This is one of my favourite festive recipe books along with Nigel Slater’s Christmas Diariwa. Have you made her marzipan shortbread yet? It’s almost ridiculously delicious
I love Anja’s book. My mother is German and we grew up with picture advent calendars, which once we moved to Australia were quite difficult to source. I still have a fondness for them and buy one each year for my girls, even though they are way beyond the age of advent calendars. I love that they are still a part of our festive season rituals.
I love it, too, Julia! How great you still do the calendars, such a sweet ritual and tradition! Ps - keep an eye out for the Tuesday post, you may see someone you know 😉
A great read as usual! I never really grew up with Advent as a thing in my family, with a lapsed Catholic mother and an unenthusiastic Methodist father. There's so much to do in the summer Christmas month in Australia, and opening 24 small doors wasn't so fun (or maybe they weren't available?) I did have them from time to time for my own kids, who were given a Bunter Teller each Christmas by their German Omi—Marzipan logs, Pfeffernüßer, and Lindt chocolate.
Living where I do now, I'm still not used to people wishing me a "happy Advent". So, in the spirit of trying new things, Happy Advent!😁
Happy Advent to you, Lisa! I didn’t realize that people in Finland wished a “Happy Advent” the way we say “Happy Holidays” here, I learned something! (I always do from your posts!) I LOVE everything you mentioned in the Bunter Teller 😋
Thanks Jolene! Yeah, the cultural differences are so interesting. We don’t say “Happy Holidays” in Australia either. Merry Christmas is standard. We have the summer school hoidays and no Thanksgiving so I guess it’s just become Merry Christmas…and then we head to the beach!
My kids would fight over the chocolate marzipan log that I don’t like! So funny!
So thanks for this interesting facts about advent calendar... here in Spain I saw with cheese and other one with wine... is impressive the variety they have nowadays!
Glad you made them, Camilla, and I know it’s a sticky dough, a few ideas: put a little flour on your hands when you are handling the dough and you could put the dough in refrigerator for a couple of minutes to firm it up a little. I always think the most important thing is that the thing you’re making tastes good! (But it’s nice when it looks the way you want, too 😊) let me know how it goes!
Hope, peace, joy, and love....if I wasn't working on an essay about what a lousy baker I am, I would be trying these beautiful cookies out. I wished we lived closer and I could stop by to try them. Thank you so much for the history, too...learning something new through your lens is always such a treasure. xxCb
This is fascinating, Jolene! Though we didn’t grow up with Advent in our family, Hanukkah cookies were a thing, and I think one of my German-born cousins does make cinnamon star cookies each year—or used to. I’m definitely going to send this to her and ask if the recipe sounds familiar. Looking forward to reading the next installment and coming up with more ideas for my own Bunter Teller!
What a great post, Jolene! I enjoyed learning about advent calendars. My mother bought one for us every year so of course that's what I did for my son. I've lamented not having them now that he's an adult but your post made me realize I could get one just for my husband and me. What a concept!
I really look forward to the on-line version from you. What a wonderful idea.
Thank you, Andrea! Hope you’re well! Yes, get one for you and your husband! Question: I’ve been reading about cookie-like marzipan (turron?) treats that are popular at the holidays in Spain, do you know the significance? Thanks! xx
My absolute favorite thing to do this time of year is to pull out all the Christmas/holiday cookbooks I've amassed over the years. One of them (of course!) is Anja's book. Thank you for shining a light on such a wonderful book. I'm so looking forward to these daily 'gifts' from TTK. Thanks, Jolene xox
What a wonderful column -- so much beautiful information -- I learned how to "little" I know and knew about Advent calendars....so enjoyed this -- thank you my dear Jolene -- Wishing you a very "merry" Christmas. xo
This is one of my favourite festive recipe books along with Nigel Slater’s Christmas Diariwa. Have you made her marzipan shortbread yet? It’s almost ridiculously delicious
I haven’t, and this is my cue to make them, Laura! I’m checking out Nigel’s book now, thank you!
I love Anja’s book. My mother is German and we grew up with picture advent calendars, which once we moved to Australia were quite difficult to source. I still have a fondness for them and buy one each year for my girls, even though they are way beyond the age of advent calendars. I love that they are still a part of our festive season rituals.
I love it, too, Julia! How great you still do the calendars, such a sweet ritual and tradition! Ps - keep an eye out for the Tuesday post, you may see someone you know 😉
A great read as usual! I never really grew up with Advent as a thing in my family, with a lapsed Catholic mother and an unenthusiastic Methodist father. There's so much to do in the summer Christmas month in Australia, and opening 24 small doors wasn't so fun (or maybe they weren't available?) I did have them from time to time for my own kids, who were given a Bunter Teller each Christmas by their German Omi—Marzipan logs, Pfeffernüßer, and Lindt chocolate.
