Are you ready to take a culinary journey to Germany this holiday season without leaving the comfort of your own kitchen? Look no further than this vegan German Stollen recipe. This traditional German Christmas fruit bread is a must-have during the holidays and it’s perfect for those following a plant-based lifestyle. As a vegan chef, I understand the importance of creating delicious dishes that align with our values and this recipe does exactly that. The warm spices, dried fruits, and marzipan filling make for a flavorful and indulgent treat. Trust me when I say that your taste buds will thank you after taking a bite of this stollen! So let’s grab our baking supplies and get started on this festive recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Holy Stollen! This Vegan German Stollen recipe will change your life. You’ll love it for its rich, fruity, and nutty flavors; perfect texture; and versatile nature. It’s a festive fruit bread that can be shared with friends and family as part of a holiday tradition or indulged in as an anytime treat. Here are a few reasons why:

Firstly, this recipe is entirely vegan, meaning it’s good for your health, the environment, and animal welfare. Unlike some traditional Christmas cakes and bread, which have eggs, butter or milk in them, our recipe uses soy milk and vegan margarine. It is also free from gluten-free-friendly.

Secondly, this vegan stollen is easy to make at home if you follow our recipe steps carefully. Don’t let the ingredient list intimidate you! All you’ll need is simple pantry staples like flour, yeast, sugar, candied orange peel, lemon peel and raisins mixed with ground cloves and nutmeg to unleash the holiday spirit.

Finally (and most importantly), this stollen tastes absolutely divine! Its marzipan filling adds a rich almond flavor while currants add moisture and depth to every bite. The icing sugar dusting adds an extra sweetness to the mix that makes it that much more legit.

Give this Vegan German Stollen Recipe created by Bianca Zapatka a try this holiday season and experience the joy of baking for yourself! Make it for your family or wrap it up as a gift for your friends – either way – one slice won’t be enough!

Ingredient List

A slice of heaven: Delicious vegan German stollen

Let’s dive into the ingredients that make up this scrumptious vegan German stollen. To whip up this classic treat, you’ll need the following:

Dry Ingredients:

500 g (4 cups) Whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (100 g) Light brown sugar
1 tsp Salt
7 g (2 1/4 tsp) Dry yeast
1 tsp Ground cloves
1 tsp Ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup (175 ml) Soymilk
50 g Fresh yeast or 3 1/2 tsp (ish) dried yeast
250 g Vegan margarine or 1 cup (2 sticks) olive oil
1 tbsp Vanilla extract
Juice of one orange
Zest of one lemon
Zest of one orange

Dried Fruits:

100 g (3.5 oz) Currants
100 g (3.5 oz) Raisins
100 g (3.5 oz) Candied orange peel
100 g (3.5 oz) Candied lemon peel

Marzipan Filling:

200 g Marzipan
100g ground almonds
Icing sugar for dusting

Note that some of these ingredients can easily be substituted to better suit your dietary needs and preferences – I’ll cover some appropriate substitutions later on in the article. However, try to stick to the list as closely as possible as each ingredient plays a vital role in creating a perfect balance of flavor and texture.

The Recipe How-To

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to bring your German Stollen to life! Don’t worry, this isn’t a difficult recipe to follow. With a little bit of patience and effort, you will soon have your delicious vegan Christmas Stollen.

Step 1: Prepping the Dough

Start by preparing the dough. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dried yeast, soymilk, and sugar. Mix them gently with a spoon until the yeast is thoroughly mixed in. Then leave the mixture aside for about 10 minutes to activate.

Step 2: Kneading the Dough

In another large mixing bowl, combine together the flour, salt, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. Whisk them together until they’re evenly mixed.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add in your yeast mixture. Begin to mix everything with a wooden spoon or spatula until it starts to come together. Once it does, transfer it to a floured surface and continue kneading until it forms into a smooth ball.

This will take approximately 10 minutes, so don’t rush it! When the dough has become elastic and pliable after kneading, place it in an oiled bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Leave this in a warm place for 1-2 hours until the dough doubles in size.

