3 Sweet Delicacies of European Christmas Markets – Advent Travels to Enjoy Pancakes and Donuts

Trees still are full of leaves and the Christmas are still three months away. However, nothing makes cold and cloudy days better than smell of mulled wine and cinammon on golden donuts. So, why should you wait till the Advent time. You can have a cup of mulled wine right now and plan what pastry you'll taste on which of the TOP10 Christmas markets in Europe.

When we went through our list of favourite Christmas delicacies, we applied the paradigm that the love goes through the stomach. We really love these specialties and we can promise you that you too will have joy of eating these.

Poffertjes in the Netherlands

In the Czech Republic Saint Nicholas with an angel and a devil visit children on saint's evening. In the Netherlands, Black Peter accompanies the saint. This mythical figure also gives presents to children. Dutch children also love to eat delicious mini pancakes (not only in the Christmas time). These mini pancakes are called poffertjes.

Poffertjes are sold fresh, topped with sugar and butter or sweet syrup. The resulting meal is very tasty and makes one remember childhood. While children merrily eat theri pancakes, grown-ups can warm themselves with a shot of genever, a Dutch version of gin, or with unique cinnamon liquor.   

Oliebol in Belgium

The famous "oil balls" will make your taste buds feel true joy. These balls look very similar to Czech-style donuts. However, they are made of raisin dough and immediately after frying they are coated in sugar.

The oil balls are traditionally made on the New Year's Eve. However, they became very popular on Belgian Christmas market. Donuts make you feel full very quickly. One piece is just enough. Children mostly prefer oliebollen filled with nut cream.

Beignets in France  

Lastly we would like to take you for a tasting of another golden fried beuty. Fried donuts are popular in France too during the Christmas market. Their origin dates back to the Roman Empire. Beignetes were mostly on Tusday or on the Ash Wednesday which started off the 40 days of fasting until the Easter.

Today, these are mostly made of yeast dough or batter. Foodies eat it while still hot. Sometimes these can come with filling or in the shape of pancakes. For instance, apple pancakes with cider (Beignets aux pommes) are very popular in Normandy. Beignetes are a pastry you will love very much. So, make a sightseeing trip to Paris before Christmas and enjoy some beignetes filled with raspberries or apples.

Source: Adéla Vavřačová, Radynacestu.cz