The tradition of Christmas baking dates back to the
middle
Ages,
when
Monks
in
medieval
monasteries baked specialties to commemorate
the birth of Jesus. The baking of cookies at home
started in the 18th century with the increase in
coffee, tea and cocoa consumption. In the higher
classes of society, it was considered good form to
serve small cookies or biscuits with coffee. It was
not until the middle of the 19th century that
poorer households could afford to bake their own
biscuits and this became associated with the old
German custom of baking honey biscuits when the
nights started to draw in.
Although a lot of work to bake yourself, many
families are proud to serve their homemade
Christmas cookies and make it an annual family
event. And in the Schelchtweg family household it
is no different. Living in the picturesque town of
Landau an der Isar, in the south of Germany, this
family, although their three children have already
left the house, makes sure that the festive season
commences with a weekend of visiting and baking.
Weihnachtsplätzchen are made from different
types of doughs mixed with various spices like
cinnamon, gloves, cardamom, orange and lemon
peels, rum and vanilla and are decorated with
sugar and chocolate sprinkles, nuts or almonds.
Traditional German Christmas cookies include
Vanillekipferln
which
are
crescent-shaped
shortbread with nuts and vanilla, Zimtsterne, star-
shaped biscuits made of cinnamon and nuts and
Spitzbuben which are shortbread consisting of two
halves sandwiched together with jam. All the
biscuits are then divided amongst the family
members and friends. The biscuits are stored in
air-tight containers with a slice of bread. The bread
absorbs any moisture and ensures that the biscuits
stay crunchy for the duration of the festive season.
It's a wonderful occasion when generations gather
around the kitchen table, getting their hands dirty
and sharing of themselves. Oma Lisl, makes sure
that the importance of keeping the biscuits small
is strictly adhered to. While the men even offer
their help in the kitchen or choose to spend quality
man time together while having a beer.
These gatherings are tangible reminders of how
important it is to share family history and value
traditions and that the yellowing pages on which
handwritten recipes appear, are not only
memories of the past, but symbols of pleasure and
privilege.
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