15 Popular German Christmas Market Food & Drinks [+Recipes] (2024)

Classic German Christmas Market Food and Drinks – With Recipes To Try Yourself!

Looking to get your food fix at German Christmas Market food stalls? You can always bring the Christmas market food ideas to you with these German Christmas recipes!

It’s actually really easy to create some of the most popular food and drinks you find at quintessential German Christmas Markets.

From crispy potato pancakes to festive drinks like gluhwein (mulled wine), there are plenty of sweet or savory foods you can whip up!

For a number of reasons, we’re huge fans of German Christmas markets. Of course, one reason is that Lisa was born and raised in Germany but it goes much beyond that.

Having lived together in Europe and travelled around much of Germany together, we’re so lucky to have experienced many different German Christmas markets.

From the many markets of Cologne to markets in Aachen and Berlin, they are all slightly different. This means that you can find similar treats mixed in with regional treats at each one!

Christmas markets are actually a very important part of the pre-christmas time for many Germans. Even small towns usually have some form of Christmas market for at least a weekend in December.

Of course, the bigger Christmas markets last for much longer than that and attract locals and visitors alike.

So, if you’re looking to dive into the Christmas season and bringing a little Europe to you, here’s our grand list of German Christmas market food and drinks.

We’ve created recipes for most of the foods and drinks mentioned below – and we’ll be sure to add more as we make them!

German Mulled Wine (Glühwein)

There might not be a more classic Christmas Market drink than Glühwein! This traditional German Mulled Wine recipe is very similar to what you’d find at an authentic market.

Made from a few simple ingredients like red wine, sugar, and spices like cinnamon, this warm, alcoholic drink is always one to please a crowd! You can even whip up a batch on the stove for yourself if you’re feeling festive!

Mulled White Wine

If you’re not a huge fan of red wine, maybe mulled white wine is for you! This light and refreshing take on the holiday drink packs just the right amount of spice and warmth.

Made from white wine instead of red, mulled white wine allows for the citrus, cinnamon, and cloves to come through on the nose… and in your belly!

While mulled red wine is still the Christmas market classic, mulled white wine can nowadays be found at quite a few markets as well.

German Potato Pancakes

If you’re after a German Christmas Market food that is a little more deep-fried, feast your eyes on German potato pancakes!

Also known as Reibekuchen or Kartoffelpuffer, potato pancakes are a crispy and hearty treat we always love to eat. We really like our recipe – and many others do, too!

Potato pancakes are best served up hot and you can enjoy them with a number of side sauces like apple sauce, garlic sauce, or a creamy quark!

German Gingerbread Cookies (Lebkuchen)

Lebkuchen – or gingerbread cookies in English – are an absolute Christmas market classic.

There are various different versions of Lebkuchen across the country – from Aachen Printen in Aachen to Elisenlebkuchen in Nuremberg – and all of them are worth trying.

This recipe is for Elisenlebkuchen – a soft, chewy, nutty, and citrusy cookie with a sweet top glaze of icing or chocolate! They are just like the ones that Lisa grew up enjoying in Germany!

Oh, and don’t forget: they’re made with a simple homemade gingerbread spice mix!

German Potato Soup

For a warm and hearty Christmas Market soup, look no further than potato soup!

Our delicious German potato soup recipe is loaded with yummy things – you’ll find everything in this soup from potatoes to sausage, celery root, and more!

The broth is thin yet creamy which makes it perfect on a cold winter day before the holidays. Just remember to serve it hot!

At Christmas markets, you can sometimes find a creamy version of potato soup served in a small loaf of bread as the bowl. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also try to recreate that at home!

German Candied Almonds (Gebrannte Mandeln)

Got more of a sweet tooth? Then German Candied Almonds – or Gebrannte Mandeln as they are called in German – are for you! This simple treat is all about the sweet and cinnamon – and they are so easy to make!

Snack on them before the holidays or make a batch and pack them up as gifts. It’s a simple treat that is almost universally loved! Plus, making these makes your kitchen smell like a German Christmas Market!

Candied almonds are a classic Christmas market staple and Lisa can barely remember visiting a market without at least getting a small package of candied almonds.

German Rum Balls (Rumkugeln)

Sticking with the sweet train, German Rum Balls – or Rumkugeln – are definitely found kicking around Christmas Markets!

These tiny confections are made from rich chocolate and a rum of your choosing. The best part is you can decorate them however you like – with sprinkles or just a simple dusting of cocoa powder!

Eierpunsch (German Egg Punch)

Another holiday drink to wash everything down? Why not try German Egg Punch!

Known as Eierpunsch in German, this rich and creamy hot drink is made from egg yolk and sugar mixed with wine, vanilla, and other spices.

Topped off with whipped cream, it’s a nice boozy drink that is also really smooth and delicious.

At Christmas markets, you’ll usually find Eierpunsch at the same stands as you’d find mulled wine. Often it’s topped with a big dollop of whipped cream as well!

Marzipan

Germans love their marzipan – and you can definitely find marzipan around Christmas Markets!

Whether eaten on its own – or formed into another sweet treat (see below) – marzipan is a simple and sweet treat.

Made from just a few ingredients like ground almonds and sugar, our marzipan recipe tastes much better than the marzipan you can sometimes find on a store-bought cake!

German Marzipan Potatoes (Marzipankartoffeln)

Speaking of marzipan – have you had a German Marzipan Potato? Known as Marzipankartoffeln, these tiny treats are made from fresh marzipan dusted in cocoa powder.

The result is a tiny confection which looks just like a cute little potato! They are sometimes sold at Christmas markets in little treat bags to give away to family or friends.

But with our recipe, it’s also quite easy to make your own marzipan potatoes at home. You can choose to make small potatoes or large ones – it’s really up to you!

Kinderpunsch (German Non-Alcoholic Punch)

This classic “kid’s punch” – Kinderpunsch, in German – is a non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine. It’s a popular option for kids and designated drivers you might have at your holiday party.

Made from a fruity tea, apple juice, and fragrant spices, this drink isn’t too sweet and is always a hit. Being just as tasty and hot as mulled wine, it’s definitely a drink you should try if you are not a fan of alcoholic beverages!

Fried Mushrooms

We are not really sure why, but fried mushrooms are also often found at German Christmas markets. Sometimes you can even find mushrooms that have been breaded and then deep-fried.

Definitely give them a try if you are a fan of mushrooms! Unfortunately, we don’t have a recipe for fried mushrooms on our site yet, but we’ll try to make one soon!

Sausages

There is probably no Christmas market in Germany where you can’t find at least one type of sausage.

Bratwurst is of course a classic, but you can also often find knackwurst or even currywurst as dinner options at German markets.

If you’re a meat-lover you typically won’t have a shortage of options!

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is probably one of the German foods that is known internationally – and it can also be found at German Christmas markets.

It’s often served as a side to sausages or as a meal with Schupfnudeln or potatoes and will give you a good base for some mulled wines.

Candied Apples

Candied – or chocolate covered – apples and other fruits are a classic dessert item found at German Christmas markets.

They are popular among kids due to their vibrant colors and uniqueness – but of course, adults also like to eat them.

When Lisa was a kid, getting a candied apple at the Christmas market always felt like such a treat since it was something that wasn’t eaten any other time.