German Culture Site
	Francine McKenna BellaOnline's German Culture Editor

'Three Kings Day' Cake Recipe
Dreikoenigstag, Epiphany, signals the end of the Christmas season and in Germany one of many traditions for the day is a Three King's Cake, with the crowning of the lucky finder of a Christkind figure, or dried white bean, in their portion.

Authentic German Gingerbread Recipe
It makes delicious spicy ginger cookies, Valentines Day or Oktoberfest Hearts, perhaps a Witches Cottage, Gingerbread Men, Christmas decorations, even a Lantern which gives both light and aroma, but whatever you create with this German Lebkuchen, Gingerbread, recipe it will always be delicious.

Feuerzangenbowle, a Traditional Hot Punch Recipe
Germany’s Feuerzangenbowle, Flaming Fire Tongs Punch, made with red wine, rum and sugar flambé, is a traditional New Year’s drink as well as a winter and seasonal favorite.

German Caramelized Almonds Recipe
Caramelized Almonds are delicious candied almonds eaten throughout the year in Germany. Freshly cooked and bought from festival or street side stalls, or made at home. While at Christmas, 'Weihnachtsmaerkte, Gluehwein and Gebrannte Mandeln' are an unbeatable combination.

German Christmas Cookie Recipes
Vanilla Crescents and Cinnamon Stars are two of the most popular Weihnachts plaetzen, the traditional Holiday Cookies, or Weihnachtskekse, that are a central, and indispensable, part of Germany's Christmas culture.

German Nut Cookie Recipes
For anyone who likes nuts here are two quick, simple and delicious cookie recipes. Classics from "Oma's kitchen" they are favorites found on any dish of German "Weihnachtsplaetzchen", Christmas Cookies, but are enjoyed all year round.

German Specialty, Roast Goose Recipe
"Koelner Martinsgans" is a delicious St. Martin's Goose specialty from Cologne. Roast Goose, Red Cabbage and Dumplings are enjoyed from autumn onwards, not only for the Christmas, New Year's Eve and St. Martin's Day festivities, and here is a recipe with the traditional side dishes.

Seasonal and Holiday Drink Recipes
Warming winter drinks are found everywhere during Germany's cold weather season, not only for the Weihnachten and New Year celebrations when "Gluehwein" and "Christmas/New Year" are timeless combinations. From Gluehwein to Pharisaeer there are many traditional drinks to try.

Speculaas, the Original 'Airline Cookie' recipe
Speculaas are spiced caramelized cookies found everywhere in Germany, from accompanying that 'cup of coffee' at the hair stylists to a pavement café. But they have been part of St. Nicholas and Christmas holiday traditions for centuries, long before they became known as the less spicey 'Biscoff'

Traditional Christmas Cookie Recipes
Baking Weihnachts Plaetzchen is just one of Germany’s centuries old traditional Christmas customs. Holiday cookie recipes vary from region to region and family to family, but during Advent, even amongst those who do not follow the Christian faith, few homes will be without their Weihnachtskekse.

Weckmann, A Bread Man Recipe
Germany's St. Martin's Day and St. Nicholas celebrations would not be complete without having bought or baked a traditional sweet yeast dough "Bread Man". A specialty for the days leading to the holidays also known as a Stutenkerl, Nikolaus, Klausenmann or Weckmann.