St. Nicholas Day Tradition and Pastries ( Weckmänner )

Updated at: Wed, 29 Nov 2023 13:38:24 GMT

Step 1

Stir 1 pouch of yeast (7 grams or ½ teaspoon) together with barely warm milk and allow to sit for 5 minutes to bubble up or 'bloom.'

Step 2

Gently stir in 1 ½ cups (180 grams) of the flour to create a starter dough. Cover and allow to rest in a warm spot in your house for 2 hours (the longer it's allowed to rise, the better the flavor development).

Step 3

Now add in the remaining flour (320 grams or 2 ½ cups) and remaining yeast (1 pouch/7 grams/½ teaspoon ), egg, butter, sugar, vanilla, lemon peel and salt and and knead until you end up with a smooth dough that peels away from the sides of the bowl. You may need to add just a touch more flour.

Step 4

Shape the Weckmänner by first rolling out the dough thinly and cutting them out OR shape them by hand. When cutting them out, I use either this cookie cutter or make a template from parchment paper (about 6 to 8 inches in size) to cut around.

Step 5

Place them on a baking sheet prepped with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (180° Celsius).

Step 6

Cover with a clean linen towel and allow to rise one final time until doubled in size (about 30 minutes).

Step 7

Whisk together egg yolk and milk, then brush onto the Weckmänner.

Step 8

Use raisins for eyes and buttons and pearl sugar for clothes or whatever your heart desires. This part of course is what kids have the most fun with.

Step 9

Bake in batches on the middle rack for about 18 to 20 minutes OR bake at once in separate sheets and rotate them halfway through baking. If baking two trays at once, they may take just an extra minute or two. Enjoy right away.

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