Lexi Webster
Christmas in Austria is celebrated on the 24th of December, and the country has many unique traditions, including Christmas markets, Advent Singing, and Krampuslauf festivities. A key part of Austrian Christmas is, of course, the food, and there are many delicious treats to enjoy, including biscuits, cakes, pastries, and a variety of special Christmas breads. One such bread is Kletzenbrot, a traditional Austrian Christmas fruit loaf made with dried pears, figs, dates, and raisins, and spiced with cinnamon, coriander, cloves, and anise. Another is Stollen, a light and fluffy cake with candied fruits and a delicate almond aroma, which has been a Christmas staple in Austria for over 700 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kletzenbrot, Stollen |
| Other names | Christmas fruit bread, Christmas fruit loaf, Christbrot |
| Ingredients | Flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, buttermilk, prunes, dates or figs, raisins, nuts, eggs, quark, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon peel, almonds, rum, bitter almond flavouring, potato starch |
| Preparation time | 1 hour |
| Baking temperature | 350°F for 45 minutes or 170°C for 25 minutes |
| Region | Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Vienna, Vorarlberg |
| Accompaniments | Gingerbread, Sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot jam) |
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What You'll Learn
Kletzenbrot: a Christmas fruit loaf
Kletzenbrot, or "dried pear bread", is a traditional Austrian Christmas fruit loaf. The loaf consists of a fruit-only centre covered by a thin layer of lightly spiced rye and wheat dough. The fruit typically includes dried pears, figs, dates, and raisins. Other ingredients include nuts, prunes, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and buttermilk.
Kletzenbrot is said to be quite complicated to make, with many steps involved, but it can still be completed in an afternoon. The fruit and nuts are boiled with rum and water before being added to the dough. The dough is then baked in a greased and floured tube pan. The scent of freshly baked Christmas cakes and pastries is said to be very special in Austria.
In the pre-Christmas period, biscuits and Stollen (a light and fluffy cake with candied fruits and almonds) are also very popular in Austria. Stollen, or "Christbrot" (Christmas bread), is made with flour, yeast, and water, and its shape is said to resemble the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Christmas in Austria is celebrated on December 24, and children write letters to Christkind, a young girl with a Christ-like nature, who is said to be the child of Jesus with golden hair and angel wings.
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Stollen: a light and fluffy cake
Stollen, a light and fluffy cake, is a traditional Austrian Christmas bread. The cake is said to be reminiscent of the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. It is made from flour, yeast and water, and often includes dried fruits, candied fruits, and nuts. The recipe has been around for more than 700 years and is a must-have during Christmas in Austria.
The process of making Stollen begins with blending all the dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder, and baking soda. The next step is to slowly add buttermilk to form a smooth dough. Nuts and fruits can then be stirred in. The dough is then greased and shaped into a loaf before being placed in a pan or on a baking tray lined with baking paper. The cake is baked at a high temperature for a short time, and then the temperature is reduced for the remainder of the baking process.
The aroma of Stollen is delicate, with hints of almond and lemon. The cake is often enhanced with dried fruits, making it a sweet treat. The shape of the cake is said to resemble a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, giving it a unique appearance.
Stollen has a long history, dating back to the 14th century when it was known as "Christbrot" or "Christmas bread". Over time, it has become an integral part of Austrian Christmas traditions, with its sweet taste and fluffy texture being enjoyed by many during the festive season.
In addition to Stollen, Austria has other traditional Christmas breads and treats, such as Kletzenbrot, a fruit bread made with dried pears, figs, dates, and raisins. Kletzenbrot is a popular choice for those who prefer a more fruit-laden loaf. However, Stollen remains a classic and well-loved part of Austrian Christmas celebrations.
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Gingerbread: a spiced Christmas treat
Gingerbread is a staple of Christmas in Austria, where the festive season is filled with the scent of freshly baked cakes and pastries. One Austrian Christmas tradition is the making of gingerbread, a spiced treat combining honey, cinnamon and fragrant spices. The smell is said to embody Christmas.
One Austrian Christmas treat is Kletzenbrot, a traditional Christmas fruit loaf. The name means 'dried pear bread' and it is made with a variety of dried fruits, including pears, figs, dates and raisins. The fruit is mixed with a spiced, yeasted dough, which can be made with either wheat or rye flour. The loaf is then brushed with a mixture of boiled water, potato starch and sugar.
