My children and I love Stollen bread at Christmas time. This is a sweet bread like Challah and also contains candied fruits, raisins,nuts and citrus zest. It is a wonderful treat to enjoy. This bread originated in Germany going by many name variations: Stollen, Dresden Stollen, Strutzel, Striezel, Stutenbrot, Christstollen or Zemmel. We look forward to enjoying this bread on Christmas Eve and toasted with butter on Christmas morning. Their German Grandmother would make this bread every Christmas for the family.

My youngest daughter’s Mother-in-law, Joan Weller of North Plains, Oregon taught her to make the Stollen version that has icing on top. Some other versions might dust the top of the loaf with powdered sugar. Each version is delicious.

We had a fun time together converting the recipe and making it in the bread machine. Please give this Christmas Dresden Stollen bread machine version a try, as it is so easy to make and so delicious!