Authentic German Chocolate Rum Balls
This is another recipe for authentic German chocolate rum balls which are very popular for the holidays. We have several recipes for these little delights on the website. As far as I can remember back when living in Germany there is no Christmas without these delicious chocolate balls. It’s an easy recipe and you don’t need any special ingredients. Happy Baking!
Ingredients Authentic German Chocolate Rum Balls
100 g butter, warm
100 g powdered sugar
200 g milk chocolate
100 g dark chocolate, semi-sweet (60-70% cocoa)
4 tbsp dark rum (or Amaretto, Brandy)
Chocolate sprinkles or unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking Instructions Rum Balls
(makes about 40 balls)
– Butter should be very soft. Mix butter until creamy.
– Sieve powdered sugar, and add to the butter.
– Break chocolate into smaller pieces, melt by using the double boiler method.
– Combine butter-sugar mix with chocolate and rum.
– Let sit in fridge for 1 hour.
– Dip hands in cold water and form small balls out of the chocolate batter.
– Roll the balls in cocoa powder or in chocolate sprinkles. If you like you can use also unsweetened grated coconut. Place on a plate.
– Let sit in the fridge for 1 hour.
– Place each ball into matching paper cups (the ones you use for pralines).
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German Baked Apples – Bratapfel Recipe
Fall and winter is the time for German baked apples – we call them Bratäpfel. Make sure to use big enough apples and serve them with your favorite items: whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or vanilla sauce. Or maybe all three together! Happy Cooking!
Ingredients German Baked Apples
2 big apples
2 tbsp chopped almonds
some lemon juice
2 tbsp raisins
1 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
100 g soft butter
Cooking Instructions German Baked Apples
– Pre-heat oven to 420 F.
– Soak raisins in rum or apple juice until they have softened.
– Cut of lid.
– Remove the core from the apples.
– Drip lemon juice into the apple.
– Drain raisins (if soaked in rum you can add it to the filling).
– Combine very soft butter with almonds and raisins, add a bit of lemon juice, cinnamon and powdered sugar to taste.
– Fill it into each apple.
– Place each apple into a single fire proof form (ramequin form) or if you have more than 2 use a rectangle form.
– Place in oven and bake for 40 min. Cover with aluminum foil after 20 min.
– Melt some butter which you can drip over the apples.
Serve right away.
The baked apples taste wonderful with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or vanilla sauce – Go to the Recipe
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German Spaetzle – Swabian Noodle Specialty
German Spaetzle are not only popular in the South of Germany, in Swabia, they are known in Switzerland and the Alsace. I am very happy that I even can purchase dried ones here in the USA! But do you know how to make them? If not, then you will love the following recipe. Spätzle are served mainly with meat dishes cooked in gravy such as a roast, beef Goulash or beef rolls (Rouladen). They soak up the gravy and are therefor an ideal side dish for your pork or beef roast.
Do you actually know what the word “Spätzle” means? It literally means “little sparrows”. In 1725, Rosino Lentilio, a councillor and personal physician from Baden-Würtemberg, stated that “Knöpflein” and “Spazen” were “all the things that are made from flour”. Spelt was grown widely in the Swabian-Alemannic area at the time.
Since March 2012, Swabian Spätzle and Swabian Knöpfle have been awarded the EU quality seal for “Protected Geographical Indications (PGI)” and are protected throughout Europe as a regional specialty. In order to be able to bear this sign, one of the production stages of the product must have taken place in the respectively defined region of origin.
German Spätzle are originally from Baden-Württemberg, the region around Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Freiburg. German Spätzle served with fried onions and cheese are called “Cheese Spaetzle”, and this is a meal for itself that tastes awesome with a mixed salad.
To make them you can use a Spätzle maker like shown on the photo below. Just make the dough and pour it through the movable upper part of the board. Happy Cooking!
Ingredients German Spaetzle
(serves 4)
2 cups flour (wheat, all purpose) – or 250 g flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3 eggs
1 cup water or mineral water – 1/4 l water
Delicious Swabian Spatzle from Lovegermanfood.com
Cooking Instructions German Spaetzle
– Mix the flour with half of the salt and the nutmeg.
