The Most Popular Stollen in Germany, Ranked

Choose the Stollen you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 06:50
During the festive season in Germany, Stollen becomes a centerpiece in many households, embodying the spirit and flavors of the holidays. Each year, connoisseurs and casual fans alike debate which bakery or region produces the best version of this beloved Christmas cake. Given the diverse opinions and the sheer number of variations, having a system to rank them can resolve debates and introduce newcomers to the best options available. Ranking these festive treats helps everyone from local residents to tourists make informed decisions while diving into Germany’s rich culinary heritage. By participating in this ranking, voters contribute their experiences and preferences, shaping a community-guided list that highlights the top Stollen. This not only celebrates the culinary artistry behind these creations but also guides those new to this holiday tradition.

What Is the Most Popular Stollen in Germany?

  1. 1
    65
    votes
    Dresden Stollen
    Stefan Kühn · CC0
    The most famous and traditional Stollen, originally from Dresden. It is made with raisins, almonds, and a hint of rum.
  2. 2
    39
    votes
    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
  3. 3
    24
    votes
    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
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    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.
  5. 5
    9
    votes
    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
  6. 6
    12
    votes
    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
  7. 7
    13
    votes
    A Stollen made with almonds, which gives it a nutty flavor.
  8. 8
    12
    votes
    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.
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    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
  10. 10
    2
    votes
    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?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular Stollen

  1. Taste
    Stollen should have a rich, buttery flavor with a balance of sweetness and spice.
  2. Texture
    A good Stollen should be dense, moist, and have a texture that is both soft and crumbly.
  3. 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.
  4. Brand reputation
    Established brands with a good reputation for producing quality Stollen will generally be more popular among consumers.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Stollen in Germany. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Stollen is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2687 views
  • 196 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Stollen once every 24 hours. The rank of each Stollen is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular stollen in germany

Stollen, a traditional German Christmas bread, has been a beloved holiday treat for centuries. The history of Stollen dates back to the 15th century in Dresden, where it was originally called Striezel. Today, there are many variations of Stollen, but the most popular is the Dresdner Stollen, which is made with raisins, candied fruit, and marzipan. The Stollen is typically dusted with powdered sugar and served during the Christmas season, often accompanied by hot mulled wine. German bakeries take great pride in their Stollen, and there is even a Stollen festival held annually in Dresden to celebrate this beloved holiday tradition. With so many different types of Stollen available, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular in Germany. Fortunately, StrawPoll has consulted with experts and conducted polls to determine the most beloved Stollen among Germans.

Share this article