Spanisch Brötli facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Spanisch Brödli, Spanischbrötli, Spanischbrödli |
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| Type | Pastry |
| Course | Dessert / snack |
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Region or state | Baden |
| Serving temperature | At room temperature or just after cooling |
| Main ingredients | Flour, hazelnuts, apricot jam |
Spanisch Brötli (which means "Spanish bun" in English) is a special and delicious pastry from Baden, Switzerland. It's also known by other names like Spanisch Brödli or Spanischbrötli. This treat is a light, flaky pastry filled with a tasty mix of roasted, crushed hazelnuts and sweet apricot jam.
Contents
What Are Spanisch Brötli?
Imagine a square pastry with three layers! The bottom and top layers are made of delicate dough. In the middle, you'll find the yummy apricot and hazelnut filling. On top of each pastry, there's a special "X" or cross cut. This cut helps hot air escape while the pastry bakes, making it perfectly light and airy.
The Sweet History of Spanisch Brötli
Spanisch Brötli pastries have a long and interesting past! They were first written about in a book from 1701 by a person named Samuel Hottinger. This book was all about the city of Baden and its famous baths.
A Popular Treat for the Wealthy
These pastries became super popular with rich people in Zürich. Zürich was about 25 kilometers away from Baden. Because the pastries were so loved, servants had to walk all the way to Baden overnight. They would buy the fresh Spanisch Brötli early in the morning and rush back to Zürich. They wanted to make sure their employers had these delicious treats ready for breakfast!
The "Spanish Bun Railway"
In 1847, something big happened: the Swiss Northern Railway opened. This new train line connected Zürich and Baden. Suddenly, Spanisch Brötli could travel from Baden to Zürich in just 45 minutes! This was a huge change from the long overnight walk. People were so excited about getting their pastries quickly that they started calling the train line the "Spanisch-Brötli-Bahn." This means "Spanish Bun Railway"!
A Comeback Story
Over time, during the 1900s, these special pastries became less popular. They were almost forgotten! But then, in 2007, local bakeries in Baden decided to bring them back. They found the old recipes and even created some new versions. Today, you can find Spanisch Brötli again, often sold under a special trademark. It's a sweet reminder of Swiss history!