– Add eggs, mix them in with a fork.
– Pour in water while stirring constantly with a large spoon until dough is smooth.
– Bring water to a boil in a big pot, add remaining salt.
– Set the Spaetzle maker over the boiling water and by going back and forward with the machine, press the dough through the wholes, a few tablespoons at a time, directly into the boiling water.
– Stir the Spaetzle gently to prevent them from sticking together.
– Boil them briskly for 5-8 minutes or when they are floating on the surface, remove them with a slotted spoon.
– Keep them in a bowl until all are done. Never do them all at one time.
That’s all, it is not that complicated. If you don’t want to make them from scratch just buy them packaged.
The best Video ever that shows how to make the REAL THING! Mrs Lutz speaks Schwäbisch and if you know this dialect, you understand every word. If not, just follow her… it’s that easy!
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Sausages in Beer Gravy – Authentic German Recipe
Sausages in beer gravy is an authentic and original German dish. Since centuries Germany is the country of the best sausage making. You will find that the best sausages are indeed made in Germany. You probably know the simple version of a boiled and/or fried sausage that you enjoy with a roll or bread and Sauerkraut. The recipe today shows an interesting way to cook the sausages: They are served in a beer gravy together with mashed potatoes and Sauerkraut. Any other side dish would be delicious too: fried potatoes, Spätzle, red cabbage or dumplings. For making the gravy you would use dark beer, see below what kind of beer to use. Happy Cooking!
Ingredients Sausages in Beer Gravy
4 sausages (uncooked Bratwurst or Brats)
1 onion
125 ml beer (preferably dark beer, if the typical Bavarian dark beer is not available, you can use instead ale, Guinness or Stout)
125 ml water
1 clove
1/4 bay leave
1 slice lemon
2 tbsp flour, salt
1 tbsp mustard (medium, preferably German)
NO SUBSCRIPTION NEEDED! Gift Boxes that Make a Great Gift!
Cooking Instructions Sausages in Beer Gravy
– Place sausages in a pot with water and bring it to a boil; take them out.
– Heat ghee or butter in a skillet. Fry sausages on all sides evenly until they are showing a light brown crust on both sides.
– Remove from the pan.
– Chop onions fine and saute them in the same pan you fried the sausages until they are light brown.
– De-glaze with beer and water (or just use beer).
– Add bay leave, clove, lemon, salt, mustard and Worcester Sauce.
– Bring to a boil then place sausages into the sauce.
– On low heat and covered let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
– Remove bay leave, clove and lemon, place sausages on a warm dish and cover with aluminum foil (keep it warm).
– In some cold water mix the flour, stir until smooth; add to the gravy.
Serve with mashed or boiled potatoes, Sauerkraut or red cabbage.
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The Best Christmas Markets in America
Everyone who has ever visited a Christmas Market in Germany knows how romantic and traditional these markets are. All the markets are held in the center of the town or city and often around the church, castle, dome or cathedral. Such a place would be called the “Marktplatz” as in the past, and of course also as of today, local markets are held throughout the year. Christmas markets are held rain or shine, that means if it snows it is not a reason to close them.
The good thing is that every Christmas Market has a remedy for cold hands and feet: Glühwein or Mulled wine. For almost one month the Christmas markets or called in German “Christkindl Markets” or “Weihnachtsmärkte” the center piece of local and national entertainment.
You can buy local Christmas crafts and gifts and enjoy local delicatessen like Thueringer Bratwurst, Schupfnudeln, Reibekuchen and the hot mulled wine or the Feuerzangenbowle – a hot holiday punch. The flavor of gingerbread, roasted almonds, fried bratwurst and potato pancakes is in the air. That’s the scene in Germany. What about the scene in the USA?
What are the Best Christmas Markets in America?
Some of the markets will be updated per year. Please visit their websites for the accurate dates.
CHICAGO
The most popular and biggest Christmas Market is the one in Chicago.
