Indulge in the festive flavors of Germany with this traditional Christmas treat, the Poppy Seed Stollen. This sweet bread is filled with a rich poppy seed filling and coated with powdered sugar for a decadent finish. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a homemade gift.
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm milk
- 2 packets of active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar for dusting
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tbsp of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, remaining sugar, melted butter, eggs, poppy seeds, raisins, almonds, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and knead until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Let it cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Slice and enjoy this delicious Poppy Seed Stollen!
Interesting Facts
Stollen is a traditional German Christmas bread that symbolizes the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Poppy seeds are a common ingredient in German baking, adding a unique nutty flavor to desserts.