Kerststol facts for kids
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| Type | Sweet bread |
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| Place of origin | Netherlands |
| Region or state | Northwestern Europe |
| Main ingredients | Yeast dough, dried fruits, raisins, currants, lemon and orange zest, water, milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, |
Kerststol is a special Dutch bread. It is shaped like an oval and is full of fruit. People usually eat it during the Christmas holidays. This sweet bread is made with yeast dough. It includes many tasty ingredients like dried fruits, raisins, and currants. It also has fresh lemon and orange zest, milk, butter, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
Some fancier versions of Kerststol might have chopped walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts. Sometimes, people add ginger powder or grated crystallized ginger. Other delicious additions can be dried cherries, cranberries, apple, kiwi, or cardamom.
How Kerststol is Made
After the dough rests, it is filled with a log of almond paste. This sweet paste is called amandelspijs in Dutch. The almond paste log is placed right in the middle of the dough. Then, the dough is folded over the almond paste lengthwise. It is gently pinched to seal it all up.
Once the Kerststol is baked and ready, it gets a final touch. It is dusted with a lot of icing sugar. People serve it in thick slices. It tastes even better when you spread some butter on each slice.
Paasstol: The Easter Version
There is a similar type of bread made for another holiday. For Easter, this bread is called paasstol or paasbrood. It shares many similarities with Kerststol but is enjoyed during the spring holiday.
Images for kids
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A whole Kerststol bread, ready to be sliced.
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Slices of Kerststol with almond paste in the middle.
