continental christmas treats

These saffron-infused, raisin-studded buns actually hail from Sweden and make a delicious festive snack at Christmas.

St Lucia buns

250 milliliters/9fl oz milk

saffron

unsalted butter

bread

salt

sachet instant yeast

grams/1¾oz caster sugar

grams/3½oz quark cheese

vegetable oil, for greasing (optional)

raisins

Lebkuchen are traditional German Christmas cookies. Whether you make traditional circles or cut into stars and hearts, friends and family will love these Christmas biscuits. 

You can decorate them in so many ways as well. My favourites are chocolate covered, closely followed by a thin icing - but if you like thick icing don't let me stop you!

Lebkuchen

runny honey

butter

flour

100 grams/3½oz ground almonds

tsp baking powder

¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda

cinnamon

ginger

allspice

nutmeg

½ tsp ground cloves (optional)

cocoa powder (optional)

½ unwaxed orange, finely grated zest and juice

sea salt

grams/3½oz icing sugar

water

200 grams/7 ounces dark, milk

It’s hard to explain the precise nature of these: they are light, almost like doughnuts, but made of scented, sweet air rather than batter. Strictly speaking, you shouldn’t leave them to stand, once they’ve been made. But pleasurable though it is to eat them as soon as you can – once they’re out of the pan – I have found they’re fine for a while in a low oven. The contrast between outside and inside is lost rather, but not so much as you gain in the convenience of being able to make them ahead.

Sambuca kisses

free-range egg

100 grams/3½oz ricotta

grams/1½oz plain flour

tsp sambuca liqueur

tsp sugar

tsp grated orange zest

vegetable or corn oil,

It’s hard to explain the precise nature of these: they are light, almost like doughnuts, but made of scented, sweet air rather than batter. 

Strictly speaking, you shouldn’t leave them to stand once they’ve been made. But pleasurable though it is to eat them as soon as you can – once they’re out of the pan – I have found they’re fine for a while in a low oven. The contrast between outside and inside is lost rather, but not so much as you gain in the convenience of being able to make them ahead.

Top 3 continental christmas treats recipes from across the web

The most viewed continental christmas treats recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

St Lucia buns

Lebkuchen

Sambuca kisses

Top 3 continental christmas treats recipes from across the web

The most viewed continental christmas treats recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

St Lucia buns

Lebkuchen

Sambuca kisses

The most viewed continental christmas treats recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine