It’s a common question this time of year… What is Lebkuchen? Is it like Gingerbread? The answer is yes… sort of. You shouldn’t expect a snappy gingerbread man when someone offers you a Lebkuchen cookie. Lebkuchen is not crispy or crunchy and tends to be round or rectangular (seldom person-shaped). It’s a rich, soft, spicy, sweet, and filling cookie (or…
Author: karenanne
Countdown to Christmas With a Playmobil Advent Calendar
When my kids were young, their Oma gave them a Playmobil Advent Calendar. This had to be the exciting HIT of the Season. Imagine, every day, a box containing a little Playmobil part would be opened (they took turns… ) and the piece would be added to the scene that was developing on the side table in the family…
Start a Family Tradition- Ravensburger Christmas Puzzles
Every year, we bring out a new Ravensburger Christmas Puzzle to work on during the days and nights leading up to Christmas. A table is set up, and the pieces are sorted (edge versus middle), and off we go. Ravensburger, the German company based in Ravensburg, makes high-quality puzzles featuring beautiful Christmas images. They hold up well to lots of…
What is a Stutenkerl? Is it the same as a Weckmann?
On November 11, children in Germany celebrate St Martin’s Day by parading with Lanterns, and munching on a Stutenkerl, also known as Weckmann or Kiepenkerl. But… What IS a Stutenkerl? What is a Weckmann? Are they the same thing? It turns out these baked men, a sweetened yeast-dough version of a Gingerbread man, date back to the Middle Ages. …
Find the BEST German Slippers and House Shoes for Men
It has taken a little convincing, but I finally convinced my American guy that he should wear German house shoes in the house and not just socks. Growing up in a German household, we always had house shoes that we slipped into when we came inside. These weren’t just slippers (although he got slippers, too). House Shoes have a sole…
Is Kindergarten German? Learn all about Kindergarten History!
Is Kindergarten German? YES! The “Garden of Children,” or Kindergarten, sprung from the mind of Friedrich Fröbel, based on the idea that young children are like flowers or small plants, and with the right nurturing and care, they can grow to be productive adults. His education system for young people spread worldwide, and most countries today have some form of…
The German Cookbook by Alfons Schuhbeck- My Review
The German Cookbook Recently the people at Phaidon Publishing asked me to take a look at The German Cookbook… and wow, I’m impressed. Alfons Schubeck’s collection of over 500 authentic German recipes brings together all the different regional dishes in one (heavy) comprehensive book. You won’t just find the standard Rouladen, Sauerbraten, Schnitzel Recipes that are on most German menus.…
All About Oktoberfest-Oktoberfest History,Traditions, Food & More
When summer draws to an end, it’s time to think about Fall Festivals in Germany. And the BIGGEST Fall Festival is, Oktoberfest. People from all over the world descend on Munich to celebrate this crazy fun event! And… these days, Oktoberfest celebrations are popping up all over the world. Rather than have people searching for any information they need about…
Soft German Pretzel Recipe (without Lye)
While I’ve always known that German pretzels exist, I had them at Fairs or Karneval and such; it wasn’t until I went to Munich that I discovered just how central soft German pretzels are in daily life in Bavaria. They aren’t just Oktoberfest Food. Soft Pretzels are found in the Bread Basket beside the Brötchen and Roggenbrot! BAM! That was…