German Christkindlmarket at Home: DIY Mulled Wine and Pretzels

The Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza is a beloved Chicago holiday tradition. The festive atmosphere, the twinkling lights, and the delicious food and drinks all make for a magical experience. But you don’t have to brave the crowds and the cold to enjoy the flavors of the Christkindlmarket. With these easy and affordable recipes for mulled wine and soft pretzels, you can recreate the magic at home.

Glühwein (Mulled Wine)

This warm and spicy mulled wine is the perfect drink for a cold winter night.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 (750-ml) bottle of dry red wine (an inexpensive bottle of Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon will work well)
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 orange, sliced
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 star anise

• Instructions:

  1. In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients.
  2. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it’s warm but not boiling.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  4. Serve the mulled wine warm in festive mugs.

Soft Pretzels

These homemade soft pretzels are surprisingly easy to make and are the perfect accompaniment to a warm mug of glühwein.

• Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • Coarse salt for sprinkling

• Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until foamy.
  2. Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the bowl. Mix until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough for 5-10 minutes, or until it’s smooth and elastic.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil.
  6. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and shape it into a pretzel.
  7. Carefully dip each pretzel into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove the pretzel with a slotted spoon and place it on a greased baking sheet.
  8. Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Christkindlmarket at Home Tips

• Serve with Mustard: Serve your homemade pretzels with a variety of mustards for dipping.
• Play German Christmas Music: Create a festive atmosphere with a playlist of traditional German Christmas music.
• Roast Some Nuts: Complete the Christkindlmarket experience with a batch of homemade roasted nuts.

This holiday season, start a new tradition and create your own Christkindlmarket at home. It’s a fun and affordable way to celebrate the magic of the season.