Bavarian Archives — Days of Jay

German Strawberry Cream Torte

26th February 202013th July 2020 sweet-things, baking, Bavarian, German baking, cakes, German, strawberry

The first strawberries have started appearing in the markets, juicy and glossy, fragrant with the promise of summer and sun. Of course, as soon as I see strawberries I get a craving for that most summery of recipes: an Erdbeer Sahnetorte - a German Strawberry Cream Torte. While it’s much

Krapfen – German Carnival Doughnuts

19th February 202016th July 2020 Austrian, baking, Bavarian, sweet-things

It’s that time of year again, when ‘Fasching’ or Carnival in Germany reaches a week-long peak of festivities, partying and general frivolity before the gloomier days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday. The streets are littered with confetti and streamers and the Faschings-Narren (Carnival Jesters) pop up in the unlikeliest

Zimtsterne / Cinnamon Stars

14th December 201916th July 2020 baking, Bavarian, Christmas, sweet-things

Christmas baking in Germany is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I grew up in the land of Christmas puddings and pavlova, quite frankly, store bought more often than not, delicious, but nothing on the level of care and dedication Germans put into their utterly delightful Christmas biscuits or Plätzchen -

Homemade Soft Pretzels – the best Bavarian recipe!

3rd October 201917th July 2020 baking, Bavarian, light-bites

At the centre of any good Bavarian table, you will find a basket of that most beloved of baked goods, Homemade Soft Pretzels. Known locally as Brezn, this is comfort food of the highest order for all Bavarians and an indelible part of the local culture. This simple bread has

Obazda – Bavarian Cheese Spread

22nd August 201917th July 2020 Bavarian, light-bites, summer

It’s that time of year again, Munich is buzzing, the tourists are flooding into town, the Wiesn is covered in beer tents and roller coasters, that must mean that the mother of all celebrations, Oktoberfest is nearly upon us. Love it or hate it, the Oktoberfest is an absolute phenomenon.

Buchteln / Rohrnudeln

24th January 201719th November 2019 baking, Bavarian, sweet-things

The depths of January can be fairly gloomy in Munich, but the last few days we've had crystal clear, blue skies - with the resulting temperature drop meaning that I've been mostly appreciating the sunshine from the window, as well as dashes out to the markets to buy ingredients. I'm

Nußzopf

25th April 201611th July 2020 baking, Bavarian, sweet-things

I was working in a small village out of Munich the other day, and when I went out to buy lunch at the local bakery I stopped dead in my tracks - there, sitting in the counter window was such a glorious looking, braided bread, staring up at me, begging

Spargel with Sauce Hollandaise

24th April 201611th July 2020 Bavarian, main-event

Spring is heralded in Munich not only by the sudden explosion of green leaves and spring flowers, but by the arrival on every market stand of the the highly coveted spargel - or thick stems of white asparagus. While everybody has a favourite region or supplier, it is roundly considered