How to make these iconic Saint-Nicolas cupcakes?

Sophie Menut, edited by Gauthier Delomez 6:09 p.m., December 6, 2021

In December, there is the Christmas log, but also the cakes dedicated to Saint-Nicolas.

This holiday, celebrated every December 6, is especially popular in northern and eastern European countries such as Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Poland.

In the program

, the culinary columnist Sophie Menut tells us all about the "manneles", these small cakes emblematic of Saint-Nicolas.

Cookies to taste on Christmas markets in Alsace

"These are the famous little cookies that we prepare on the night of December 5 to 6 because Nicolas goes to all good children," says Sophie Menut on Europe 1. "The children put him a small glass of mulled wine, or milk, and then he brings these little cookies, it's tradition, ”she explains.

"Mannele" means "little guy", and there are also the bredeles which are typically Alsatian.

Cookies that can also be found on Christmas markets in Alsace.

>> Find all the shows of Mélanie Gomez and Julia Vignali from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Europe 1 in replay and in podcast here

A recipe accessible to all

To make a mannele, the recipe is very simple. You have to dissolve a sachet of baker's yeast in 30 centilitres of lukewarm milk in the bowl of a food processor. Then pour 600 grams of flour, 50 grams of sugar, a whole egg, 60 grams of softened butter and start. After that, we must pour the milk and swirl until you get a smooth dough, and let swell for at least three hours, as for a brioche. Finally, we degass, that is to say we hit the dough with his fist. This removes any air bubbles that have formed.

There is a website that lists over 800 different cookie cutter shapes for making these little cookies.

According to tradition, we make a little man, we rise again for 30 minutes, and we decorate the cookie with chocolate chips that make the eyes, the little buttons, etc.

Then put the cakes in the oven and it's ready.

Cookies to enjoy of course with the family.