Another article featuring Munich's Oktoberfest, but from a different angle this week - Hearts.

OKTOBERFESTHERZEN- Gingerbread Cookie Hearts - to be precise.

Just as it should be in what is basically a "super sized" version of the old traditional Bavarian harvest festival, there are cookies for sale. But these are heart shaped gingerbread cookies decorated with all types of mottos, and they are an unmissable part of the calorific food already on offer at Oktoberfest.

While strong beer ensures willing voices to join in with the continuous "musical" background, including a catchy and popular song which shares it's title with one of the most seen cookie heart mottos, WEIL I DI MOG - "Because I Like You". And there is a link to the song sung in Bavarian dialect, together with an English translation, in the article.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178129.asp

And if all this makes you feel inspired to bake your own "Oktoberfest", (or any other occasion), hearts, here is an authentic German recipe for the gingerbread cookie dough.....with just a bit of a "potted history".

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art174472.asp




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Francine McKenna-Klein, German Culture Editor

http://germanculture.bellaonline.com