Aachener Printen Cookie
In Aachen, Germany they have their own indigenous cookie called the ‘Aachener Printen’ or PRINTEN in short. It’s similar to the Lebkuchen or gingerbreads found in German speaking countries, as well as the speculaas doll cookies in the Netherlands. The latter is harder though.
Globalisation has its own drawbacks nowadays which explains why this cookie is part of the protected designation of origin products, which means only bakeries and cookie manufacturers in and around Aachen can use the Printen name commercially. In fact, many epicurean products in Europe are protected by this law, among others, wines, cheeses, olives, sausages, and many more. It does makes sense though because would you, the consumer with the discriminating taste buy real Gouda cheese made in India? Or Chardonnay locally grown and bottled in the Philippines?
This seemingly ubiquitous Aachener Printen cookie is very popular during the Christmas season and I am glad to report as well that it is such a joy to see gourmet and bakery shops with dazzling window displays filled to the brim with chocolate cookies and Christmas trimmings in Aachen. The whole appetizing scenery before us have totally enriched our Christmas Market visit and the holiday feeling experience in the air.
On other matters, we have come to the conclusion that while the Dutch prefer to nibble on plain chocolates during the holiday season, the Germans delight in their gingerbread cookies coated with chocolate, nuts or frosted icing.
On the right foto is the typical frosted Lebkuchen (gingerbread) in Germany sold during Christmas while Printen on the other hand is another type of Lebkuchen only found in Aachen and in the surroundings.
Blondine and I bought from this Printen shop. They have such a yummy window display.
They say that these Printen figure cookies may originate in Dinant, see my entry here about Couque de Dinant in Belgium, however the figure style cookie can also be found in the Netherlands, i.e. speculaaspop (speculaas dolls) during Sinterklaas. Did you see the fat angel in the middle foto? Cute.
One of the many gorgeous Aachener Printen cookies window displays.
Right foto is a stage at the back of the Aachen cathedral with the Printen dolls as decorations.
Merchandising is big business during Christmas.
Globalisation has its own drawbacks nowadays which explains why this cookie is part of the protected designation of origin products, which means only bakeries and cookie manufacturers in and around Aachen can use the Printen name commercially. In fact, many epicurean products in Europe are protected by this law, among others, wines, cheeses, olives, sausages, and many more. It does makes sense though because would you, the consumer with the discriminating taste buy real Gouda cheese made in India? Or Chardonnay locally grown and bottled in the Philippines?This seemingly ubiquitous Aachener Printen cookie is very popular during the Christmas season and I am glad to report as well that it is such a joy to see gourmet and bakery shops with dazzling window displays filled to the brim with chocolate cookies and Christmas trimmings in Aachen. The whole appetizing scenery before us have totally enriched our Christmas Market visit and the holiday feeling experience in the air.
On other matters, we have come to the conclusion that while the Dutch prefer to nibble on plain chocolates during the holiday season, the Germans delight in their gingerbread cookies coated with chocolate, nuts or frosted icing.
On the right foto is the typical frosted Lebkuchen (gingerbread) in Germany sold during Christmas while Printen on the other hand is another type of Lebkuchen only found in Aachen and in the surroundings.
Blondine and I bought from this Printen shop. They have such a yummy window display.
They say that these Printen figure cookies may originate in Dinant, see my entry here about Couque de Dinant in Belgium, however the figure style cookie can also be found in the Netherlands, i.e. speculaaspop (speculaas dolls) during Sinterklaas. Did you see the fat angel in the middle foto? Cute.
One of the many gorgeous Aachener Printen cookies window displays. Right foto is a stage at the back of the Aachen cathedral with the Printen dolls as decorations.
Merchandising is big business during Christmas.
