Bread for St. Nicholas

My daughter eyeing up her mannele before devouring it.
Photo taken in December 2011, in Strasbourg, France.

One of my favorite Alsatian holiday goodies is mannele.  It is sweet brioche that is shaped like a person, complete with raisins or chocolate chips for eyes.  It looks similar to a gingerbread man but it is bread rather than a cookie.  These treats are traditionally made for St. Nicholas day on December 6.  Strasbourg spreads the fun out and these buns can be found in bakeries from late November until early January.   I was known to buy one (or two) almost every day during that time period.  They were just too good not to enjoy them when they were around.

Some of these mannele had chocolate chips throughout!
Photo taken in December 2011 in Strasbourg, France

First thing first, she ate the eyes right off.
Photo taken in December 2011, in Strasbourg, France.