Springerle terra
cotta
moulds are reproductions of the original wooden moulds dating from 16th
century Alsace. The "Springerles" are petits fours (cookies) of ancient
Alsatian tradition,
made principally for Noel. The motifs were representative of the
activities
of daily village life as well as depicting many symbols such as love,
fertility,
and the continuum of life.
Many important
historical
events were put on Springerles. S30 is a good example here. It displays
a
boot from the times of Napoleon. S103 and 104 depict the first
telegraph
tower in Alsace (the telegraph Chappe). The legendary friendship
between
the people of Strasbourg, France and Zurich, Switzerland inhabitants
who
decided to come to Strasbourg on the Rhine River. They took a huge pot
of
soup to prove that they could get to Strasbourg before the soup was
cold!
This event dates
1576.
S56, on the other hand, was probably done just after the
French-Prussian
War(1870), and it shows a period helmet worn by Prussian soldiers. This
Springerle was carved just after Germany annexed Alsace. Some other
moulds represent the beautiful architecture and people of Strasbourg
(S109 Strasbourg's Cathedral,
and S51, a noble woman).
Although
Springerles
were generally made for Christmas, there were some special occasions
which
had to be celebrated with these unusual cookies (e.g.. birth of a new
baby
S92/S93).
The reproduction
of
Middle Ages originals is done in clay. Originally all the moulds were
carved
on one side of the piece of wood. Today the moulds exist in both
negative and positive relief in pottery. The negative moulds are both
decorative as
well as being used for the making of the cookies. The positive tiles
are
beautiful decorative wall hangars, and are exquisitely hand painted
prior
to final firing.
Most of the
Springerles
are reproductions of very old moulds, which today can be seen in
different museums in Alsace.
The stories of
Springerles are endless. Each mould is unique and most of them have
historical importance.
These terra cotta moulds,
manufactured
in the French village of Marmoutier by the Ernenwein Poterie Artisanale , received the prestigious Gold Medal (Médaille d'Or) in Paris
1961-1968...in recognition of their superior creations..
Aniseed
Cookies Recipe
Using electric mixer, beat 500
grams of
Sugar and 4 Eggs for about 10 minutes, or until creamy. Add 550 grams
of
Flour, 3 grams Baking Powder and Aniseed grains. Mix well and allow to
stand
for 30 minutes. Roll the dough out into a 5-7mm thick circle (about one
quarter
inch thick). Sprinkle with flour, press the mould to form a pattern,
cut
out and let stand for 24 hours. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (oven temp
160
degrees Celsius (325 degrees F). Cookies are best when they are made
about
2-3 weeks in advance and stored in a paper box in a cool place.
We hope you will enjoy both the preparation
and the beautiful aniseed flavored taste of our Springerles!
*Negative relief
tiles
are in terra cotta (can be used for cookie molding)
*Positive Relief tiles are
beautifully
Hand Painted for wall hanging!
, received the prestigious Gold Medal (Médaille d'Or) in Paris
1961-1968...in recognition of their superior creations