I’m sure everyone knows this type of cake here in Germany. You can get this cake in a lot of German bakeries and supermarkets. When I was a kid, they sold slices of this Chocolate Spice Cake with Cinnamon Glaze at school in the cafeteria/kiosk. Some might think this type of cake is typical for Christmas, because of the spices used, but I think this cake tastes great all year round. It’s so good!
Around Christmas, there is no way to get around this spice mix when baking – a Gingerbread Spice Mix can be used for many baked goods. Many supermarkets sell the spice mix these days, but with a few common spices you can mix your own blend quickly and easily at home. Without gingerbread spice, the Christmas season would be only half as delicious ;)
A nice dinner without a delicious dessert is not quite perfect – at least in my opinion. I need something sweet at the end of a dinner… but it does not have to be a big cake or anything like that. A simple layer dessert is great! Something like this Vegan Chocolate Mousse with Cherry Compote, for example. It’s quick and easy to prepare and can be made in advance ;)
Lebkuchen (aka. Gingerbread) is an absolute classic for Advent and Christmas. The best-known example in this category is probably Elisenlebkuchen. Delicious Lebkuchen that is made without flour. These Mini Elisenlebkuchen (from Nuremberg) are very popular here in our home because they are so small and a great snack in between meals – I know you shouldn’t snack too much but who cares around Christmas ;)
Christmas and Christmas cookies go together like a Christmas tree and the presents underneath. One would only be half as good without the other ;) Baking the same Christmas cookies every year is a bit boring though. That’s why I love to adapt classic recipes from time to time. Like I did with these Chocolate Biscoff Speculoos Spitzbuben. Based on classic sandwich cookies with a jam filling these cookies here got a little update with chocolate and Biscoff spread. So good. ;)
Advent is the time for Christmas cookies – it all starts on the first of December and ends whenever all the cookies are gone. If you bake a lot like me that can be in late January ;P Every family has their traditions, and everyone has their favorite Christmas cookies. The amount of cookies to choose from is pretty much endless. Today I’ve taken a traditional recipe for Spitzbuben and modified the cookies a little. You can call them Orange Funfetti Spitzbuben now. Not your traditional Christmas cookies I have to admit ;P
I love my job, but in between I love to bake and try new things in the kitchen. A lot of my friends and colleagues encourage me to bake - for a very simple reason: they get the leftovers - and it seems they like it most of the time ;) 