November 22 – December 24, 2024
Visit the website – Christkindlmarket Chicago
The Christkindlmarket in Chicago is the largest and most renowned Christmas market in the United States, attracting more than one million visitors annually from the Chicagoland area, across the US, and around the world. This yearly event, which has taken place since 1996, celebrates the city’s friendship with Nuremberg, home to one of Germany’s most famous traditional Christmas markets, with traditional German specialties, music, and decorations. The official grand opening festivities on November 27 even feature the Christkind from Nuremberg. (The market opens beforehand for two “sneek peak” days on November 25-26.)
WRIGLEYVILLE CHICAGO, IL
Part of the Winterland at Gallagher Way – Click here for details-
2024: Nov 22-Dec 31
Monday through Thursday: 3 pm – 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm
Special Opening Hours:
Thanksgiving: 11 am – 4 pm
Christmas Eve (December 24): 11 am – 4 pm
Christmas Day (December 25): CLOSED
December 26 through December 28: 11 am – 9 pm
New Year’s Eve (December 31): 11 am – 4 pm
HARMONY, PA
2024:
Saturday Nov 9 – 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday Nov 10 – 10 am to 4 pm
Historic Harmony Weihnachtsmarkt
Admission includes all-day access to a market, museum, entertainment and horse drawn wagon rides. Proceeds benefit nonprofit Historic Harmony, the local historical society and preservation advocate, and its Harmony Museum operations. For a new antiques show and sale, dealers from throughout Western Pennsylvania and Ohio have come together in a Weihnachsmarkt first in 2010 to offer hundreds of extraordinary items. This market also includes a Biergarten; hot pretzels; hands-on activities and demonstrations; crafts for kids to make and take home; local spinners and weavers demonstrating time-honored arts; and a quilting program.
Visitors can find out more about Harmony’s history anytime of year by visiting the Harmony Museum. Exhibit rooms in the 200-year-old main museum building, now decorated for the holiday season, are open for self-guided tours. Museum exhibits interpret the area’s history, which includes Harmony’s 1804 founding by freedom-seeking Germans.
CARMEL, IN
Christkindlmarkt
NOVEMBER 23 – DECEMBER 24
Mo, Tue closed – Wed & Thu 4-9pm – Fr & Sat 12-9pm – Sun 12-8pm
Nov 23: Noon – 9 pm
Dec 18: 4 pm – 9 pm
Dec 19: 4 pm – 9pm
Dec 24: Noon – 4 pm
Stroll through the market and enjoy delicious German food and beverage offerings from over 20 vendors, shop for unique gifts, and enjoy holiday music performed by artists from around the world.
CINNICINATTI, OH
Nov 1 – Nov 3 2024
Christkindlmarkt Cincinnati
Presented by the Germania Society, this Christmas market celebrating its 12th anniversary in 2009 features crafts, entertainment and traditional food, including full dinners, all under a covered, closed and heated pavilion at Germania Park, as well as free carriage rides.
Make a Special Gift: The German Christmas Box – Shop Here –
AKRON, OH
December 7
Hartville Heart & Home for the Holiday’s Market
Twelve charming cottages house some 40 vendors – including craftsmen, entertainers and chefs – from Chemnitz, Germany, Akron’s sister city, and feature handcrafted wares, including Moravian stars, Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) arts and crafts, and hand-blown glass ornaments as well as seasonal fare.
E.J. Thomas Christmas Arts & Crafts Show
Dec 6 – 8
Check the website above for all dates in OHIO
DAYTON, OH
Saturday, December 9th from 10 am-5 pm
Sunday, December 12 pm-4 pm
Christmas Market Liederkranz-Turner
Celebrate Christmas at the Dayton Christmas market featuring hand-crafted ornaments and gift items, German food and beverages, a Christmas raffle, and concerts by the Dayton Liederkranz children’s, women’s, and men’s choirs.
There are 23 Christmas Markets in Ohio – Click here for all the details –
ATLANTA, GA
Nov 22- Dec 24, 2024
Christkindl Market
Held in the Buckhead Village centrally located and accessible from all over the Greater ATL.
