Vanillekipferl, my today's post is from Austria. This cookies are originate from Vienna in Austria and a speciality of the Bavarian town of Nördlingen. Traditionally, they are made at Christmas, thought these cookies are very well known in most of the European countries.Though these cookies are Christmas special, they can be enjoyed anytime of the year and are often for sale in Viennese coffee shops. They are said to have been created in the shape of the Turkish crescent moon symbolizing, the celebration of the victory of the Hungarian army over the Turkish in one of the many wars between the nations.These Crescent shaped almond cookies are baked in Germany and its very common in Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia as a part of the typical Christmas baking.

Nonnettes are small French gingerbread cake which is quite popular in Dijon, a city in Eastern France.Usually filled with orange marmalade, this nonnettes de Dijon are christmas special baked treats. However many variations do exists. Though the traditional Nonnettes goes for Orange marmalade, many fillings like strawberry jam, mixed fruits jam etc are also used to make a different version of  Nonnettes. Since i dont have orange marmalade and none at home like this citrus preserve, i opted for our all time favourite strawberry jam. Spiced gingerbread cake filled with strawberry jam tastes absolutely fantastic with your favourite drink either for your evening snacks or else to enjoy simply to kick start your hectic day's breakfast.

Hot Mulled wine is known as Vin chaud in French and this drink is quite popular in winter especially during christmas time. I tasted this mulled wine few years back while we travelled to Strasbourg, an Alsace city where christmas market is quite famous for their mulled wine. Though am not wine lover, i simply loved this hot spiced mulled wine and i was waiting to give a try to them at home as my Hubby was a great fan of this drink. Obviously when i decided to go with French cuisine for this whole month's blogging marathon under Journey through the cuisine as theme i found that for the Letter 'W' this mulled wine suits prefect as this drink is known as Warmer Win in Alsace.Vin chaud, this mulled wine is generally prepared with red wine, spices which is sweetened either with sugar or honey. Many versions of Mulled wine recipes exists depending upon the region, family and chef.

Galettes de Rois is well known as King's cake in France, this cake can be called as three kings cake,king cake, king's cake and its easily available during the festival of Epiphany at the end of the Christmas season. Traditional King's cakes are made of sweet brioche dough in the shape of a hollow circle with a glazed topping sprinkled with coloured sugar. Though this yeasted brioche bread style of king cake do exists, king cakes are also made with puff pastry sheets, filled with a delicious fillings along with a small figurine hidden inside. The most well known filling of this King's cake is frangipane filling which is prepared usually with almond powder, however now many King's cake with different fillings are easily available in stores. Every year, these King's cake have their important place in every home especially after New year.Many people says that the small figurine hidden inside the cake represents Baby Jesus, but now the figurine changes from Bakery to bakery and often represents a hit movie or other cultural icon.

But my today's post goes for an incredible fruit loaded filling. Yes i used apples in this cake filling which makes this flaky king's cake more interesting. Not to forget that i also prepared salted caramel sauce at home to add an absolutely delicious touch to this simple apple & frangipane filling. Trust me we just enjoyed this cake very much.