Print Recipe

Mutti's Christmas Stollen Recipe – Quarkstollen

Mutti's easy Christmas Stollen recipe is great way to get in touch with your German Christmas roots, especially when you're in a hurry. No yeast is used and it tastes so-o-o-o good! It's a yummy fruit loaf that could easily be served throughout the year. But, somehow, I keep it just for Christmas. That way, it really is a special treat that makes the Christmas celebration that much more special.

Servings:

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients:

• 3⅓ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 cups full-fat cottage cheese, puréed in a blender
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon peel, grated
• 1 tablespoon almonds, chopped
• 1 tablespoon raisins
• 3 tablespoons mixed candied fruit, chopped
• 3 tablespoons mixed candied peel, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Grease and flour a baking sheet or use a silicone baking mat. 
3. Mix the flour with the baking powder and sift the mixture into a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center.
4. Add the cottage cheese, eggs, vanilla, sugar, salt, lemon peel, almonds, raisins, and candied fruits and peels into the indentation.
5. Mix to a firm dough with your hands and knead LIGHTLY. If it is too moist, add a bit of extra flour.
6. On a lightly floured surface, form the dough into an oval shape. Press dough down on one side (lengthwise) to give it its traditional shape. Wet your hands to keep the dough from sticking. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake 50 to 60 minutes until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Transfer your baked Stollen to a wire rack. (Place a sheet of parchment paper underneath the rack for easy cleanup.)
9. Brush the melted butter over the warm loaf and sift the powdered sugar over it.
10. Let cool and serve.

Hints:

• Use Quark or full-fat Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese.
• You can use orange peel instead of the lemon peel.
• You can add more raisins or nuts, etc. if you wish. I've increased them to about ⅓ cup each.
• Add in some almond extract for more almond flavor.
• You can substitute ground almonds for chopped almonds.
• Make another German Christmas cake recipe that uses Greek yogurt and is filled with marzipan. You'll find the recipe for it here.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

12.31.2023 revision update