Mennonite Gingerbread – Mennoniten Lebkuchen

A delicious Christmas treat! Ingredients: 1 cup brown sugar1 cup butter, softened2 large eggs½ cup molasses2 cups all-purpose flour½ teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon ground cinnamon½ teaspoon ground ginger1 cup boiling water2 teaspoons baking sodaWhipped cream, as needed Instructions: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9in. x…

Mulled Wine – Glühwein

Mulled wine is one of the traditional drinks during winter and especially Christmas time. If you visit a German Christmas Market you will notice the high count of mulled wine booths. Usually made from red wine, today you will also find white mulled wine, or mulled wine with a dash…

Potato Pancakes – Reibekuchen

Ingredients 8 Potatoes (uncooked) 1 onion 8 tbs flour (use corn starch if you can’t use gluten) 2 eggs salt and pepper oil for frying Preparation Grate the potatoes with a large grater and remove the excess liquid.  Season generously with salt and some pepper. Add eggs and finely chopped…

Roasted Goose – Weihnachtsgans

The Weihnachtsgans, or “Christmas goose”, is a traditional Christmas dinner in Germany and neighbouring countries. According to legend, when St. Martin of Tours was to be made a bishop, he was reluctant to do so. As a result, he decided to hide so none could find him and make him…

Shortbread Cookies – Spritzgebäck

Buttery and crumbly makes for delicious Shortbread cookies! This classic cookie is reminiscent colourful cookie plates during Advent. Ingredients: 500 g flour85 g butter85 g margarine2 eggs170 g sugar1 teaspoon vanilla sugar25 g baking powderpinch of salt Instructions: With this recipe, you will need either a meat grinder with cookie…

Spitzkuchen – Gingerbread Pastry

Honey, brown sugar and other Christmas spices make this pastry a perfect Christmas dessert! Ingredients: 120 ml (½ cup) honey80 ml (⅓ cup) brown sugar2 tablespoons oil1 eggrumpinch of cardamom or allspice1 teaspoon cinnamon475 ml (2 cups) flour3 teaspoons baking powder160 ml (⅔ cup) chopped hazelnuts or almondsdark chocolate, as…

Swabian Springerle – Swäbische Springerle

Springerle are a special form of Christmas cookies. You will need a wooden model form which has a carved pattern. It a very old Swabian tradition and wooden models are handed down from parents to children. Ingredients: 5 cups confectioners’ sugar4 eggszest from 1 lemon4 cups flour2 tablespoons flour Instructions:…

Vanilla Crescent Cookies – Vanillekipferl

Vanillekipferl are a very traditional Christmas cookie in the shape of a croissant. They are made from a shortcrust pastry made from flour, butter, sugar and grated almonds, often also roasted almonds – but also walnuts, peanuts or hazelnuts depending on the region or country you are in. Ingredients: 2…