Step 3: Adding The Fruits And Marzipan

Once the dough has doubled in size, it’s time to prepare your stollen filling! Mix dried fruit, candied lemon peel, candied orange peel, and marzipan in a separate bowl.

Take out the risen dough on a floured surface and roll it out into an oval shape using a rolling pin. Spread some vegan margarine on all corners of the dough then sprinkle some ground almonds on top of one side of the rectangle

Next step is placing your fruit mixture over half of your rolled-out dough.

Step 4: Shaping Your Stollen

Before you start shaping your stollen roll, preheat your oven to 160°C (fan) / 320°F (conventional). Fold over one half of your rolled-out dough without filling onto other half containing fruit mixture.

With lightly floured hands, shape it into an oval ball with tapered edges at both ends – this classic shape is inspired by baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Flip stollen carefully onto baking tray lined with parchment paper. This can also be done by folding wired cooling rack in half serve as support when flipping onto baking sheet.

Step 5: Final Touches Before Baking

Bake for around 45 minutes or until golden brown. While still warm brush melted vegan margarine over top before dusting liberally with icing sugar! Again let cool before serving!

That’s it – you now have made yourself an authentic Vegan

Substitutions and Variations

This vegan stollen recipe is already a perfect treat for the holidays, but you can still switch up some ingredients to customize it to your taste. Here are a few substitutions and variations to try:

– Flour: Instead of whole wheat flour, you can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour if you have dietary restrictions.

– Fruit: Mix up the dried fruits by adding cherries, cranberries, or apricots. You can also adjust the ratio of currants and raisins to your preference.

– Sweetener: If you don’t have light brown sugar, you can use regular granulated sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup.

– Margarine: Swap out vegan margarine with coconut oil or refined coconut oil for a healthier option.

– Spice it up: Adjust the spices by adding more ground cloves and nutmeg. You can also sprinkle a little cinnamon on top before serving for an extra kick.

– Filling: Instead of marzipan filling, you can try almond paste or hazelnut spread. Alternatively, leave out the filling altogether and enjoy the fruit bread on its own.

Remember that these substitutions may affect the texture and flavor of the stollen. Try small batches first to ensure best results. Whichever variation you choose, this recipe will always be a hit at any holiday gathering!

Serving and Pairing

There are various scrumptious ways to serve and enjoy our vegan German Stollen recipe. Here are some great options:

First, you can simply slice it up and serve as is. It’s that delicious! I recommend serving it warm with a dusting of icing sugar on top. This will enhance the flavors and create a beautiful presentation.

Second, you can pair it with sweet and savory toppings to create something special. For example, you can slather it with vegan butter, jam or cream cheese to create a sweet and creamy flavor. Alternatively, you can pair it with some vegan salted cheese or avocado slices for a savory spin.

Third, you can use this stollen as a perfect snack for any holiday party or potluck. Simply slice the stollen into small bite-sized pieces and place them on a platter along with some other delicious finger foods.

Fourth, it can also be toasted in the oven for an extra crunchiness and deeper flavors. After slicing, pop the pieces in the oven at 350F for about five minutes until they are slightly browned on top.

Finally, consider serving it as part of a larger breakfast spread. Our vegan German Stollen pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, coffee, and tea in the morning.

Regardless of how you choose to serve our vegan German Stollen, your taste buds will thank you for the delectable flavor notes in each bite!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

A traditional recipe with a plant-based twist

Vegan Stollen is an ideal treat to make ahead of time as it can last for weeks when stored properly. To do so, wrap tightly the stollen in plastic and store in a cool, dry place up to two weeks, allowing the flavor to amplify.

Moreover, you can extend its life by freezing your vegan Stollen for up to 6 months. Double-wrap it in plastic and then seal it in an airtight container before freezing.

If you have leftover Stollen that needs reheating, wrap it in aluminum foil and warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or microwave them for about 15-20 seconds per slice if you’re short on time.

As the stollen sits, it will become more flavorful and delicious as fruity flavors meld together. For added sweetness, sprinkle some icing sugar while still warm before serving.

