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From hand-iced gingerbread to mulled wine, the sights and smells of European Christmas markets have never been more popular.

Our favourite market delights are traditional German gingerbread, lebkuchen, pfeffernüsse, and allerlei. Our time-honoured German gingerbread portfolio comes from Pertzborn and Wicklein.

Our Swedish gingerbread is from Nyåkers, the leading brand of gingersnap and spiced biscuits in Sweden.

Discover everything you ought to know about Gingerbread!

Learn all about the different types of gingerbread.

  1. Lebkuchen
    1. Allerlei
    2. Pfferfernusse
    3. Zimtsterne
  2. Soft Baked Gingerbread
  3. Pepparkakor
  4. Spekulatius

Explore our Gingerbread Category

Stock Authenticity: Why Original Nürnberger Lebkuchen Belongs on Your Shelves

Only gingerbread made to strict standards in Nuremberg can be called “Original Nürnberger Lebkuchen” - a mark of heritage and authenticity. Look for the PGI stamp, which guarantees the highest quality.

Lebkuchen, a traditional spiced soft biscuit, originated in the 13th century in Germany, where monks are believed to have made some of the first lebkuchen with honey, spices, and breadcrumbs. They used communion wafers as a base for the sticky gingerbread dough, and this custom is now integral to lebkuchen.

Lebkuchen is accredited by the certified seal of Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI), much like Champagne in France or Cheddar in England.

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Standards for lebkuchen are in 2 classes

Elisen-Lebkuchen, which must have:

  • At least 25% nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts)
  • No more than 10% flour
  • Baked on a wafer base

Oblaten*-Lebkuchen, which must have:

  • At least 14% nuts & seeds
  • Baked on a wafer base
  • *Oblaten translates as wafer.

Fun Fact: Elisen-Lebkuchen are said to have been created by a baker in Nuremberg for his sick daughter, Elise, in the 14th century.

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The word lebkuchen describes different types of spiced German biscuits. Discover more varieties below.

Allerlei

Meaning ‘all kinds’ Allerlei are soft gingerbread biscuits, traditionally sugar-glazed or coated in chocolate. Unlike classic lebkuchen, allerlei lebkuchen are made without wafers.

Pfeffernüsse

A German Christmas favourite since the 1850s, these small, spiced biscuits (“pepper nuts”) are named for their nut-like size and hint of black pepper, blended with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Fun Fact: Although called “pepper nuts,” they do not contain any nuts.

Zimtsterne

Translating to “cinnamon stars,” these flourless German biscuits are known for their high nut Content and rich cinnamon flavour. Fun Fact: Zimtsterne were a treat for kings and emperors because cinnamon was very expensive in medieval Germany.

From Fairy Tales to Festive Markets: The Story of Soft-Baked German Gingerbread

Authentic German gingerbread stands apart from mass-produced imitations. Found in Christmas markets across Germany and Austria, it has a soft-baked texture and is delicately spiced, unlike the more highly spiced American-style gingerbread.

Gingerbread has been enjoyed since the Middle Ages when exotic spices arrived in Europe. Gingerbread houses are believed to have originated in 19th-century Germany, inspired by Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel fairy tale.

Fun Fact: Queen Elizabeth I had gingerbread men made to look like the dignitaries visiting her court.

Add a Nordic Bestseller to Your Range with Authentic Pepparkakor

Pepparkakor, a Swedish ginger biscuit, is spicier and thinner than a gingersnap, giving a signature crispy texture. For the best quality, choose traditional recipes made without GMOs or palm oil.

Popular in Sweden since the 16th century, pepparkakor’s name comes from peppar (pepper) and kakor (biscuit), though modern versions rarely contain pepper.

Enjoy with tea, coffee, or glögg (Swedish mulled wine) for the perfect seasonal treat.

From Bishop to Biscuit – The Festive Tale of Spekulatius

Spekulatius are lightly spiced, crunchy biscuits, traditionally eaten in Germany at Christmas time.

The design on this biscuit represents a bishop’s crozier.

Fun Fact: The name spekulatius is derived from Latin and means bishop to represent St. Nicholas of Myrna, known as Santa Claus today.

Discover German Stollen

Stollen is a German sweet yeast bread, baked with butter, nuts, spices, and dried fruit. It is coated with icing sugar.

Nowadays, only the more luxurious Stollen contains butter. Premium Stollen depends on high fruit content for sweetness, rather than
cheaper marzipan.

Stollen is eaten in slices, often with coffee or Christmas punch.

Stollen is characteristically baked free-form into lopsided loaves and is said to have originated in 1329, as a result of a baking competition organised by the Bishop of Nauruburg.

Fun Fact: The Dresdner Stollenfest (Stollen Party) is held annually, featuring Germany’s largest Stollen. The largest Stollen to date weighed over 4,000kg. Each year, a horse-drawn carriage parades the winning giant stollen through the streets.

Let’s Talk Christmas – Any Time of Year

For over 25 years, Empire Bespoke Foods has been helping UK wholesalers and independent retailers stand out with distinctive, high-quality products from around the world. As one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of international food and drink, we pride ourselves on curating authentic seasonal ranges that capture the spirit of Christmas with every bite.

We’re always happy to talk Christmas, even in July, but please note that our festive pre-orders close at the end of May each year. Get in touch today to plan your perfect seasonal range.

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