Another Austrian Christmas bread is the classic Stollen, which has been a part of Christmas celebrations for over 700 years. It is said that the shape of the loaf represents the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes. The bread is made with flour, yeast and water, and is often enhanced with dried fruits and nuts. It is a light and fluffy cake with a delicate almond aroma.
In the pre-Christmas period, biscuits and Stollen are very popular. One biscuit enjoyed in Austria at Christmas time is the Vanillekipferl, a vanilla and orange-flavoured biscuit.
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Regional specialties: roast goose, raclette, smoked sausage
Roast goose, raclette, and smoked sausage are all regional specialties in Austria during Christmas.
Roast Goose
Roast goose is a typical Christmas dish in Austria, often served with red cabbage and dumplings. In Burgenland, it is traditional to serve roast goose with cabbage and dumplings on Christmas Eve. In Styria, game is also popular during Christmas, with steaks of wild boar or venison prepared with a sauce, red cabbage, and dumplings.
Raclette
Raclette is a Swiss invention that has become a festive favourite in Austria. It is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese made specifically for melting and has a bold aroma. The traditional way to prepare raclette involves cutting a whole wheel of cheese in half and heating it over a fire, scraping the melted cheese onto a plate. Nowadays, tabletop electric grills are commonly used. Various ingredients can be paired with raclette, including meats, vegetables, and bread. In Vorarlberg, raclette cheese is a popular dish on the Christmas Eve table. Raclette-bread, a smaller version of raclette served on bread, can also be found at Christmas markets.
Smoked Sausage
Smoked sausage is another popular Christmas Eve dish in Austria, especially in Carinthia, where it is served with dark bread. In Tyrol, sausage and pasta soup are served, followed by a hearty pork roast.
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Christmas markets: Christkindlmarkt, Advent Singing
Christmas in Austria is filled with delightful treats, including traditional Christmas breads and cakes. One such bread is the Stollen, a light and fluffy cake with a delicate almond aroma and candied fruits. This bread has been a Christmas staple in Austria for over 700 years, with its origins dating back to the 14th century. It is said that the shape of the Stollen cake represents the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Another Austrian Christmas bread is the Kletzenbrot, a fruit bread made with flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, buttermilk, and an assortment of dried fruits and nuts. This bread is a delightful treat during the festive season.
Now, let's delve into the magical atmosphere of the Christkindlmarkt, one of Austria's renowned Christmas markets. The Munich Christkindlmarkt, taking place annually in the heart of the city at Marienplatz and Rindermarkt, is a true wonderland. With over 130 stalls selling an array of goods and delicious food, it's a feast for the senses. The market runs from November 25 to December 24, filling the air with festive cheer.
The Christkindlmarkt is not just about shopping; it's an immersive experience. Advent music plays a pivotal role, with live performances by wind ensembles, choirs, and parlor musicians. The Rathausbalkon, or town hall balcony, sets the stage for these musical delights, creating a magical backdrop to the market. One unique tradition is the Krampus Run, where around 300 Krampuses, Perchten, and Klause run from Sendlinger Straße to the Old Town Hall, adding a touch of playful fright to the festivities.
For those seeking a truly enchanting experience, the International Advent Singing in Vienna is a must-attend event. Held in the festively decorated ballroom of Vienna City Hall, this event showcases over 90 choirs from Austria and beyond. Each Advent weekend, from Friday to Sunday, their harmonious voices fill the air with Advent and Christmas songs from every corner of the globe. It's an event that truly captures the spirit of the season, inviting visitors to embrace contemplation and festive joy.
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Frequently asked questions
Christmas bread in Austria goes by the name of Kletzenbrot. It is a type of fruit bread, packed with dried fruits like prunes, pears, figs, dates, and raisins. The dough is cooked with sugar and rum, and sometimes nuts are added, creating a moist, squidgy centre.
Austrians enjoy a variety of foods during the Christmas season. Some popular choices include roasted chestnuts, bratkartoffeln (roasted potato wedges), Sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot jam), and bread dumplings, or knödel. Pumpkin soup is also a popular choice during the autumn and winter months.
Stollen is a type of light and fluffy cake with a long tradition in Austria, especially during Christmas. It is made with flour, yeast, and water, and often includes dried fruits, candied fruits, and almonds. The shape of the cake is said to resemble the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Austrians enjoy a variety of festive drinks during the Christmas season. Hot glühwein, a mix of wine, cinnamon, and sugar, is a popular choice, along with glühmost (hot mulled cider), kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic punch), and various Weihnachtspunsch (Christmas punch) varieties. These drinks are often served in festive mugs shaped like boots or hearts.
