Voting rules: Choose the Stollen you think is the most popular!
By Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 21, 2024 06:51
During the festive season, Stollen - a traditional German fruit bread - becomes a much-loved treat across the country, with each bakery claiming its Stollen to be the finest. With such a variety of choices, finding the top-rated Stollen can become a challenging endeavor for any enthusiast or newcomer to this holiday delicacy. A ranked list of the most popular Stollen serves as a guide to discover which ones capture the hearts of locals and travelers alike.This list is not static; it evolves based on the opinions of those who participate. By casting your vote, you contribute to determining which Stollen stands out in terms of taste, texture, and festive appeal. This ranking offers an engaging way for everyone to contribute their experiences and preferences, which in turn helps others to make informed choices during their seasonal celebrations.
What Is the Most Popular Stollen in Germany?
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65
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Stefan Kühn·CC0
Dresden Stollen
The most famous and traditional Stollen, originally from Dresden. It is made with raisins, almonds, and a hint of rum.
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39
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Christstollen
Also known as Weihnachtsstollen, this is a typical Christmas Stollen. It is made with candied fruits, raisins, and almonds and covered with powdered sugar.
Christstollen is a traditional German fruitcake that is typically enjoyed during the Christmas season. It is characterized by its elongated shape and is often referred to as the 'Christstollen' or 'Weihnachtsstollen'. The cake is made with a yeasted dough that is enriched with butter, milk, and various dried fruits, such as raisins, candied orange peel, and lemon zest. The dough is shaped into a loaf and baked until golden brown. Once cooled, the Stollen is traditionally dusted with powdered sugar and sometimes filled with a marzipan center.
- Shape: Elongated loaf
- Dough type: Yeasted dough
- Enrichments: Butter, milk
- Dried fruits: Raisins, candied orange peel, lemon zest
- Topping: Powdered sugar
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24
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Dresdner Christstollen
A variation of the Dresden Stollen, but with more butter and less sugar. It is considered a premium quality Stollen.
Dresdner Christstollen is a traditional Christmas fruit cake originating from Dresden, Germany. It is known for its rich flavor and moist texture. The cake is typically shaped like a loaf and covered with powdered sugar, symbolizing the snowy landscape during the Christmas season. It is a highly cherished delicacy during the festive period.
- Origin: Dresden, Germany
- Shape: Loaf
- Size: Usually around 1-2 kilograms
- Ingredients: Flour, yeast, butter, sugar, almonds, raisins, candied citrus peel, rum
- Preparation Time: Several days, including resting and fermentation periods
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17
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Marzipanstollen
A Stollen made with marzipan filling, which gives it a sweet and nutty taste.
Marzipanstollen is a popular variation of the traditional German Stollen, known for its rich, sweet, and almond-flavored filling. It is made by incorporating a generous layer of marzipan, a sweet almond paste, within the dough that is then folded and baked to perfection. The marzipan filling adds an extra depth of flavor and texture to the already delicious Stollen.
- Shape: Typically oval-shaped with a rounded top.
- Size: Varies, but often around 30-40 centimeters in length.
- Dough: Made with a combination of flour, yeast, butter, sugar, and often flavored with lemon zest and rum-soaked dried fruits.
- Marzipan Filling: Generous layer of sweet almond paste that is spread within the dough before baking.
- Almonds: Topped with slivered or whole almonds, adding crunch and decoration.
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9
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Butterstollen
A Stollen made with lots of butter and raisins, which gives it a rich flavor.
Butterstollen is a traditional German Stollen, known for its rich buttery flavor and tender texture. It is a sweet yeast bread that is filled with a delightful combination of butter, sugar, dried fruits, nuts, and various spices. The Butterstollen is usually baked during the Christmas season and enjoyed as a festive treat.
- Origin: Germany
- Flavor: Rich and buttery
- Texture: Tender and moist
- Ingredients: Butter, sugar, dried fruits, nuts, and spices
- Season: Christmas
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12
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Mohnstollen
A Stollen made with poppy seeds, which gives it a unique taste and texture.
