use for easy incorporation.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the dough; feel free to adjust based on your sweetness preference. For more inspiration, check out this cinnamon sugar donut bread recipe.
- Candied Fruits: A colorful mix of citrus peels and cherries adds festive flair; chop them finely for even distribution.
- Nuts (Almonds or Walnuts): Toasted nuts enhance flavor; chop them roughly for added crunch in each bite.
- Spices (Cinnamon and Nutmeg): Freshly grated nutmeg and ground cinnamon bring warmth; don’t skip out on these aromatic spices!
- Powdered Sugar: For dusting on top; it gives your stollen that classic snowy finish!
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Activate the Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk with sugar and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy—this step gets your stollen rising!
Create the Dough Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, spices, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture along with melted butter. Mix until combined.
Knead Your Dough: Transfer dough onto a floured surface. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic—think of it as a mini workout session!
Add Fruits and Nuts: Gently fold in candied fruits and nuts until evenly distributed throughout—this is where you bring all those festive flavors together!
Let It Rise!: Place your kneaded dough in an oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Allow it to rise in a warm area for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size—patience is key here!
Bake It Up!: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape the dough into an oval loaf and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown—a sweet aroma will fill your kitchen!
Once cooled slightly, sprinkle powdered sugar generously over your masterpiece. Slice yourself a generous piece—and maybe another one while you’re at it! Enjoy the delightful mix of textures and flavors that make this High Altitude Stollen unforgettable.
You Must Know
- High Altitude Stollen requires careful ingredient adjustments for the best texture
- Incorporate precise measurements and allow dough to rise fully, as altitude affects baking times
- This festive bread is not only a treat but also a cherished family tradition worth mastering
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by mixing your dry ingredients, then gradually add wet ones. Knead until smooth before letting it rise. Baking becomes a breeze when you follow this sequence.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap out dried fruits or nuts based on preference. Adding spices like nutmeg or cardamom can elevate flavors dramatically.
Storing & Reheating
Wrap your cooled stollen tightly in plastic wrap and store in a cool place. For reheating, slice and warm gently in an oven to keep it moist.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Use fresh yeast for better rise and flavor; stale yeast can lead to dense bread
- Pay attention to dough consistency; it should be soft yet manageable for kneading
- Don’t rush the rising time; patience leads to delightful textures and flavors
It was Christmas Eve when my grandma’s stollen brought everyone together, filling our home with warmth and laughter, making me realize that baking is all about sharing love.
FAQ
What adjustments do I need for high altitude baking?
Reduce sugar slightly and increase liquid ingredients for better dough hydration.
Can I use different dried fruits in High Altitude Stollen?
Yes, feel free to substitute with your favorite dried fruits like apricots or cranberries.
How long does High Altitude Stollen last?
Properly stored, it can last up to two weeks at room temperature, maintaining its deliciousness.
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
📖 Recipe Card
Print
High Altitude Stollen
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: About 12 servings 1x
Description
High Altitude Stollen is a deliciously rich German Christmas bread, bursting with flavors from candied fruits, nuts, and warm spices. This festive treat is easy to make and perfect for holiday gatherings or as a thoughtful gift. Each slice offers a delightful blend of textures, making it not just a dessert but a cherished tradition that fills your home with warmth.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 cup whole milk (warm)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup candied fruits (chopped)
- 1 cup toasted nuts (almonds or walnuts, roughly chopped)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by combining warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture along with melted butter. Mix until combined.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Fold in candied fruits and nuts evenly into the dough.
- Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape the dough into an oval loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
- Once cooled slightly, dust with powdered sugar before slicing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (80g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
