Why Is Stollen Bread Called Stollen?
Stollen bread is called stollen because the word “stollen” means “stolen” in German. The name comes from a centuries-old tradition in Germany where bakers were not allowed to use butter during Advent, as it was reserved for church functions. However, some bakers decided to defy this rule and use butter to make stollen bread, hence the name “stolen” butter. Over time, the name was associated with the bread itself, which is a sweet, yeast-based loaf typically filled with marzipan, nuts, and dried fruit.