DREAMING OF AUSTRIA/GERMANY AT CHRISTMAS

My first Christmas away from home was barely white, with a lovely family in Augsburg, Germany. What I remember was that they loved to watch Sissi, like we used to watch the Sound of Music during the holiday.

I've been back to Austria and Germany since, but never at Christmas. I have attended German school and been to a local Christmas market. Christmas makes me think of treats from these roots. So I bought the movie, and watched it with two German speakers. I made Linzertorte for the first time, and the spices were lovely, like gingerbread.

I am sure there is nicer way to make the lattice, but it was delicious!

I made pretzels, with Alton Brown's recipe, and was very pleased with the upgraded design.

Check out the double braid on the middle left. Those were less traditional, but my personal favorite.

Salzburger Mozartkugeln and marzipan chocolates by Neideregger Lübeck. Ready for Sissi watching.