Springerles and Sweet Memories: A Holiday Tradition Passed Through Generations

Younger Emma Winters, her little sister and her father

When it comes to the holidays, every family has their own traditions. From decorating gingerbread houses, to lighting the menorah, these memories are something that many people hold dear to their hearts. For myself, there is one holiday tradition that stands out.

Growing up, the one main Christmas cookies that could always be found at my grandparent’s house were springerles. These are cookies that originated in southwestern Germany and translate to “little knight” or “little jumper.” The origin of this particular cookie is traced back to the 14th century. 

The back of the cookies are coated in anise seeds, giving them a black licorice-like taste. They are an acquired taste and most people don’t like them (even some people in my family), but having grown up with them, they are my favorite cookies to have around the holidays. The biggest fan of them in my family has to be my grandpa, who grew up with them as well, since his mom and grandma used to bake them. 

The thing that makes springerles special is that the cookies are embossed with a design that can either be stamped or rolled onto them. The oldest known mold is from Switzerland and is reported to be carved from wood in the 14th century. My dad always made springerles with a special rolling pin that he got from my grandma, but one Christmas, my dad gave my sister and me our own springerle rolling pins.

The traditional way to make springerles is to bake them at Thanksgiving and leave them be them until Christmas so that they are a harder consistency and the flavor is better. I grew up in Southern California, and fall always brings warm winds and dry air, which my grandma says makes the cookies taste better. My family usually makes them closer to Christmas because we like them to be softer, but you can bet there is always a batch of harder sprinerles for my grandpa to dunk in his coffee.

Emma Winters, her sister and her father

I think one of the hardest parts of making these cookies is having the patience to let them sit overnight so that they are firm enough to bake. I still remember waking up the day after making them, and the smell of anise filling the air because my dad and mom would wake up early and bake the cookies so they were ready for my sister and I to have with breakfast.

When I was younger, my dad would always help my sister and I make a batch of cookies and we would save them for ourselves. When we would go to my grandma’s house she would always have a batch that she made for dessert. As my sister and I have gotten older, we have started making them ourselves and bringing them to our grandparent’s house for Christmas. 

For me, baking these cookies each year is the highlight of the holiday season. Sometimes it can be hard to connect with your ancestors and your culture. For me, this passed down tradition helps my family and me feel closer to those who came before us.