THE DELICIOUS FOODS OF BETHLEHEM’S CHRISTKINDLMARKT

Delicious gifts (and treats for you), from schnitzel and strudel to truffles and mustards

It was a cheery scene like you’d find in a tiny village in Germany or Hungary.

We looked over rows of pillowy, flaky strudel blanketed in a thick dusting of powdered sugar, as sparkling Christmas lights and festive holiday decor surrounded us.

We weren’t in Germany, of course. We were in south Bethlehem.

Christkindlmarkt, going on now at SteelStacks, is modeled after the old European holiday markets, with aisle after aisle of handmade crafts and holiday decor. (The holiday market’s was named one of the best in the country by Travel + Leisure, and one of the top holiday markets in the world by USA Today Travel.)

Food is a big part of the shopping experience, both in what you can enjoy while you’re there and what you can take home with you. You’ll find European classics to American favorites, and local wine and spirits, too.

Here’s a taste of what you’ll find at Christkindlmarkt:

Snack while you shop

You’re likely to get hungry while you’re admiring the handmade pieces by more than 200 artists from 20 states. (Shopping is hard work.)

Food vendors offer traditional festival fare to European dishes, including: Pork or chicken schnitzel (a

traditional German dish in which meat is pounded thin, breaded and fried); German gyros and more from MMG Concessions

Bratwurst, krainerwurst,

knockwurst, long Vienna hot dogs and more from Heaven on a Bun Chicken paprikash, bierocks (yeast rolls stuffed with a savory filling), wiener schnitzel, goulash (Hungarian meat stew, usually seasoned with paprika and other spices), sauerbraten (a national dish of Germany featuring marinated pot roast, cooked and served with a rich, sweet-sour gravy), halupki

(stuffed cabbage) and haluski (cabbage and noodles) from Foodstuff

Strudel (I highly recommend the apple) and German roasted almonds from Heidi’s Strudel. (You can see the almonds roasted on site in a machine from Germany.) Apple dumplings, apple crisp, hot brownie sundaes, creme brulee croissants, frozen cheesecake on a stick, artisan sandwiches and more from Island Expressions Pizza, calzones, stromboili

and more from Nico’s Pizza Chicago dogs, chili cheese dogs, pepper jack stuffed dogs, vegan dogs and more from Van Pelt Hot Dog Co.

Drink and be merry

New to this year’s market is the Holiday Spirits & Wine Tasting. Each Saturday at 4 p.m. during Christkindlmarket, you can taste a featured local spirit or wine.

Here’s the schedule of tastings:

Dec. 8, Franklin Hill Winery Dec. 15, Eight Oaks Craft

Distillery

Dec. 22, Colony Meadery Admission includes entry to Christkindlmarkt, an instructional presentation of the drinks offered and two specialty samples.

How much: $25; $18 for ArtsQuest members silver and above and Christkindlmarkt season pass holders.

Tasty gifts await

Make this the year you give the gift of food or drinks. From fresh cheese to local wines and spirits, you’ll find a gift for that

foodie in your life. Here are a few: Delicate Dutch cinnamon cookies with homemade caramel inside from Stroopies of Lancaster

Spirits: Social Still of Bethlehem, with its distilled spirits, gift packages and merchandise; Eight Oaks Craft Distillers of New Tripoli will have handcrafted spirits using grains grown on Valley farms.

Artisan cheese from Keystone Farms of Bethlehem

Chocolate truffles from Chocolate Moonshine Co. of Glenmoore, Chester County Mustard in a variety of flavors from CJ’s Gourmet Mystic Mustard of Hellertown Honey products from Heaven’s Honey of Bethlehem

Tea and herbal blends from The Tea Can Co. of Pipersville, Bucks County

PHOTOS BY AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL A variety of spirits are for sale at Social Still at Christkindlmarkt. New this year's market is the Holiday Spirits & Wine Tasting. Each Saturday at 4 p.m. during Christkindlmarket, visitors can taste a featured local spirit or wine.

Dog treats that look like favorite desserts like cookies and cannoli are available at Me and My Dog pet bakery.

German strudel is offered by Heidi's Strudel stand , which sells strudel and dry roasted nuts.

Dry roasted nuts coated in cinnamon and sugar are at Heidi's Strudel stand which also sells strudel.

Chocolate Moonshine Co. offers a variety of chocolates for sale in gift boxes or unwrapped.

AMY SHORTELL/THE MORNING CALL Chocolate Moonshine Co. offers 30 different flavors of moonshine bars made with fine Belgian chocolate, Madagascar vanilla and pure cane sugar sweetener.