Nov 17 – Nov 19 (pre-weekend)
Black Friday– December 24, 2023 (four weeks daily)
Friday – Sunday 11 am to 9 pm
Monday – Thursday 3 pm to 8 pm
NEW YORK CITY
There are 14 Christmas markets at different locations in NY.
Union Square Holiday Market
This Christmas market was initially modeled after European Christmas markets and despite some changes since its original inception it still mirrors its cousins across the Atlantic pretty closely. It is one of the largest Christmas markets in New York and a holiday tradition for any visitor.
November 14 – December 23, 2024
Monday-Friday 11 am – 8 pm / Saturday 10 am – 8 pm / Sunday 11 am – 7 pm
Columbus Circle Holiday Market (November 19 – December 24)
Located at Central Park’s southwest corner, in close proximity to the iconic Wollmann ice skating rink, you will find the Columbus Circle Holiday Market. It’s featuring about 100 booths and this makes this market to the best but also to the largest holiday markets in NYC.
Dec 3 – December 31, 2024
Plattdeutsche Restaurant & Biergarten Christkindl Market
Nov 30, 2024
Plattdeutsche Park Restaurant Christkindl Market
Traditional German Christmas Market , free admission
NY BRYANT PARK
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Oct 31, 2024 – March, 2025
Monday – Friday 11 am – 8 pm / Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 8 pm
It started in 2002, the Winter Village in Bryant Park is one of the most festive Christmas markets in NYC. The center of the city is a truly inspiring place to drink in the splendor of winter as you and your loved ones stroll down aisle after aisle of specialty vendors and themed attractions. Winter Village has lots to offer: an ice skating rink with free admission, holiday stands to offer seasonal bites, beverages to refuel, local crafts, jewelry, clothes, and many more cute baubles.
NY – Grand Central Vanderbilt Holiday Fair
November 11th – December 24th, 2024
Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal
Fabulous indoor Christmas markets in NYC at the Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central. It’s a large 1 month-long indoor holiday market that’s perfect for those who prefer to stay snuggled in warmth regardless of outdoor conditions.
More than 1 million shoppers pass through the holiday fair each day. The iconic transport hub is a convenient location for a jolly extravaganza!
— For more Christmas market in NY visit this website which is covering them all —
PHILADELPHIA, PA
November 23 – December 24, 2024
Christmas Village at Love Park and City Hall
Started in 2008 with some 150,000 visitors and continued again in 2009, Christmas Village is coming back to Philadelphia’s Dilworth Plaza on the west side of City Hall in 2010. Vendors in more than 50 wooden booths and timber houses which form a medieval village will sell European food, sweets and drinks as well as international seasonal holiday gifts, ornaments and high quality arts and crafts. Thousands of lights at booths and trees will integrate Dilworth Plaza into the scenery of the illuminated city hall. A central stage will be the place for live performances of local choirs, orchestras and bands. (Opens for a sneak peek on November 25, 2010.)
LEAVENWORTH, WA — CANCELLED
November 26-28
Leavenworth Bavarian Village
Visitors come back year after year for the famous Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival, held in the “Bavarian Village.” Everyone gathers at dusk to sing Silent Night and witness the lighting of the village as it is transformed into a magical wonderland of lights. Booths with holiday fare and a variety of music and entertainment round out the festival.
HELEN, GA
Christkindlmarkt
November 30 – Dec 8, 2024
Helen, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Chattahoochee River, is a re-creation of an alpine village complete with cobblestone alleys and old-world towers. Helen invites you to come and do your Christmas shopping in the festive atmosphere of our Alpine Village decorated for the season. Running for 16 yers now.
FORT WAYNE, IN
Dec 3, 2024 – See more festivities on their website
Festival of Gingerbread
Held at the History Center each year during the holiday season, the annual Festival of Gingerbread features hundreds of gingerbread creations, from those made by area grade school children to master bakers. Weekend activities during the Festival include visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus, storytelling, gingerbread cookie sales and more. Closed Thanksgiving Day.
