Stollen is a type of sweet, fruit-filled bread that originated in Germany. It is traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season and is popular in various European countries. Stollen is often considered a festive holiday treat, and its preparation and consumption have rich cultural significance.
While stollen contains some cake-like characteristics, such as being sweet and enriched with butter and fruits, it is primarily classified as a bread due to its dough and baking process. The dough used to make stollen is yeast-based, and it typically includes ingredients like flour, sugar, butter or oil, milk, yeast, and various dried fruits (such as raisins, candied citrus peel, and almonds). After baking, stollen is usually dusted with powdered sugar for a finishing touch.
The texture of stollen is denser and more substantial than that of a typical cake, and it is typically sliced and served in a manner similar to bread. It is often enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee, especially during the holiday season.
So, in summary, stollen is a bread with cake-like characteristics, making it a delightful and unique holiday treat.