If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that captures the spirit of the season but in a fun, handheld form, this Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine the moist, warmly spiced flavors of traditional Stollen transformed into golden muffins bursting with juicy dried fruit and a touch of nutty almond, all topped with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar. These muffins bring all the holiday cheer to your kitchen with a fraction of the fuss and a whole lot of joy in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the perfect Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe starts with simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a special role, from the fluffy texture to the festive flavors and the lovely golden color.
- All-purpose flour (1 ¾ cups): The perfect base for light, tender muffins that rise just right.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Balances the tartness of the dried fruit with a gentle sweetness.
- Baking powder (2 teaspoons): Ensures your muffins are fluffy and perfectly risen.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and brings depth.
- Ground cinnamon (½ teaspoon): Adds that warm, cozy holiday spice note.
- Ground nutmeg (¼ teaspoon): Complements cinnamon with its slightly sweet and nutty aroma.
- Orange zest (1 teaspoon): Gives a fresh, citrusy brightness to balance the richness.
- Mixed dried fruit (1 cup): Chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins—these burst with festive flavor and texture.
- Slivered almonds (⅓ cup, optional): Adds a delicate crunch and nutty richness that’s totally worth it.
- Eggs (2 large): Bind everything together while keeping the muffins moist.
- Milk (¾ cup): Contributes to the tender crumb and soft texture.
- Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted): Brings richness and that buttery aroma we all love.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds subtle sweetness and warmth to marry all flavors.
- Almond extract (½ teaspoon): Boosts the nutty undertones, bringing a lovely festive twist.
- Powdered sugar (for dusting): Creates a beautiful, snowy finish that’s pure holiday magic.
How to Make Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prepare your oven and muffin tin
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is key to getting your muffins perfectly baked—warm ovens mean beautiful rise and golden edges. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or give it a good spray of non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest until they’re fully combined and aromatic. Folding in the mixed dried fruit and almonds at this stage ensures those pockets of sweetness are evenly distributed throughout every muffin.
Step 3: Combine wet ingredients
In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. Add in the milk, melted butter, vanilla, and almond extract. Whisk until everything is beautifully blended, which helps your batter come together easily and smoothly.
Step 4: Blend wet and dry mixtures carefully
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry bowl. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Remember, a few lumps are totally fine—overmixing can make your muffins tough instead of tender, and that’s not what Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe is about!
Step 5: Fill the muffin cups and bake
Divide your batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full for the perfect rise. Slide the tin into your preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. They’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and dust with powdered sugar
Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, dust them generously with powdered sugar—it looks like freshly fallen snow and adds a final sweet touch that completes the festive feel.
How to Serve Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
While the powdered sugar dusting is a classic garnish, you can elevate these muffins with slivered almonds pressed gently on top right after baking, or a delicate drizzle of honey or orange glaze for extra shine and zing. Fresh rosemary sprigs or a few candied orange slices make charming holiday decorations that also add a fragrant touch.
Side Dishes
These muffins stand well on their own as a festive treat, but pairing them with a dollop of whipped cream, a spread of creamy butter, or even a smear of rich cream cheese can turn snack time into an indulgent experience. They also complement a warm cup of spiced tea, mulled wine, or hot chocolate beautifully during cozy holiday mornings or gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a memorable holiday brunch, arrange your Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh cranberries, whole almonds, and cinnamon sticks. Wrapping each muffin in festive parchment or tying a small ribbon around a muffin liner adds a thoughtful, gift-like touch that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Your Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe will stay moist and delicious stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To keep them fresh longer, avoid refrigeration as it can dry them out.
Freezing
Make a double batch and freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
Reheating
Bring your muffins back to life by warming them in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 8 to 10 minutes. This restores their tender crumb and buttered aroma, making them feel freshly baked all over again.
FAQs
Can I use other dried fruits for this muffins?
Absolutely! The recipe is quite flexible—try dried cherries, figs, or even chopped dates for a different twist. Just make sure to chop larger fruits into smaller pieces so they mix well throughout the batter.
Do I have to use almond extract?
Almond extract adds a lovely festive nutty note true to traditional Stollen flavors. If you don’t have it or prefer to skip it, vanilla alone will still make delicious muffins.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, but look for one that includes xanthan gum or another binder to keep the muffins from crumbling. Expect some slight changes in texture, but the flavor will remain festive and wonderful.
Are these muffins suitable for freezing after baking or as raw batter?
It’s best to freeze the baked muffins for peak quality. Raw batter doesn’t freeze well due to the baking powder and fruit chunks, which can affect texture and rise after thawing.
What if I don’t have a muffin tin?
You can bake the batter in small ramekins or silicone cups, adjusting baking time as needed. Just keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick to avoid overbaking.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly heartwarming about making the Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe. It brings together the essence of the holidays into little bites of pure joy that are easy to share and impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or indulging yourself, these muffins are sure to brighten any festive table and create cozy memories. So grab your mixing bowls and get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible scent of holiday cheer!
Print
Christmas Stollen Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western, European
Description
These Christmas Stollen Muffins are moist, festive, and incredibly easy to bake, capturing the traditional flavors of holiday stollen in convenient, individual-sized treats. Filled with mixed dried fruits, aromatic spices, and a hint of citrus zest, these muffins are perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, or as delightful snacks throughout the season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (or lemon zest)
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins, etc.)
- ⅓ cup slivered almonds (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
For Finishing
- Powdered sugar, for dusting after baking
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease the cups with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and orange zest. Then fold in the mixed dried fruit and slivered almonds, if using, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the two large eggs. Add the milk, melted and slightly cooled unsalted butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Whisk these ingredients until they are thoroughly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently stir together until just combined; be careful not to overmix as this can make the muffins tough.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Using a spoon or scoop, evenly divide the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow space for rising.
- Bake: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The muffins should be golden brown on top.
- Cool and Dust: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, dust the tops generously with powdered sugar to mimic the classic snowy look of traditional stollen.
Notes
- Use mixed dried fruits like chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins, or any preferred combination for a variety of flavors and textures.
- Slivered almonds are optional but add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the muffins.
- Ensure butter is melted but cooled slightly so it does not cook the eggs when combined.
- Do not overmix the batter; a few lumps are okay to keep the muffins light and tender.
- If desired, substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative to make the muffins lactose-free.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
