Happy Saint Nikolaus - with a German Weckmann!

Looks like they want to be upside-down!

Today is December 6th, 2012 Saint Nikolaus!

I'm used to celebrate this with a German Weckmann

The traditional Weckmann is a sweet bread roll shaped into a gingerbread man form with raisin eyes and a white clay pipe in his mouth. The Weckmann can be purchased in the majority of German bakeries in regions where Saint Nikolaus's Day is celebrated or can be made at home. Here's a recipe to make your own Weckmann.

Ingredients:

1 cup milk
1/3 cup sweet butter
3 tablespoon (1/6 cup) shortening
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons real vanilla extract
1 grated lemon peel
1 bag rapid yeast (1/4 ounce)
3 tablespoon warm water
4 whole eggs
6 2/3 cups flour
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water for glazing

Preparation:

Mix yeast with warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Combine milk, butter, shortening, and sugar, in a saucepan and heat gently then set aside to cool. Place flour in a large bowl, make a well in the middle of the flour and pour yeast mixture into the well, cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Add milk mixture to flour and mix all the ingredients together. Knead into a ball, dust with flour and let rise for 45 minutes.

Roll dough and divide into 10 pieces to form into gingerbread men shaped Weckmänner. Place the Weckmänner on a large baking sheet covered with baking or wax paper, making sure to leave enough room between each shape. Let rise for a further 20 to 45 minutes.

Brush with egg and water mixture, decorate with raisins and dried cranberries for the eyes and buttons*

Bake at 325 to 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy your Weckmann!

If you have any questions feel free to shoot me an email at:

mommyofvcs@gmail.com

P.S.: If you're interested in making money posting recipes

I'm happy to tell you how!