Pflaumentoffel

German Christmas treat

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Pflaumentoffel Pflaumentoffel (probably etymologically related to Toffel, meaning 'stupid, clumsy person') is a traditional German edible sweet in the shape of a human figure made from dried or baked prunes and produced by bakeries, pastry shops and gingerbread makers for children for Christmas. The sweet became known through its sale at the Dresden Striezelmarkt.

[edit] The origins of Pflaumentoffel may go back to the seventeenth century. In 1653, the Elector of Saxony decreed that chimney sweeps (Essenkehrermeister) were allowed to employ children to assist with cleaning of chimneys from the inside. This practice usually involved young boy orphans who often went on to die of chimney sweeps' carcinoma. The children's task was to crawl through and clean the high and narrow chimney flues and stacks of municipal civic buildings, and is an early example of state-tolerated child labor. The chimney sweep assistants were sometimes called "fire ruffians", and one suggestion is that the word Pflaumentoffel derived from the words plum and fire devil. Pflaumentoffel were first mentioned by the painter Philip Otto Runge, who lived in Dresden and described the "little prune men" around Christmas 1801. In the 19th century, it was children, the "Striezelkinder", who, equipped with a tray, sold homemade Pflaumentoffel at Christmas markets in Saxony and the Ore Mountains. In 1910, children were prohibited from selling at markets. The Pflaumentoffel is regarded as a symbol of good luck and is maintained as a Christmas tradition. It is reminiscent of the idea that chimney sweeps are symbols of good luck, and of the parallel tradition that in some parts of Europe, St. Nicholas also comes down the chimney or that stockings are hung on the fireplace to be filled with sweets at Christmas time.

[edit] The Pflaumentoffel is modeled after a chimney sweep. It consists of about 14 dried or baked prunes, wooden sticks, a painted paper sphere as a head, a cardboard cylinder as a head covering, as well as a shoulder cape and a ladder made of paper covered with metal foil.

[edit] In Franconia, similar figures, called Zwetschenmännla (lit. 'small prune man') or Zwetschenweibla (lit. 'small prune woman'), are traditionally sold at Christmas markets, for example at the Christkindlesmarkt, Nuremberg.

Pflaumentoffel may look like a playful, slightly misshapen person, but its presence on the Christmas table is no accident. The treat dates back to rural holiday markets where street vendors shaped plums or marzipan into simple human figures to attract the eye of bustling shoppers. Over time the confection became a nostalgic marker of regional fairs, especially in the south where modest, hand‑rolled sweets are prized. Today families keep the custom alive by handing out a few to children after the Christmas pudding, turning the “toffel” into an end‑of‑feast joke that lightens the atmosphere while honouring an old market tradition.

When selecting Pflaumentoffel, aim for a firm but slightly yielding texture – the interior should be moist, not dry, indicating a fresh plum‑based paste or high‑quality marzipan. Look for a glossy, dusted sugar coating; excessive clingy sugar can signal over‑sweetening. Most specialist German delis and online shops ship them in airtight tins to preserve flavour. Keep them in a cool, dark pantry and consume within two weeks of opening; for longer storage, a single layer in a sealed container in the fridge will retain the subtle plum essence without the coating turning sticky.

Pflaumentoffel isn’t limited to being a decorative bite. Slice a few thinly and layer them on a cheese board beside aged Gouda or a sharp British cheddar – the sweet‑sour plum contrast works surprisingly well. For a festive twist, warm a handful in a pan with a splash of port and drizzle over vanilla ice‑cream for an impromptu dessert. If you’re hosting a children’s Christmas party, let the kids decorate their own “toffel” with edible glitter or a drizzle of melted chocolate, turning the traditional treat into a creative activity that keeps the spirit of the original market stalls alive.