New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-13

Mrs. Bayard Taylor. the widow Of the poet. and
herself an accomplished writer, as well as perfect
bouseleeper sends us these details concerning the
Christmas goodies of her native land:
You know am familiar enough with all the customs
of Germany to tell Of the "Chrstfest In all It's
details, but to-day am going to keep strictly within
bounds and Will talk TO you only OF the Christmas goodies
you wished to know something Of There are different
kinds. some belonging to this and to that part
of Germany but common to all parts IS the "leb-
kuchenr- for which we have merely the very in
adequate equivalent OF gingerbread This cake, the
origin OF which dates far back into past centuries Is
made and sold chiefly by special bakers ana coniecuohers
but some people hold the opinion that homemade
"ebkuchen." made according to recipes handed down
in their families for many generations, are equally
good.
In olden times there were several towns winch
prided themselves on making the very best OF these
cakes and they are famous for them to TINS uaS'
Foremost among them is Nuremberg. in southern
Germany. But Basle in switzerland, sends out
variety thought even finer by good many people,
and Thorn on the frontier Of Poland. claims 10 pro
duce the best Of the Oldest variety. GOOD recipe
for the latter is the following:
Take one pound Of honey and one pound OF sugar
cook together until clear then take of the fire and
s,,r until lukewarm. Add one pound of almonds
Skinned and cut into thin strips half an ounce Rood
weight, ~ potash dissolved In little brandy, one
ouarter ounce of cinnamon, the same OF caTdamom,
twelve cloves twelve white pepperseeds-al Of these
snices eround-haf grated nutmeg. and last OF all
one and a quarter pounds OF rye Hour. MIX until
,ou cot a dough which is light. but not thin. Lei
II stand I'm a warm place over night to rise then put
II for two or three hours in cold and airy place IA
COLLAR the best and after that form 1t into SQUARES
a. Ionr and as broad as your hand, or larger If you
lilo and ~ a fingers thickness. Bake them In
moderately hot oven and when done cover them with
., ,c,nc made Of powdered sugar. white of egg and
lemoniuice.
Excellent for home use is the following recipe OF
white variety of Nuremberg: Take half pound OF
almonds. and after they peeled and banched' CUT
them into long, thin strips and put them INTO tfo
oven to get dry and yellow. Set them aside to cool
and mix together half pound of sugar half an ounce
NJ powdered cinnamon, a quarter ounce OF GROUND
cloves one tablespoonful of ground cardamom, the
GRATED neal Of two lemons, two whole eggs ana four
voks Stir all this In one direction for quarter oil an
horr. then add six ounces Of fine -four and the
o,uonds Let this batter rest hour. Have a
umber Of waters ready Of from four 10 eight inches
nv two and onehah to four inches square, and
ynread them with your batter as thin as possible
put them in sheotron cake pan, and bake IN d
moderately hot oven. They must not take color
The finest variety of the Basic gingerbread Is called
"a Iec;erli. y which our word goodies might cover
Take one pound Of loaf sugar. rub the yehow rind
Of lemon into 1t pound 1t into small pieces put IL Ii
a preserylnekette with one pound of iirstrate honey
and heat over the fire to just degree lower tiah
boiling Now take three-quarters OF pound OF