Description
This Easy Gluten Free Christmas Stollen is a festive and flavorful holiday bread made with a blend of gluten-free flours, aromatic spices, mixed dried fruits, nuts, and a hint of orange zest. It’s perfectly moist, lightly spiced, and dusted with powdered sugar for a delightful finish, making it an ideal treat to enjoy during the Christmas season or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Add-ins
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, and chopped dried apricots)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts)
- 1/4 cup orange zest
Finishing
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Cream Butter and Sugar, Add Eggs and Flavorings: In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air for a tender crumb. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully integrate them. Stir in the vanilla extract and milk to combine the wet ingredients.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can affect texture. Fold in the mixed dried fruit, chopped nuts, and orange zest to evenly distribute the flavorful add-ins throughout the dough.
- Shape the Dough: Transfer the dough onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a loaf approximately 1 inch thick. This shaping helps it bake evenly and gives it the classic stollen appearance.
- Bake the Stollen: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it’s fully cooked.
- Cool: Remove the stollen from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes to firm up a bit before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step helps maintain structure and prevents sogginess.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar and Serve: Once the stollen is completely cooled, dust the top generously with powdered sugar to add a sweet finishing touch and a beautiful festive look. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum included for best texture.
- Milk can be substituted with any non-dairy milk such as almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For extra flavor, brush the top of the baked stollen with melted butter before dusting with powdered sugar.
- You can customize the dried fruit and nuts based on your preference or what you have on hand.