By following these storing instructions and reheating methods, you will get the same quality stollen as freshly baked ones even days after making them!

Tips for Perfect Results

Getting in the holiday spirit with a vegan stollen

Want to ensure that your vegan German Stollen turns out perfectly? Here are some tips and recommendations to take into consideration:

1. Measure ingredients accurately: baking is a science, so it’s important to measure your ingredients carefully. Use a kitchen scale for the best results.

2. Use fresh yeast: using fresh yeast will give your stollen a better rise and result in a lighter texture. Check the expiration date on your yeast and store it in the fridge.

3. Add dried fruit: use a mix of dried fruits such as currants, raisins, candied orange peel, and candied lemon peel for a traditional German flavor. Soak them in orange juice in advance to keep them juicy.

4. Make sure the marzipan is evenly distributed: take care when rolling out and placing the marzipan filling in the middle of the dough, as uneven distribution can cause your stollen to bake unevenly.

5. Rest the dough: let the dough rest both before and after shaping to allow it to fully rise and develop flavor.

6. Don’t overbake: Stollen is best when it’s still moist on the inside, so don’t be tempted to bake it for too long. Keep an eye on it during baking and adjust cooking time if necessary.

7. Let stollen cool before dusting with icing sugar: The icing sugar will melt if you dust it onto hot stollen. Wait until your stollen is completely cooled before dusting with icing sugar for an aesthetically pleasing look

With these tips, you’ll have a delicious and heavenly smelling Healthy Vegan German Stollen perfect for holiday seasons!

FAQ

Now that we have taken you through all the steps of making a delicious vegan German Stollen, it’s time for some frequently asked questions. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, these FAQs will surely help you understand the recipe better and make the entire process quite effortless.

Why is stollen so expensive?

Stollen, a traditional German cake, has a long history that dates back to the 15th century. Originating from Dresden, Stollen was initially considered a luxury item due to the costly imported ingredients used to make it. The cake became a prestigious treat often reserved for the nobility and was sold at high prices during holiday fairs. Christmas was the peak season for Stollen, and it was baked to honor the wealthy and commemorate the festivities.

Is Aldi stollen Vegan?

Explore a range of vegan-friendly items at Aldi, from delectable stollen and mince pies to satisfying gnocchi and chocolate treats. You can also indulge in some delicious malt loaf and jelly options, all suitable for a vegan diet.

Why is Stollen bread so expensive?

Creating Stollen is a delicate and intricate process that requires the use of high-quality ingredients such as almonds, nuts, raisins, and imported items like orange peel, rose essence, and rum. Due to its historical roots as a Christmas loaf, bakers would mold the dough to resemble a swaddled baby to honor the Christ Child. The process of making Stollen is a true labor of love and requires patience and skill.

What is the difference between stollen and panettone?

Panettone and stollen are both festive breads with different but delicious flavors. While Panettone contains candied orange peel and raisins, traditional stollen has candied lemon peel and dried cherries in addition to a layer of marzipan, which adds to their unique texture. The added milk and flour also contribute to the compact shape of stollen and the loftier shape of panettone.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, this vegan German Stollen recipe is the perfect addition to your holiday baking routine. It is a classic fruit bread that is rich in flavor and has a festive appeal, making it the perfect treat to indulge in around Christmas time. With its marzipan filling, candied citrus peel and dried fruit, it offers a satisfying balance of sweetness and acidity that will leave your taste buds feeling satisfied.

Furthermore, this vegan Stollen recipe is easy to follow and can be customized to individual preferences with simple substitutions or variations. Plus, it is ideal for making ahead and storing, which makes it a convenient choice for busy holiday schedules.

So whether you are looking for a healthier and more ethical version of traditional German Christmas cake or simply enjoy experimenting with new recipes, this Vegan German Stollen Recipe has everything you need to impress your friends and family this holiday season. So don’t hesitate, grab your apron and start baking right away!

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Jolo

Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.

Vegan German Stollen Recipe – A Festive Delight!