For centuries, Christianity has been the major religion in Germany. This history is still reflected in the traditions, foods and holidays in Germany today. The first record of Stollen in Dresden was in 1474. It was normally eaten as a fasting food and was only made out of flour, yeast and water. In 1491, Dresden bakers received special permission from the Pope to add butter to their Stollen in the form of a Butterbrief (butter letter/missive). In 1560, Stollen gained a reputation for being a treat fit for royalty and bakers started gifting the Kings and Queens of Saxony Stollen for Christmas. In 1730, Augustus the Strong, the most famous elector of Saxony and King of Poland, was gifted a giant Stollen by 100 bakers. This Stollen weighed 1.8 tons when it was completed. There is a famous golden Statue of Augustus the Strong in Dresden which also appears on the golden seal of quality for Stollen. This tradition continues today on a smaller scale with giant Stollen being prepared for the Striezelmarkt.
It is believed that if you eat 12 different pieces of Stollen before Christmas, it will bring you luck in the next 12 months of the new year. Viel Glück! (Good luck!)
