In Dutch Christmas folklore and food tradition, kerststol is the sweet bread traditionally eaten during the Christmas season.
Kerststol is a Dutch version of the enriched fruit breads found across northern Europe. It commonly contains dried fruit, such as raisins or currants, and may include a central filling of almond paste. The loaf is often finished with powdered sugar.
The word combines kerst, meaning Christmas, with stol, referring to the loaf. It is served at Christmas breakfast, brunch or coffee gatherings and is also sold by bakeries during the holiday period.
Kerststol is related to German Christstollen, but the names and national traditions should not be treated as identical. Dutch festive baking also includes speculaas and oliebollen, yet those foods are not the specific Christmas loaf described here.