Christmas Stollen Bread has roots dating back all the way to 14th century Germany, where they made regular appearances at holiday festivals and fairs! You can see why this baked good (or baked great) has continued to be a beloved Christmastime tradition ever since! Tender, buttery bread with notes of tangy cream is filled with crunchy nuts, sweet and spicy candied ginger, and tart dried cranberries to make for a magical dessert bread indeed! You can taste the cheer in each and every slice of this Christmas Stollen Bread!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 5 ounces cream cheese
- salt, to taste
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 tablespoons almonds, chopped
- 2 1/3 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
- 3 1/3 tablespoons candied ginger, chopped
- 4 tablespoons dried cranberries
- powdered sugar, optional, to taste, for dusting
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3 –In a bowl add the butter and the sugar, and using an electric hand mixer, beat them together until creamed and pale.
Step 4 –Add the egg, the cream cheese, the salt, and the vanilla to the butter mixture and beat until smooth.
Step 5 –In a separate bowl, add the flour and the baking powder and whisk until combined.
Step 6 –Add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients mixture and mix until a thick batter forms.
Step 7 –Fold the almonds, the walnuts, the candied ginger, and the dried cranberries into the batter.
Step 8 –With wet hands, place the batter onto the prepared baking sheet and form the batter into a log.
Step 9 –Bake until cooked through, about 40 minutes.
Step 10 –Let the bread cool until warm but safe to handle.
Step 11 –Serve dusted with the powdered sugar.
