The rich aroma of freshly baked High Altitude Stollen wafts through the air, enveloping you in a warm hug of spices and sweetness. vanilla bean cheesecake cupcakes Imagine biting into a slice, revealing a treasure trove of dried fruits nestled within fluffy, buttery bread—pure bliss!
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 makes High Altitude Stollen different?
- Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
- How long does stollen keep?
- 📖 Recipe Card
Growing up, my family made this German Christmas bread each holiday season. The anticipation built as the dough rose, promising a festive treat that brought everyone together around the table. festive peppermint swirl cookies delicious Christmas fruitcake cookies. fun Grinch sugar cookies.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- High Altitude Stollen offers an easy preparation process that even novice bakers can master
- Its delightful flavor profile combines sweet and spiced notes for a memorable experience
- This stunning bread looks fabulous on any holiday spread, sure to impress your guests
- Versatile enough for breakfast or dessert, it suits any occasion perfectly
I still remember the first time I made this with my grandma; we nearly burned down the house with all our laughter and flour explosions!
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- All-Purpose Flour: Use high-quality flour for the best texture; it’s the backbone of your stollen.
- Active Dry Yeast: Fresh yeast gives stollen its wonderful rise; check expiration dates for optimal performance.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness—don’t skimp here; it’s Christmas after all!
- Granulated Sugar: Just enough sugar for sweetness without overpowering the spices; balance is key.
- Dried Fruits (Raisins, Currants, Cherries): Mix your favorites! Soak them in rum or juice for added flavor.
- Ground Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg): These warming spices bring holiday cheer to your dough; don’t be shy with them!
- Milk: Warm milk helps activate yeast and makes the dough nice and soft.
- Zest of Lemon and Orange: Adds a bright zestiness that perfectly complements the spices and fruit. For more inspiration, check out this orange custard squares recipe.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Activate Your Yeast: Start by warming 1 cup of milk until it’s just lukewarm. Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly.
Create Your Dough Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 cups of all-purpose flour, ½ cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of nutmeg. This aromatic blend will make your kitchen smell heavenly! For more inspiration, check out this cinnamon sugar donut bread recipe.
Add Butter and Eggs: Cut in ½ cup of softened unsalted butter until crumbly then mix in 2 eggs and your activated yeast mixture until well combined.
Knead Until Smooth: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. This is also an excellent way to release any pent-up holiday stress!
Incorporate Dried Fruits and Zest: Gently fold in 1 cup each of mixed dried fruits and citrus zest into the kneaded dough. This step adds color and flavor that elevates your stollen game.
Let it Rise!: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size. Time for a coffee break!
Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape your risen dough into a loaf or oval shape on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
Inhale deeply as you let this mouthwatering aroma fill every corner of your home!
High Altitude Stollen is not only delicious but also brings back memories that warm your heart during this festive season. Enjoy sharing this delightful bread with friends and family as you create new traditions around the table!
You Must Know
- High Altitude Stollen is a delightful German Christmas bread that brings festive cheer
- The spices and dried fruits create an aroma that fills your kitchen, making it impossible to resist
- This recipe ensures your stollen rises beautifully, even at higher elevations
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preparing your dough first, allowing it to rise while you chop your fruits and nuts. This multitasking ensures everything comes together seamlessly for that perfect loaf.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap in different dried fruits like cherries or apricots for a unique flavor twist. You could also use various spices to personalize your stollen.
Storing & Reheating
Wrap your High Altitude Stollen tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a cool place. To enjoy later, simply reheat slices in the oven until warm and fragrant.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- Always weigh your ingredients using a scale for accuracy, especially at high altitudes
- Knead the dough thoroughly for a fluffy texture and don’t skip the second rise; it’s crucial for the best flavor and performance.</p>
- <p>Adding zest from citrus fruits can brighten up the flavors beautifully!
Sharing this recipe with friends always brings back memories of my first attempt at making stollen—it was such a hit that I’ve been cooking it every holiday season since!
FAQ
What makes High Altitude Stollen different?
High altitude affects baking; adjustments ensure proper rising and texture for delicious results.
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried?
Fresh fruit adds moisture but may alter dough consistency, so adjustments are necessary.
How long does stollen keep?
Properly stored, High Altitude Stollen can last up to two weeks at room temperature.
Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.
📖 Recipe Card
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High Altitude Stollen
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
Description
High Altitude Stollen is a festive German bread that combines the warmth of spices and the sweetness of dried fruits, creating a delightful holiday treat. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels, ensuring your stollen rises beautifully at higher elevations. Enjoy its fluffy texture and aromatic flavors with family and friends, making it a centerpiece on your holiday table.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, cherries)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 cup warm milk
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Warm the milk to lukewarm (about 110°F) and sprinkle in the yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cut in the softened butter until crumbly; mix in eggs and activated yeast mixture until well combined.
- Knead dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth.
- Fold in dried fruits and citrus zest.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm area for about an hour or until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape the risen dough into a loaf on lined baking sheets and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (50g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