BETHLEHEM, PA
From November 15 – December 22
• November 22-24, 2024
• November 29-December 1, 2024
• December 5-8, 2024
• December 12-15, 2024
• December 19-22, 2024
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem
This Christmas market, located in Bethlehem’s historic downtown district, is a heartwarming holiday event for the whole family. It features live holiday music, great food, and old St. Nicholas as well as vendors of exquisite handmade gifts by artisans from around the country. Open Thursdays to Sundays. Bethlehem also bills itself as “Christmas City” and features a host of related seasonal events. Weekends Only.
Since 1937, the city has officially been known as Christmas City, USA. Each year, thousands of festive folks from near and far visit to take in holiday attractions, restaurants and world-class lodging, as well as the unique shopping experiences on charming historic Main Street and in the SouthSide Arts District
DENVER, CO
Christkindl Market Denver
November 22 – December 23, 2024
Sunday – Wednesday: 11am – 7pm / Thursday – Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Since 1999, the German American Chamber of Commerce of the city of Denver has held an annual Christkindl Market with a variety of concerts and entertainment as well as vendors selling holiday goodies and gifts.
MEDINA, NY
November 30, 2024
Old Tyme Christmas Celebration
Patterned after the historically European tradition of Christmas Markets; holiday crafters, entertainment & wagon rides are just a few of the activities around the village. Featuring a spectacular “Parade of Lights.”
HERMANN, MO
December 2, 2023 to Sunday December 3, 2023
10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Christmas in Historic Hermann
Enjoy German Christmas traditions at this event featuring food and craft demonstrations, story telling, and a visit from Father Christmas as well as a select group of artists and crafters and a variety of food and entertainment. Two Kristkindl Markt’s are part of the program at the Stone Hill Winery Pavilion (December 4-5) and the Hermannhof Festhalle (December 11-12).
BALTIMORE, MD
On Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving
Christkindlmarkt at the Zion Church of the City of Baltimore
At this annual event at the Zion church in the heart of historic Baltimore, shoppers can feast on authentic German foods and stock their pantries with imported holiday goodies including Stollen, Lebkuchen, Marzipan, and Advent calendars. Local craftspeople display their handmade snowflakes, Santas and floral arrangements along with commercial importers of smokers and steins. A model train garden is also part of the event.
BALTIMORE
Christmas Village at the Inner Harbor
Nov 28th – Dec 24th, 2024
12pm – 8pm daily
Closed on November 25, 26 and 27, 2024.
This Christmas Village is a combination of an outdoor and indoor holiday festival at West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor. The event is modeled after the traditional Christmas Markets in Germany, like the famous Christkindl Market in Nuremberg. Find in wooden booths traditional European food, sweets and drinks.
TULSA, OK
December 6-8, 2024
Christkindlmarkt
The German-American Society of Tulsa creates a winter wonderland which includes many crafters displaying their wares, including booths featuring nutcrackers, smoker-männle, imported Christmas tree ornaments and Germany’s famous Christmas Stollen, as well as Wurst, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), hot apple cider, hot chocolate and coffee. The Christkindl (Christ Child) and St. Nikolaus walk among the booths to the delight of the children, who are also entertained in a special Spielstube, or playroom.
ELKHARDT LAKE, WI
from 10 AM – 5 PM
Dec 6 – Dec 15, 2024 (days vary from year to year)
Admission is $7 per adult, 14 and under are free
Old World Christmas Market
The Osthoff Resort’s annual traditional European Christmas Market, reminiscent of the centuries-old German Christkindlesmarkt, features authentic gifts, toys, ornaments and food specialties from international and regional artisans in timber booths adorned in fresh greens and thousands of twinkling white lights.
AUSTIN, TX
There are 14 different Christmas Markets in Austin – check the link below
Christmas Festival
Every December, on the first Saturday of the month, the German-Texan Heritage Society puts on a Christmas festival at the German Free School in Austin, with hand-made crafts items imported from Germany. Shoppers can choose from imported German craft items such as nutcrackers, pyramids, smokers, and arches, plus a variety of other gift items, books, and ornaments. Live performances of German Christmas music take place throughout the day, plus a special visit from St. Nikolaus. Visitors can also browse our used German book selection, enjoy complimentary treats, and sip on some Glühwein.
