How to Slice and Enjoy Stollen: A German Christmas Tradition
Stollen, a traditional German Christmas pastry. You may know it’s meant to be eaten little by little leading up to Christmas, but the exact way to enjoy it might be less familiar. We’ve got you covered—from how to slice it beautifully to the best ways to store it!
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Discovering Stollen
Stollen is a traditional German yeast-based pastry, commonly enjoyed during the Christmas season. One of its unique features is how the flavors and texture evolve over time, as the dried fruits soaked in liqueur gradually blend into the dough.
In Germany, it is customary to eat a little bit of Stollen each day during Advent, the approximately four-week period leading up to Christmas. Let’s explore how to savor it in this traditional way.
Cut from the Center
When making the first cut, place your knife in the center rather than at the end. Press down firmly using the back of the knife with your hand. The pastry is firm but fragile, so avoid moving the knife back and forth to prevent it from crumbling.
What a beautiful cross-section! If you’re using a serrated bread knife, dried fruits and nuts may catch on the blade, so it’s best to slice slowly with a gentle back-and-forth motion.
Slice Thinly
To fully enjoy the flavor and texture, it’s best to slice Stollen thinly. Even if you feel like eating a lot, place 2 to 3 thin slices on your plate instead.
Follow the same steps as when halving it, and aim to slice it about 1 cm thick.
To prevent the slices from falling apart, support them with your opposite hand immediately after cutting.
Place the slices on a plate, and you’re done! The texture of the dried fruits and nuts, combined with the aroma of spices lingering in your nose, is simply irresistible!
Pair with Mulled Wine
For an even more authentic experience, try pairing your Stollen with mulled wine — a warm beverage made by heating wine with spices and fruit. Its spiced, grown-up flavor goes perfectly with Stollen. Let it warm your body and soul for a relaxing moment.
How to Store
If you’re not eating the whole loaf at once, it’s important to store it properly. First, press the two cut sides back together. This helps prevent the cut surfaces from drying out. (Ah! So that’s why you cut from the center!)
Once the cut surfaces are aligned, wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap. Make sure it’s fully covered!
We’ve shown how to cut from the center, but of course, feel free to slice from the end if you prefer. Just make sure to wrap it tightly to prevent the cut surface from drying out.
Once wrapped, store it at room temperature. Avoid direct sunlight and keep it in a cool place if possible.
How did you like this guide to enjoying Stollen? We hope you’ll take your time savoring it and enjoy the festive season leading up to Christmas!
Founded in 1905, this long-established bakery brand is known for its dedication to craftsmanship, handling everything with care from kneading the dough to baking. It offers a wide variety of breads daily, including French baguettes, hard-crust loaves, and sweet pastries. The brand has expanded beyond Japan, with stores also operating overseas.
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
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