Giant German Printen cookies guard the entryway to the Christmas market. Even more closely guarded are German Printen recipes by the companies making them for generations.
My Mother-inLaw is an Aachenerin. Meaning, she was born in Aachen. Consequently, she loves Printen. When in town, we pick up her favorite variety.
At holiday time, the windows of the German Printen shops this time of year are especially spectacular.
I love visiting Aachen in general. It’s a beautiful city, founded by Charlemagne and there are many interesting sites to see.
The Dom is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with breathtaking stained glass windows. Every German king in history was crowned in this Church. You can see the throne upstairs. My husband admitted to once sneaking a sit on this surprisingly plain marble chair. He went to University and medical school in Aachen. Also, because his mom’s side of the family is from there, I guess he thought he was entitled. But he said it was extremely uncomfortable.
A side note:
It’s a city that doles out two prizes every year. One is the globally prestigious Charlemagne Medal awarded to an individual for achievement on behalf of the EU. The Charlemagne Medal is for community, humanity, and peace. Past recipients include Václav Havel, Bill Clinton, and Pope John Paul II. The other award is called the “Order Against a Brutish Lack of Humor”. It is handed out to a public figure who does their job well while being jolly.
German Printen
Additionally, I dipped half the cookie in melted white, milk, and dark chocolate. Then I rolled them in chopped almonds, sprinkles, and chopped fruit gelees.
TIP:
German Printen
Ingredients
- 2 cups beet syrup*
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 +1/2 teaspoons potash**
- 1 tablespoon dark spiced rum
- 2/3 cup rock candy sugar smashed into small pieces
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup candied orange peel
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon clove powder
- 1 teaspoon anise powder
- 2+3/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup syrup and 1/2 water mixed together for brushing the cookies
- Chocolate, nuts, sprinkles, jellies for dipping (optional)
Instructions
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Whisk water into beet syrup and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Set aside and cool slightly.
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Dissolve potash into the spiced rum.
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In a large bowl combine all ingredients on the list above up until the flour. Mix until just combined.
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Knead in the flour.
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Wrap in plastic and leave in a cool, dry place for 2 days.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Turn out the dough out a lightly floured surface. Lightly flour a rolling pin as well and roll out. Cut out shapes using a rectangle shaped cutter.
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Transfer to two parchment-lined baking sheets and bake for 15 minutes.
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Let cool one minute after removing from oven and move to wire racks to finish cooling.
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When the Printen has cooled, brush with sugar water mixture.
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Leave the printed on the rack until the syrup water coating has dried completely.
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If you like, decorate further with nuts, melted chocolate, etc.
Recipe Notes
* You can substitute dark corn syrup
** You can substitute baking soda
Like this German Printen recipe? Try some of my other German Inspired Christmas Cookie Recipes:
7 comments
Maybe it's because I was born in Aachen why I'm truly addicted to almost any kind of sweets… 🙂 And Aachener Printen are my very favourite cookies in pre Christmas time.
Today, I don't live in Aachen any longer and thus I order Printen online, directly from the famous original manufacturer: http://www.lambertz-shop.de
This may be of interest for any international Printen lover, since they are shipping their products world wide! Somewhat costly, but if one orders the supply for the entire neighborhood, it may pay off. 😉
thank you! my son and I just returned from a trip to Germany (our third in three years) during which we took a day trip to Aachen. We LOVED the printen from Nobis bakery. I brought some home with me and I am trying not to eat them all up in a few days. I am happy to find your recipe. Vielen dank!
You're welcome. Aachen is a special city. Enjoy!
Hi Lora, My Christmas dream is to enter a market guarded by large edible cookies. I enjoyed reading about the history of Aachen especially about your husband's family. I know I would like Printen cookies as they contain all the ingredients, especially spices that I love. I noticed you posted many wonderful holiday inspired recipes this month, thanks so much for sharing such an interesting part of the world. Happy holidays to you and your family, Patty
My father's wife is german and they love to explore the Christmas markets. I've heard so much about them and would love to check them out. Wonderful cookies too!
Intriguing! Yes, as Deeba says we love discovering new, local, specialty treats and these actually look quite yummy! Your little history of Aachen is fascinating and the market is so pretty and looks much more traditional than the cheap Xmas market here in Nantes! Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous 2011 – and lots of perfect macarons! xo
Printen Printen printen…another new discovery, and another fun baking trip. The market reminds me of one we visited when we were in the UK last year. Gorgeous!! Hope Christmas was MERRY, and that 2011 is fabulous in every way!