SAN ANTONIO, TX
December 4
Houston Street Market
The Holidays on Houston Street Market will feature a European-inspired Christkindl-style market, complete with a 15-minute drone show synced to holiday tunes. The market is free and open to the public.
ARLINGTON, TX
Christkindl Market TX
November 22 – 24 and Nov 29 – Dec 23, 2024
11 am – 8 pm Daily
The almost 70-year relationship between Arlington and its sister city, Bad Königshofen, inspired the Texas Christkindl Market to commemorate its first magical season in 2011. With several markets all over Europe for the holidays, the Texas Christkindl Market also works with its partner Christmas city, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, to bring the same wonderful magic and feeling to Texas. Visitors will discover handcrafted gifts and collectibles, including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village.
MIFFLINBURG, PA
Christkindl Market Mifflinburg
December 12, 13 and 14, 2024
Mifflinburg’s version of an authentic Christmas Market, inspired by the 700-year-old traditional German Christkindl Markt, or Christ Child Market, is a festive event prepared by various churches, organizations, schools, and residents. For three days, Mifflinburg’s Market Street, with its many churches, is lined with festive outdoor huts featuring unique handmade crafts and traditional Christkindl treats.
WASHINGTON DC
Downtown Christmas Market
NOV 22 to DEC 15, 2024 I MON-FRI 12 to 8PM I SAT/SUN 11 to 8PM
12:00PM to 8:00PM
Another great place to celebrate Christmas is our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. This is a favorite outdoor Christmas market since 16 years.
TOMBALL, TX
December 13-15, 2024
Weihnachtsmarkt Texas Style
Some 80 vendors will sell German Christmas items, arts and crafts, and more at this seasonal music/street festival and open air market set amid antique shops in the old town area and featuring hay rides and Christmas lights tours. Get into the festive spirit with Christmas musical acts and bands including Das ist Lustig and visit the German Tent featuring a beer garden serving Dunkles Bier (dark beer) and Glühwein (mulled wine). A Kinderfest including bungee-jumping and a petting zoo will provide fun for young visitors. Tomball’s sister city in Germany is Telgte: Tomball Sister City Organization
LOVETTSVILLE, VA
Dec 7, 2024
Christkindlmarkt
Coordinated by the Lovettsville German Society, this Christmas market celebrates both the town’s and Loudon County’s more than 250-year-old German heritage. All cultural activities organized by the Lovettsville German Society also aim to strengthen the relationship between Loudon County, VA, and its sister county of Main-Taunus-Kreis near Frankfurt in Germany’s central Hesse state.
CARLINVILLE, IL
Christmas in Carlinsville
First full weekend in December from Fr – Sun
We hosted our first Christmas Market festival on the town square in December 1990. The Market has retained its earlier romance by presenting bright, white tents lined with the arts and crafts of talented artisans, food vendors, trolley tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, costumed carolers and street performers, children’s activities, and other holiday attractions – all set amid the charm of Carlinville’s historic town square and its own special shops.
While it retains its focus on family fun in a romantic, small-town setting, the festival has grown in variety and reputation. The Christmas Market attracted nearly 11,000 visitors in 2010 and generates close to $1 million in local revenue.
SAVANNAH, GA
Nov 21-Dec 31, 2024
Plant Riverside Christmas Market
DES MOINES
Christkindl Market
Dec 5 – Dec 8, 2024.
Enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of the holidays as you participate in a 750-year-old tradition. Shop regional vendors selling old-world, hand-crafted products from wooden vendor stalls; enjoy lively performances of polka music, traditional dance and choirs in Yuletide Hall; participate in children’s activities; sip Glühwein (warm, mulled wine) and savor European beer.
