Top Ten Edible Reasons to go to the Christmas Markets in Germany: these should have you booking flights within the hour!
Last December, I took an unexpected trip to Cologne, Germany, one of the many places in Europe which hold Christmas Markets. Let’s just say that it was difficult for me to contain myself once I set eyes upon the beautiful, magical scene of red stalls and twinkling lights below the cathedral. I could only imagine all the treasures which awaited my discovery! Mostly I was thinking about food.
Here are the top ten foods I enjoyed immensely at the German Christmas markets, in no particular order. I strongly recommend visiting Germany in December, whether it’s this year or sometime in the future.
The Top 10 Edible Reasons to go to the
Christmas Markets in Germany
1. Bratwurst
Yes, you can get bratwurst in Germany all the time, but they’re not always cooked outside
on grills over hot coals.
2. Mushrooms with Garlic Sauce
Can I just tell you that this is simply “awesomeness in a bowl”? My version of German market mushrooms.
3. Market Plates
When you’re at the markets, there’s no need to step foot inside a restaurant if you don’t want to. Make a copycat charcuterie and cheese board using these wooden boards.
4. Raclette at the Christmas Markets in Germany
No words. Just tears of joy. Check out my raclette and potato recipe.
5. Baked Potatoes with Herb Butter
This was my dinner one evening and I was in potato heaven.
6. Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce)
Warm and wonderful; you absolutely cannot go to Germany and not have apfelstrudel!
7. Baumkuchen (Tree Cake)
The most intriguing way of making a cake that I have ever seen. And it tastes fantastic, to boot!
8. Waffles at the Christmas Markets in Germany
One of the things I loved most was not having to ask if they use real cream. OMG, yes! I have a few waffle recipes, but my favorite is probably the proper Liege waffle recipe.
9. Zimtsterne
While I don’t have a picture of the German Zimtsterne cookies from the market, I do have a recipe for you for these naturally gluten free, meringue-topped German Christmas biscuits!
10. Stollen
Last, but certainly not least, I present to you a perfect specimen of Stollen.
Bonus: Hot Chocolate
So, technically “potable” and not “edible”, but how could I leave this out?
We’re talking real hot chocolate, people, and real cream–again!
There are many more market foods which you may fall in love with which are not on my list, as I was not able to try everything I wanted to try, but the German Christmas markets are definitely a food lover’s paradise, and I plan to return, over and over again.
Some more food photos, for those of you who can’t get enough…
Don’t know how this compares to Scottish Smoked Salmon, but it looked great!
I could have eaten half of these myself.
These seemed to be the “hottest” item going, at the market (no pun intended) as the lines for these were the longest and everyone appeared to be eating them more than anything else. However, I didn’t find them very appealing as they were too greasy for me (trust me I have no problem with most fried food), but I also found the combination with applesauce not to be to my liking. However, that’s what is so wonderful about experiencing other cultures and their food–it’s all different or else we’d all be eating the exact same thing!
As you can see, there’s something for everyone at the Christmas markets in Germany, and as this kind stranger let me know–it’s all good!
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[…] Yet before Christmas, I had gone and come back already. If you were following along three years ago, this may sound familiar. My husband, an audio engineer, had an unexpected job pop up in Cologne, Germany in early December in 2013. He’d texted me, “How about Christmas shopping in Germany?” which I’d initially ignored as I thought he was texting in some code. If you’re interested, this is the post I wrote before going and after returning. […]
[…] so we were really looking forward to seeing it again. The last time I had visited was during the Christmas markets and as you can see, just for the food, I highly recommend going to the Christmas markets in […]
my mother used to make the best applestrudel,but I was told in Germany it was an Austrian recipe from dad,s side of the family but that apple strudel shown looks very like mom,s .where in Germany did you get it. I was inwilhlemshave,gunnstadt,heidelberg,berlin papensburg bakies looking and I couldn,t find it. I need some so I guess the Christmas time markets must be done. german Canadian,no speek it but my stomach loves the german food,so part of me is german
Hi Don, this was in Cologne, but I’ve had excellent strudel in Boppard, as small town along the Rhine. Yes, apfelstrudel is an Austrian dessert, but it is very popular in Germany. I would love to make the authentic version, but I don’t know if I can actually roll out the dough properly!
[…] I had such a fabulous time for many reasons: it was my first time at the German Christmas markets, two cousins came to visit me while I was there, and the food was fantastic. I even did a post highlighting The Top 10 Edible Reasons to go to the German Christmas Markets. […]
Oh my Heavens! You didn’t put Gluhwein on the list! Did you try it? My husband and my boys and I lived in Germany for 3 years, and we so looked forward to these Christmas Markets every year. They are one of our fondest memories. We visited those in several different cities but always loved the one in our town the best, Wiesbaden. We all LOVED the potato pancakes and the applesauce, but my husband’s favorite part was the Gluhwein. It is warm, mulled wine served in commemorative mugs–all the markets had the same mugs; brown ceramic with the name of the city and the year stamped on them. You bought your first mugfull for 4 marks (yes, I lived there before Euros), and as you wandered up and down the street enjoying the sites, you stopped periodically for refills for 2 marks. He kept the mugs and every year the collection comes out. Wonderful, wonderful memories!
Hi Stacy! Oh trust me, I had the gluhwein, several times! As I put “edible” reasons and crossed the line by including the hot chocolate, I really didn’t want to put another drink on the list, but I agree: it’s a huge reason to go! I came home with so many different mugs from all the different markets I went to. They still do the same thing as far as charging a deposit on the mug, and you forfeit it if you want to keep it, which I did. I can’t wait to go back! CC
ntime You go to the Christmas Market try the Gluehwein.It is a hot Redwein with a verry good arome, it is bruhed with Cinnamen annis many other good seasonings.it will You warm You up from the insid out.
I did! I had it last year, Anita! Loved it! :)
Thank you, Tausend Dank – this is the best time to visit Germany. I am so homesick right now, ich will nach Hause :(
Oh, I’m so sorry, Marion! I totally understand that feeling as I was born in Scotland, and even feel that way about Italy as my family is there and we used to go every summer when I was a little girl. I hope you are able to get home soon!
I could totally eat my way through that everything looks delicious, except the cold lard, I’m with you, love to cook and bake with it but eating it cold, no thanks. How beautiful it is in Germany!