Living where I do now, I'm still not used to people wishing me a "happy Advent". So, in the spirit of trying new things, Happy Advent!😁
Happy Advent to you, Lisa! I didn’t realize that people in Finland wished a “Happy Advent” the way we say “Happy Holidays” here, I learned something! (I always do from your posts!) I LOVE everything you mentioned in the Bunter Teller 😋
Thanks Jolene! Yeah, the cultural differences are so interesting. We don’t say “Happy Holidays” in Australia either. Merry Christmas is standard. We have the summer school hoidays and no Thanksgiving so I guess it’s just become Merry Christmas…and then we head to the beach!
My kids would fight over the chocolate marzipan log that I don’t like! So funny!
It’s freezing in Chicago today, hitting a beach sounds divine! 🏖️
Cold, and dark by 4pm here too. Longing for the beach too!
A tasty trip into art history. The recipe is interesting, but I was advised to AVOID staying too long in kitchens or near kitchen utensils.....
Thank you, Daniel!
So thanks for this interesting facts about advent calendar... here in Spain I saw with cheese and other one with wine... is impressive the variety they have nowadays!
Both sound delicious, Patricia! Thank you!
Attempt one at trying to bake these and it didn’t work 😭 dough was so sticky it was hard to roll out evenly. I LOVE the taste though! x
Glad you made them, Camilla, and I know it’s a sticky dough, a few ideas: put a little flour on your hands when you are handling the dough and you could put the dough in refrigerator for a couple of minutes to firm it up a little. I always think the most important thing is that the thing you’re making tastes good! (But it’s nice when it looks the way you want, too 😊) let me know how it goes!
so much beautiful (and devastating) history here. thank you, Jolene
Thank you, Danyel! ✨
Hope, peace, joy, and love....if I wasn't working on an essay about what a lousy baker I am, I would be trying these beautiful cookies out. I wished we lived closer and I could stop by to try them. Thank you so much for the history, too...learning something new through your lens is always such a treasure. xxCb
I’m putting the coffee ☕️ on, Christene, c’mon over! (Wish we lived closer, too!) ❤️
This is fascinating, Jolene! Though we didn’t grow up with Advent in our family, Hanukkah cookies were a thing, and I think one of my German-born cousins does make cinnamon star cookies each year—or used to. I’m definitely going to send this to her and ask if the recipe sounds familiar. Looking forward to reading the next installment and coming up with more ideas for my own Bunter Teller!
Yes, let me know if they are the same cookies, Ruth! LOVED your O’Keeffe piece today and LOVED the photos of you and Jeff in his post today! ❤️
Thanks SO much, Jolene! Will let you know!
:)
I miss the Advent calendars I'd buy each year when my sons were small! I'm going to buy my own....then make your cookies and open a door. Thank you!
That sounds perfect, Pat! ⭐️ 🎄
Happy Advent, Jolene! Cannot believe we are here already. But do love the season!
Happy Advent, Anne! I love it, too! Let’s catch up soon! xx
What a great post, Jolene! I enjoyed learning about advent calendars. My mother bought one for us every year so of course that's what I did for my son. I've lamented not having them now that he's an adult but your post made me realize I could get one just for my husband and me. What a concept!
I really look forward to the on-line version from you. What a wonderful idea.
Thank you, Andrea! Hope you’re well! Yes, get one for you and your husband! Question: I’ve been reading about cookie-like marzipan (turron?) treats that are popular at the holidays in Spain, do you know the significance? Thanks! xx
My absolute favorite thing to do this time of year is to pull out all the Christmas/holiday cookbooks I've amassed over the years. One of them (of course!) is Anja's book. Thank you for shining a light on such a wonderful book. I'm so looking forward to these daily 'gifts' from TTK. Thanks, Jolene xox
Thank you, Domenica! I agree, Anja’s book is like entering an enchanted holiday village so beautiful and inspiring. Hope you’re well! xx
I didn't think anything could top a chocolate advent calendar - but this is the best!
Hi, Melanie! Thank you!
So lovely to learn about the history of Advent calendars! ❤️🎄
Keep an eye out for tomorrow’s post! 😉
can’t wait!
What a wonderful column -- so much beautiful information -- I learned how to "little" I know and knew about Advent calendars....so enjoyed this -- thank you my dear Jolene -- Wishing you a very "merry" Christmas. xo
Thank you, Barbara 🤗 I had no idea about most of this till I started digging! Merry Christmas to you, my friend! xx 🎄