CHRISTMAS MARKET FOOD SPECIALTIES
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German Beef Rouladen – Authentic Recipe
German Beef Rouladen (or beef rolls) is a very delicious and popular German dish. It is not only popular during the holidays, it is served for Sunday lunches when the whole family and friends get together. They are called in German “Rindsrouladen”.
The German beef Rouladen are filled with bacon, onions, mustard and pickles, and are wrapped in thin sliced beef.
Served with mashed potatoes or Spaetzle and red cabbage, and a glass of red wine makes a delicious German dinner. You can get German Style pickles from the US brand Kruegermann, many local supermarkets carry the German brand Hengstenberg, one of them is Big Lots. They carry a big jar of Hengstenberg German pickles. You will find German mustard and pickles especially during the Oktoberfest season. Happy Cooking!
Ingredients German Beef Rouladen
(serves 6)
– 1 1/2 pounds flank steak (calculate 1 piece each person)
You can get it already sliced at a German butcher. If not slice it as thin as possible, about 1 cm or 0.5 inches thick)
– Dijon mustard or German style mustard, enough to spread a thin layer on each piece
– 1/2 pound smoked bacon (Speck) cut in thin slice (per slice meat 1 slice speck)
– 4 medium sized onions
– 3-4 pickles (preferably German pickles like from Hengstenberg
– 2 1/2 cups water (as needed)
– red wine to taste, about 1/4 cup or more
– 2-3 tsp clarified butter
– 1 celery stalk
– heavy cream or crème fraiche for the gravy
– some dry red wine for the gravy – optional but adds a nice taste
salt, pepper, mild or sweet red pepper (paprika) to taste
Cooking Instructions
– Cut the meat in 6 rectangular pieces, 1 cm or 1/2 inches thick, pound the meat if it is too thick.
– Spice them with salt, pepper and red pepper (paprika) on both sides.
– Spread mustard on the spiced side.
– Place one thin sliced bacon stripe on top.
– Chop pickles and onions. The pickles can also be sliced very fine.
– Add onions and pickles on the meat, then roll the slice.
– Use sewing cotton or metal picks to prevent that they fall apart (don’t forget to remove them before serving).
– Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the rolls from all sides really well.
– Add celery leaves and another onion and quench it with water (or if you like you can use red wine instead).
– Put on the lid and let it simmer for at least 1 1/2 hours (the meat should be very tender and might need cook longer, depending on the meat).
Tip:
Turn Rouladen one time and add more liquid if needed. Important is that the rolls should be always covered with liquid so they won’t get dry.
Make The Gravy From Scratch
– Place the Rouladen on a plate, cover with a lid or foil, keep warm in the oven while making the gravy.
– Use the liquid with all ingredients, mix it very well, pour through a fine sieve.
– Mix, depending on how much liquid you have, 2-5 tbsp flour or potato/corn starch with a bit of cold water or red wine, add to the beef juice.
– Add some heavy cream or crème fraiche to the liquid.
– Bring gravy to a brief boil. Should the gravy not have thickened, add some more starch.
– Attention: Never use hot water with the starch otherwise it will clump.
If needed add some salt and pepper or 2 table spoon tomato paste (adds a nice darker color).
Tips
If you don’t want to make the gravy from scratch use some instant gravy and stir it up with some cream.
Serve it with mashed potatoes and vegetable (red cabbage or peas/carrots mix) or Spaetzle.
To save time for the next meal, make the double amount and freeze the rest (without the metal picks of course).
Instead using yarn to hold the rouladen together, you can use special rouladen skewers or rings that are available at Germanshop24.com.
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Classic German Apple Cake
There must be hundreds of apple cake recipes in Germany. Today I want to feature the Classic German apple Cake that w call in German “Gedeckter Apfelkuchen”. The cake is. made out of base cake (Mürbeteig, short cake), a filling and a top, decorated with almonds and cookies. It takes some time, about 1 hr and 45 min until it’s done but it’s worth it! Enjoy this cake with a nice cup of German coffee. Happy Baking!
