The Mannele - Sweet Symbol of Saint Nicholas Day
In Alsatian, Mannele simply means "little man". This brioche shaped like a human figure - two outstretched arms, two legs and a round head - is one of the most eagerly awaited culinary traditions of the Alsatian Advent. Every year, from the evening of 5 December, Alsatian bakeries prepare their batches of Mannele to hand out to children the following morning, on Saint Nicholas Day. Some are plain, others decorated with raisins for eyes and buttons, others coated in chocolate or studded with chips. But in all its versions, the Mannele remains the same: a soft, golden and lightly vanilla-scented brioche, enjoyed at breakfast or as a snack with a large cup of hot chocolate.
History and Origins of the Mannele
The origins of the Mannele are lost in the medieval history of Alsace. Some historians link it to the tradition of figurative gingerbreads that existed since the Middle Ages in Rhenish towns. Others see in its human shape a connection to ancient representations of Saint Nicholas himself or to the three children of the legend he brought back to life. What is certain is that the Mannele tradition has been documented in Alsace since at least the 18th century and has survived all the vicissitudes of regional history without ever disappearing. Today, the Mannele is a strong marker of Alsatian cultural identity, proudly perpetuated by families every year.
The Traditional Recipe
Ingredients (makes 8 Mannele)
- 500 g plain flour (T45)
- 80 g sugar
- 1 sachet dried yeast (7 g)
- 150 ml lukewarm whole milk
- 100 g unsalted butter, melted
- 2 whole eggs + 1 yolk for glazing
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 sachet vanilla sugar
- Raisins for decoration
Making the Dough
Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm milk and leave for 10 minutes until frothy. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, vanilla sugar and salt. Make a well and add the beaten eggs, melted butter and the milk-yeast mixture. Knead vigorously for 10 minutes until you have a soft, smooth and slightly sticky dough. Cover with a clean cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour 30 minutes until doubled in size.
Shaping the Mannele
Knock back the dough and divide into 8 equal portions of about 100 g each. For each Mannele, use two thirds of the portion to form the body into a slightly flattened sausage. With the remaining third, shape the head into a ball, the arms into two small rolls and the legs into two longer rolls. Carefully assemble the pieces, pressing firmly to join them. Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Press raisins in for eyes and buttons. Leave to prove for a further 30 minutes.
Baking
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Carefully brush the Mannele with egg yolk diluted with a tablespoon of milk for an even golden glaze. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until well golden. Watch the baking carefully as the small pieces colour quickly. Leave to cool on a rack before eating.
Secrets for Perfect Mannele
A few tips for soft and well-shaped Mannele:
- The flour: use T45 or plain flour without exception - wholemeal flour would give a brioche that is too dense
- The kneading: do not skimp on kneading time - at least 10 minutes to develop the gluten and achieve an airy dough
- The temperature: all ingredients must be at room temperature - cold eggs straight from the fridge would slow the rise
- The shaping: press the pieces together firmly - insufficient joining causes the limbs to separate during baking
- The glaze: apply the glaze with a very soft brush so as not to deflate the proved dough
Delicious Variations
The base recipe lends itself to many variations:
- Chocolate Mannele: dip the cooled Mannele halfway into melted dark chocolate and leave to set on baking parchment
- Chocolate chip Mannele: fold 80 g of chocolate chips into the dough before shaping
- Cinnamon Mannele: add a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the dough for a more pronounced Christmas aroma
- Puff pastry Mannele: a lighter version made with puff pastry instead of brioche dough - crispier and less sweet
Gifting and Presenting Mannele
Mannele is best eaten on the day, still slightly warm if possible. To give as a gift, it is traditionally placed in a beautifully decorated box or wrapped in tissue paper. In Alsatian families, it is often accompanied by an orange, a few walnuts and a small square of chocolate - recalling the gifts Saint Nicholas used to leave in the shoes of well-behaved children. A lovely Christmas-decorated box transforms these little figures into a gift as precious as it is delicious.
The Mannele in Alsatian Tradition
Beyond the recipe, the Mannele is a family ritual. In many Alsatian families, the Mannele are prepared together on the evening of 5 December - the children shape their own little men, decorate them as they please and slide them impatiently into the oven. The next morning, they find them on the breakfast table, golden and fragrant. This shared moment of baking is often as precious as the eating itself - a way of passing the tradition from generation to generation, hands in the dough.
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