Only genuine from Aachen: Aachener Printen

Aachener Printen

Aachen, State of Hessen, Germany

Printen are a special type of brown gingerbread that can be either soft or hard. The Printen are characterized by the use of undissolved, brown sugar candy crumbs, which you can taste along with the spices when snacking.

The delicacy has been baked in Aachen since 1820 and only the Printen produced there (or in neighboring towns) can be called Aachen Printen.
The Printen have a typically flat, elongated shape, into which for a long time elaborately carved wooden molds, for example with religious motifs or Prussian soldier motifs, were pressed. Incidentally, the Printen owe their name to this process: Thus the English "print" or the Dutch "prent" mean to press, or stand for tools for pressing.

Traditionally Aachener Printen were shaped
in wooden molds in the designs of saints and soldiers

Due to their popularity and tourist interest, the popular pastries are now produced all year round, although they were originally a winter specialty.

Printen are not only used as a sweet treat, but also as an ingredient in savory dishes, for example as a Printen sauce for leg of venison or Rhenish sauerbraten.

Storage tips
Printen are best stored in a tin in a cool, dry place. The popular sweet treat will then keep for over four weeks.
However, if the Printen are too hard after purchase, you can store them open in the fresh air in a cool room to soften them.

Well worth a visit:

· Article on Hessener cookies

· Authentic Aachener Printen from "Daring Gourmet"