Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like a Christmas market cruise on the Rhine from Switzerland, through France, and Germany, to the Netherlands, in the cradle of so many of our Christmas traditions. It’s a multi-sensory travel experience, from the sights of festive decorations and booths at the markets, twinkling lights and decorations, the scent of mulled wine, and the authentic tastes of holiday treats, at the markets, as well as on board our Viking longship.

You’ll be immersed in the joy of the season as you explore markets and cross everyone off your Christmas list with delightful, artisan-made arts, crafts and treats unique to the region.

Viking brings Christmas on board, too, with decorations, and lights that twinkle indoors and on the top deck as you stand spellbound by the romance of sailing through the middle Rhine, with the world’s largest collection of castles on the banks of both sides of the Rhine River. Not to mention the festive treats!

Guests are invited to join – and taste! – during demonstrations of local, ‘spirited,’ hot Rudesheim coffee, as well as baking traditional regional sweets.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: As we join the Viking Sigyn’s chef baking Vanilla Kipferl cookies.

These crescent-shaped, delicate, but richly-flavored almond cookies are a European Christmas classic. A Vanilla Kipferl with tea or strong coffee is the essence of holiday get-togethers.

The legend says their origins can be traced to an Austrian victory over the Ottoman Empire (whose symbol was a crescent) in the 1600’s. From Vienna, where you will find them in the city’s iconic coffee shops, the sweet treat quickly spread in popularity across Central Europe, as well as Germany, Switzerland and, with a slight variation, to France. They’ve become a Christmas tradition throughout these regions.

While they appear simple, Vanilla Kipferl is a bit tricky to get just right. Properly prepared, the dough is soft and needs to be shaped with cool hands; warming it up can make the cookie tough. And you have to shape the dough into a crescent shape without breaking it.

That’s why it was such a pleasure to learn from the chef aboard the Viking Sigyn! Viking also shares its shipboard recipe with its guests, and we’re passing it along to you:

Viking Cruises’ Vanilla Kipferl Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

1 c (230 g) butter, softened plus extra for greasing
½ c (96 g) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
1 tsp (5 ml) almond extract
3 lg egg yolks
1 c (85 g) ground almonds
1 c (125 g) flour
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease baking sheets. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add extracts and egg yolks; beat until creamy. Add almonds; stir to combine. Gradually fold in flour until completely combined. Refrigerate dough at least 1 hour. Working with a quarter of dough at a time, divide into eighths and shape each into about a 1½-inch (4 cm) crescent; transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 12–16 minutes or until firm to the touch but still pale. Remove from oven; dust with confectioners’ sugar while still hot. Cool; store airtight.

Prep time: 1 hour 20 minutes.

Cook time: 12–16 minutes.

Makes about 32 cookies.

Variations

The classic Vanilla Kipferl cookie is dusted with powdered sugar, as we did in the video. However, for a touch of extra decadence (if any is needed!) you can also dip one end in melted semi-sweet or dark chocolate.

Some people vary the ground nut used, substituting ground walnuts, hazelnuts or pecans – so let your taste and imagination guide you!

Fans of Vanilla Kipferl note they are ideally accompanied by a cup of strong coffee, and that they are often taken as hostess gifts to friends’ and families’ celebrations.

Not very handy in the kitchen, or out of time to bake once you return home for the holidays? Never fear, you can pick up boxed Vanilla Kipferl in many bakeries along your Christmas market river cruise journey to take home as a tasty souvenir of your trip.