Braided Stollen

Folded Stollen

 Stollen is a centuries old German bread rich with eggs milk and butter and usually only slightly sweet.  

The recipe varies but it almost always is shaped in a tapered oval.

At Christmas time they make Christstollen which is filled with raisins, currants, nuts and candied fruit that has been soaked in rum or brandy.

Legend has it that bakers did this to represent the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. Sometimes there is a ridge down the center to accentuate the body.

Other times it is braided with 3 braids that represent the trinity.

The most famous Stollen comes from Dresden, Germany.

Check out this  Stollen  recipe, and more on German American Culture at

Recipes from a German Grandma.

Brought to you by the

Kitchen Project