Mohnstollen is a traditional German pastry that originated in the region of Saxony. It is a variation of the popular Christmas Stollen, but with a unique twist of poppy seeds. The Mohnstollen is typically enjoyed during the Advent season and is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
- Shape: Typically loaf-shaped
- Size: Varies, but usually around 1-2 pounds
- Texture: Soft and tender
- Ingredients: Mainly flour, butter, sugar, yeast, milk, poppy seeds, and dried fruits
- Flavor: Rich and nutty, with a hint of citrus and spice
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13
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Mandelstollen
A Stollen made with almonds, which gives it a nutty flavor.
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12
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Nussstollen
A Stollen made with nuts, usually walnuts, which gives it a crunchy texture.
Nussstollen is a popular variation of the traditional German Stollen, typically enjoyed during the Christmas season. It is known for its rich dough filled with a delicious blend of nuts, dried fruits, and spices. The Nussstollen is often topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, adding a hint of sweetness to every bite.
- Storage: It can be stored for several weeks when wrapped tightly and kept in a cool, dry place.
- Ingredients: Nuts (such as almonds or hazelnuts), dried fruits (raisins, candied orange peel, or cherries), spices (such as cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves), butter, sugar, flour, yeast, milk, and powdered sugar (for dusting).
- Shape: Nussstollen is typically shaped into a long loaf form, resembling a thick log or a rolled-up cylinder.
- Texture: It has a soft, moist, and tender crumb due to the rich ingredients and baking process.
- Taste: Nussstollen offers a delightful combination of flavors, with the sweetness of the dried fruits and powdered sugar complementing the nuttiness and warmth of the spices.
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5
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Schoko-Stollen
A Stollen made with chocolate, which gives it a sweet and rich taste.
Schoko-Stollen is a popular variant of the traditional German Stollen. It is a rich, moist and indulgent cake that combines the flavors of the original Stollen with the addition of chocolate. The cake is typically made with a buttery dough infused with cocoa powder, and is then filled with a mixture of chocolate chunks, nuts, and dried fruits such as raisins and candied orange peel. The final touch is a dusting of powdered sugar on top.
- Texture: Moist and dense
- Flavor: Rich chocolate with hints of fruit and nuts
- Ingredients: Butter, flour, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chunks, nuts, raisins, candied orange peel
- Shape: Typically oval or log-shaped
- Size: Varies, ranging from individual servings to larger loaves
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2
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Quarkstollen
A Stollen made with quark cheese, which gives it a creamy texture and a slightly sour taste.
Quarkstollen is a traditional German Christmas bread that is a variation of the popular Stollen. It is made with a dough enriched with quark, a creamy and tangy fresh cheese. This cheese not only adds a unique flavor but also helps to keep the Stollen moist and tender. Quarkstollen is typically filled with a mixture of dried fruits, such as raisins, candied citrus peel, and chopped almonds. The bread is then beautifully shaped into a loaf or a wreath and baked until golden brown. It is commonly dusted with powdered sugar before serving.
- Ingredients: flour, butter, quark, sugar, yeast, raisins, candied citrus peel, almonds
- Flavor: creamy, tangy, sweet
- Texture: moist, tender
- Shape: loaf or wreath
- Baking time: approximately 60-70 minutes
Missing your favorite Stollen?
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Ranking factors for popular Stollen
Taste
Stollen should have a rich, buttery flavor with a balance of sweetness and spice.
Texture
A good Stollen should be dense, moist, and have a texture that is both soft and crumbly.
Fruit and nut content
The amount and quality of dried or candied fruit and nuts, such as raisins, currants, almonds, and candied citrus peel, contribute to the overall taste and texture of the Stollen.
Brand reputation
Established brands with a good reputation for producing quality Stollen will generally be more popular among consumers.
Tradition
Many people in Germany prefer Stollen that is steeped in tradition, with a recipe that has been passed down through generations, or made with locally sourced ingredients.
Seasonality
Stollen is traditionally associated with Christmas in Germany and therefore, the time of the year in which it is available can also impact its popularity.
