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Advent is a time full of anticipation, and culinary highlights are a firm favourite. Today we’re kicking off our Advent series with classic German Christmas recipes and some new ideas to get young and old into the festive spirit. We’ve already shared some Christmas recipe ideas in 2020 – take a look at them for more inspiration. We’ve shown you how to make festive hot drinks such as mulled wine and apple punch at home and how to make roasted almonds. Hot chocolate and chestnuts as well as a recipe for shortbread biscuits were also included as Christmas market treats. This year there are also a few new creations!
Vanilla Crescents – The Classic Biscuit
Vanilla crescents are a popular treat during the Advent season. With their delicate texture and subtle vanilla flavour, they are the perfect accompaniment to the Christmas spirit.
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 210 g butter, cold
- 100 g ground almonds
- 80 g sugar
- 1 sachet of vanilla sugar
- 100 g icing sugar
- 1 vanilla pod
Preparation:
- knead the flour, butter, almonds and sugar into a dough.
- wrap the dough in cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for approx. one hour.
- 3 Preheat the oven to 175 °C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- divide the dough into small pieces, shape into croissants and place on the baking tray.
- 5 Bake for about 10 minutes until the croissants are golden brown.
- mix the icing sugar and the seeds from the vanilla pod and turn the warm crescents in it.
Cinnamon Stars – Festive and Full of Flavour
These cinnamon biscuits are not only delicious, but also gluten-free and perfect for anyone who loves nuts and cinnamon.
Ingredients:
- 200 g ground almonds
- 150 g icing sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch of salt
Preparation:
- beat the egg whites until stiff and slowly fold in the icing sugar.
- set aside about 3 tbsp of the egg white and icing sugar mixture – this will be the icing.
- fold the almonds and cinnamon into the remaining beaten egg whites until you have a mouldable dough.
- roll out the dough on a surface dusted with icing sugar and cut out stars.
- brush with the reserved glaze and bake at 120 °C for approx. 20 minutes.
Gingerbread – Tradition from Nuremberg
It’s hard to imagine Christmas without gingerbread. This version is soft and flavoursome, ideal with coffee or mulled wine.
Ingredients:
- 200 g honey
- 150 g sugar
- 100 g butter
- 2 eggs
- 400 g flour
- 1 packet gingerbread spice
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Chocolate icing or icing sugar for decorating
Preparation:
- melt the honey, sugar and butter in a pan and then leave to cool.
- stir the eggs into the honey mixture.
- mix the flour, gingerbread spice and baking powder and gradually fold into the batter.
- spread the dough onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake at 180 °C for approx. 15 minutes.
- when cool, cover with chocolate or dust with icing sugar.
Baked Apple – Fruity and Sweet
A baked apple is quick to prepare and brings the scent of Christmas straight into the kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 4 large apples (e.g. Boskop)
- 50 g marzipan
- 50 g sultanas
- 2 tbsp chopped almonds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp sugar
- a little butter
Preparation:
- wash the apples and remove the core.
- mix the marzipan, sultanas, almonds, cinnamon and sugar and stuff into the apples.
- place a small piece of butter on top of the filling and bake the apples at 180 °C for approx. 20-25 minutes.
We wish you a happy and enjoyable Advent season! Enjoy these tasty treats. What are your favourite Christmas treats?
Responsible for the content of this article is Malak Mostafa.
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