Speculaas is a type of Dutch Spice cookie traditionally baked for St Nicholas’ Eve in Belgium (December 6) and the Netherlands (December 5). Spices used in Speculaas are cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom and white pepper. Traditional celebrations of Saint Nicholas Day in Northern Europe included gifts left in children’s shoes (this is the origin of our American Christmas stockings). Children receive treats – candies, cookies, apples and nuts.
Christopsomo (Christ’s Bread) is the traditional Greek Anise flavored Christmas Bread. Baking a Christopsomo is considered a religious task in an Orthodox Greek household. The baker begins by crossing himself & asking for blessings for the household. The bread is baked on the Christmas eve and eaten on the day of Christmas. Only the best and the most expensive ingredients are used to bake this bread. Ropes of dough are used to adorn the bread with cross. Unshelled walnuts are used for decorations too. Here is the original recipe, I have almost followed it all except for the glaze.
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