The Kerststol is a traditional bread made with dried fruits, raisins and/or currants, orange zest, water, milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
To this dough, sometimes ginger, dehydrated cherries and cranberries, apple, kiwi, or cardamom can be added.
After rising, the dough is filled with almond paste (amandelspijs) placed in the center in a cylindrical shape.
When ready, the Kerststol is dusted with powdered sugar before being served in thick slices.
Live on my TikTok channel, in collaboration with colleague food blogger Debora, from In cucina con zia Debby, we made the recipe together.
It can be considered the Dutch version of the German:
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Medium
- Rest time: 4 Hours
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 6 People
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: European
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 0.88 oz fresh yeast
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup butter (+ for brushing)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 cup raisins
- to taste ground cinnamon
- to taste vanilla
- to taste orange zest
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- to taste powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup blanched almonds
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 lemon
Steps
Dissolve the yeast in the milk, add it to the flour, then add an egg, the sugar, the salt, the butter in pieces, the water, the orange zest, the vanilla, and the cinnamon.
Knead.
Add the raisins and chopped walnuts.
Form a ball and let rise for 30 minutes.
For the almond paste: chop the almonds, add them to the syrup made of water and sugar, and with the lemon juice. Form a loaf and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Roll out the Kerststol dough and form a 8×10 inch rectangle.
Shape the almond paste into a long cylinder and place it in the center. Fold over like a half-moon. Flatten the sides.
Brush with beaten egg and let rest for 30 minutes.
Bake in the oven at 392°F for 35 minutes.
Brush with melted butter and when cold, decorate with powdered sugar.
Gluten-Free Version
For the gluten-free version, you can use 260 grams of rice flour and 30 grams of starch and if you prefer 250 ml of gluten-free sourdough.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Is it possible to use ready-made almond paste for the Kerststol?
Yes, you can buy it ready-made and shape it into a long cylinder.
