Name: Irresistible Stollen Bites Recipe in Just 15 Minutes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 375 g plain flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda; 100 g unsalted butter cold and cubed; 75 g caster sugar; 175 g marzipan grated; 100 g dried fruit; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; Zest of 1 lemon; Juice of 1 lemon; 1 medium egg; 150 g quark; 1 tsp almond extract; 50 g unsalted butter melted for dusting; 100-200 g icing sugar for dusting

Jump to Recipe

Okay, so you know how much I LOVE Christmas baking, right? Well, these Stollen Bites are my new obsession! They’re like little nuggets of German Christmas magic, and seriously, they’re way easier than making a whole stollen. Plus, they’re absolutely PACKED with all that good stuff – dried fruit, marzipan, the works! I’ve been tweaking this recipe for years, and trust me, this version is a winner. Get ready to impress everyone with these little gems!

Why You’ll Love These Stollen Bites

Seriously, you NEED these in your life. Why? Let me tell you!

Quick and Easy Stollen Bites

Forget spending hours in the kitchen! These come together in a snap. I’m talking minimal effort for maximum festive flavor. What’s not to love?

Flavorful Holiday Treat: Stollen Bites

The taste? Oh my goodness! The spices, the fruit, the marzipan… it’s like Christmas exploded in your mouth. (In a good way, I promise!)

Perfect for Sharing: Stollen Bites

Need a last-minute gift? Hosting a holiday party? These little Stollen Bites are your answer. They’re adorable, delicious, and everyone will rave about them!

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Ingredients for Your Stollen Bites

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Don’t be scared by the list – it’s all pretty straightforward. You’ll need 375g of plain flour (that’s just regular all-purpose, folks!), a teaspoon of baking powder, and half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Then grab 100g of cold, cubed, unsalted butter – seriously, COLD is key here! We’re also using 75g of caster sugar (that’s the super fine stuff), 175g of grated marzipan (yum!), and 100g of your favorite dried fruit mix.

For spice, we’re adding half a teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and ground ginger, plus the zest and juice of one lemon to brighten things up. Don’t forget one medium egg, 150g of quark (it adds a lovely tang, but cream cheese works in a pinch!), and a teaspoon of almond extract for that classic stollen flavor. Finally, you’ll need 50g of melted unsalted butter for brushing on top and 100-200g of icing sugar for a generous dusting. Phew! Got it all? Let’s get baking!

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How to Make Stollen Bites: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, ready to get baking? Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it! First things first, preheat your oven to 220 degrees Celsius (that’s 200 degrees Celsius if you’re using a fan oven) and line two large baking trays with parchment paper. Trust me, you don’t want these sticking!

Preparing the Dough for Stollen Bites

Now, grab a big bowl and throw in your 375g of plain flour, that teaspoon of baking powder, and half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. Then, add the 100g of cold, cubed butter. The key here is to rub it all together with your fingers until it looks like breadcrumbs. Next, mix in the 75g of caster sugar, 175g of grated marzipan, 100g of dried fruit, the lemon zest, and those spices.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, quark, lemon juice, and almond extract. Pour this into the dry ingredients and mix it all together with a fork, spatula, or even your hands (go on, get messy!) until you have a nice, sticky dough. Don’t worry if it seems a little wet – that’s how it should be!

Shaping and Baking Your Stollen Bites

Time to make some bites! Use a 5cm scoop or a couple of tablespoons to portion out the dough onto your baking trays. Lightly roll each portion into a ball with your hands – they don’t have to be perfect. Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, until they’re golden brown. Keep an eye on them, though – ovens can be tricky!

Finishing Touches: Butter and Icing Sugar for Stollen Bites

As soon as those Stollen Bites come out of the oven, brush them with that 50g of melted butter. Then, while they’re still warm, dust them generously with icing sugar – I’m talking a serious snowfall! Let them cool slightly, and then dust with even MORE icing sugar if you’re feeling extra festive. And that’s it! You’ve made delicious Stollen Bites!

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Tips for Perfect Stollen Bites

Want to make *amazing* Stollen Bites every time? Here are my top tips!

Stollen Bites: Ingredient Quality Matters

Seriously, don’t skimp on the ingredients! Good quality butter, fresh spices, and tasty dried fruit will make all the difference. Trust me, you can taste the difference! It’s worth spending a little extra for the best flavor.

Stollen Bites: Don’t Overbake

This is a big one! Overbaked Stollen Bites are dry and sad. Keep a close eye on them in the oven, and take them out as soon as they’re golden brown. They’ll continue to cook a bit as they cool, so it’s better to underbake them slightly than to overbake them.

Stollen Bites: Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Okay, so maybe you’re missing an ingredient, or maybe you just don’t *love* something. No problem! Here are a few swaps you can make to these Stollen Bites.

Dried Fruit Variations for Stollen Bites

Not a fan of raisins? No worries! You can use any dried fruit you like in these. I personally love using dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or even some candied peel for a little extra zing. Just make sure they’re roughly chopped so they distribute evenly throughout the dough.

Marzipan Alternatives in Stollen Bites

Okay, I know marzipan can be a bit… divisive. If you’re not a fan, you can totally leave it out! Or, if you want a similar almondy flavor, try adding a little extra almond extract to the dough. You could also use a bit of almond paste instead, just make sure to mash it up really well before adding it in. It won’t be quite the same, but it’ll still be delicious!

Storing and Reheating Your Stollen Bites

So, you’ve got a batch of these delicious Stollen Bites… if you haven’t eaten them all already, that is! Here’s how to keep them fresh and tasty.

How to Store Stollen Bites

The best way to store these is in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay nice and soft for up to a week – perfect for snacking on whenever the craving hits!

Freezing Stollen Bites for Later

Want to keep them longer? No problem! Just pop them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze them for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat them, just let them thaw at room temperature. A quick zap in the microwave will warm them up perfectly!

FAQ About Making Stollen Bites

Got questions about making these little beauties? I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get asked about my Stollen Bites recipe.

Can I use different dried fruits in my Stollen Bites?

Absolutely! Get creative! I love using a mix of raisins, cranberries, and chopped apricots. Just make sure to keep the total amount of dried fruit roughly the same, so the dough consistency stays right. Have fun with it!

How long do Stollen Bites last?

Stored properly, these Stollen Bites will last for about a week at room temperature. Just keep them in an airtight container to keep them from drying out. But let’s be real, they’ll probably be gone way before then!

Can I make Stollen Bites ahead of time?

Yep! You can totally make the dough a day or two in advance and store it in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. This is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Stollen Bites

Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutrition info. Here’s a rough idea of what you’re looking at, but keep in mind it’s just an estimate! One of these Stollen Bites has around 150 calories, 8g of fat, 2g of protein, and 20g of carbs. There’s also about 15g of sugar. Obviously, these numbers can change depending on the exact ingredients you use, but that should give you a general idea. Hey, it’s Christmas – a little indulgence is totally okay!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Stollen Bites

Alright, so you’re probably wondering about the nutritional info for these little guys, right? Well, here’s the deal: it’s tricky to be *exact*, but I can give you a pretty good estimate. We’re looking at roughly 150 calories per bite. There’s also around 8 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and about 20 grams of carbohydrates. And yeah, there’s about 15 grams of sugar in each one, too. But hey, it’s a treat! Just remember, these are *estimates* – it all depends on the exact brands and amounts you use. Enjoy!

Enjoy Your Homemade Stollen Bites!

So, what are you waiting for? Get baking! And don’t forget to show me your creations – tag me in your photos! I can’t wait to see your Stollen Bites masterpieces!