Ingredients Classic German Apple Cake
Base Cake (Mürbeteig)
400 g flour
1 tsp baking powder
200 g butter
2 eggs
150 g sugar
1 dash salt
Filling
2.5 lbs apples
75 g raisins
2 tbsp rum or rum flavor
Juice from 1 lemon
1/4 liter apple juice (unsweetened)
75 g almond slivers
1-2 tbsp Vanilla pudding or cornstarch and vanilla extract (depends on how much liquid you get)
Glaze
50 g powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp lemon juice
powdered sugar for dusting and almond slices for decoration
Baking Instructions Classic German Apple Cake
Make Make Base Cake (Mürbeteig)
– Mix flour with baking powder
– Make flakes from the butter.
– Combine flour, butter, eggs and salt and swiftly knead with the hands until you get a smooth dough.
– Form to a ball, wrap in plastic foil and place for 30 min in fridge.
German Baking Mix for Streusel Cakes
Make the Apple Filling
– Soak raisins in rum (or apple juice with rum flavor)
– Peel apples, remove core, cut in quarters, then small pieces. Drizzle with lemon juice.
– Bring apple juice to a brief boil, add apple pieces and 50 g sugar. Let simmer for about 5 min on low heat.
– Mix pudding powder in some water, whisk well. Add to the apples. Bring to a brief boil (should have thickened the liquid).
– Add raisins and almonds, mix well.
– Pre-heat oven to 200 C / 390 F convection (350F regular oven).
– Leave some some dough to make some decorative shapes that are placed on top of the cake. For example roll the dough and cut out the shapes with a tiny cookie cutter.
– Roll 2/3 of the dough flat so you get a circle of 32 cm (12 inches) diameter.
– Grease a 26 cm (10 inches) springform and dust very well with flour.
– Place the circle on bottom of the spring form. Press dough around the rim.
– With a fork poke the dough several times.
– Add apples on top.
– For the top roll remaining dough to a circle with 10 inches diameter.
– Place this circle on top of apples.
– Poke with a fork several times.
– Bake for about 50-60 min.
– Bake the decorative forms for about 10 min.
Make the Glaze
– For the glaze mix powdered sugar and lemon juice until it’s very smooth.
– When cake is done spread a thin layer of the glaze over the top. Let dry.
– Dust with powdered sugar (optional).
– Decorate with sliced almonds and the cut out forms (picture shows leaves) before the glaze is solid.
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German Walnut Hearts Christmas Cookies
These German Walnut Hearts Christmas Cookies are a must bake for the holidays and Christmas. They contain walnuts, marzipan and are glazed with chocolate. These cookies are very easy to make and no special ingredients are needed. But it takes a while to make these cookies. Calculate 1-2 hours for making them. Happy Baking!
Ingredients German Walnut Hearts
(for about 30-40 cookies)
200 g butter
125 g powdered sugar
1 sachet vanilla sugar- Find it here –
– How to Make Vanilla Sugar –
1 egg yolk
60 g ground walnuts
300 g flour
400 g baking marzipan
powdered sugar for rolling the dough
apricot jam
400 g dark chocolate, semi-sweet or unsweetened
walnut halves for decoration
Baking Instructions Walnut Hearts
– Combine butter with powdered sugar, egg yolk, vanilla sugar and ground walnuts.
– Add the sieved flour and knead until you get a smooth dough. Form a ball and wrap in plastic.
– Let sit in fridge for 1 hour.
– Add flour on a baking board or smooth surface, roll the dough so you can cut out hearts, stars or round shapes.
– Pre-heat oven to 150 C or 300 F.
– Place cookies on a baking tray that is layered with parchment paper.
– Bake cookies for 15 – 20 min.
– When done let them cool off a bit.
– Knead the marzipan with powdered sugar, roll thin and cut out with the same form you used for the cookies.
– Brush on each cookie some jam, place the marzipan cookie on top.
– Melt chocolate in double boiler.
– Dip the surface into the chocolate or brush the chocolate on top. Latter might be easier.
– Decorate right away each cookie with half of a walnut.
VARIATION
You can make double decker cookies:
– On one base cookie add the jam, then marzipan cookie, more jam and add a cookie that had been dipped into chocolate.
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