Bierberg is the hidden gem of German Village in Columbus, Ohio.
Located on a quiet cobblestone street inside a tiny house with a strange facade, this family-run shop opens for only two months each year. A group of ladies, including family and friends, gather each year to bake thousands of Christmas cookies using the recipes Theresa Bierberg brought with her from Germany in the early 1900s. Today the shop is run by Theresa’s granddaughter Helen with help from her children and friends.
They are only open 9am-5pm, and they are always busy on the weekends.
Be patient. It is worth the wait.
The entryway is cramped, since most of the house is a kitchen. As soon as I step inside, my eyes light up at the sight of all the tins of cookies.
I wait for my turn, taking in the smells, watching the bakers in action, smiling to myself when I hear a German accent coming from the kitchen.
There are at least 25 tins filled with different types of cookies.
I never remember what any of the cookies are, however, someone is always happy to describe the flavors and tell me which ones I must try because they are the most traditional or are the favorites of the bakers.
Vanilla Stick
Hamelburg (Star Cookie)
What makes these cookies special is the subtle flavors of coconut and almonds.
I love the old-school scale used to weigh each box of cookies.
In addition to cookies, you can pick up a fruitcake.
And for the uber-traditional, they have these st. Nick Ginger Boys.
I was told these are commonly given to German children for Christmas.
Here is my half pound of loot!
Every one of these cookies is specia!
I can honestly say these are the best Christmas cookies I have ever had.
Green Christmas Tree
In addition to being very pretty, I loved the subtle coconut mixed into the cookie dough.
Springle
This was my least favorite of the bunch (only because it had less flavor), but it is one of the most well-known German cookies made with an simple egg-flour-sugar dough.
Hoernchen (Almond Crescent) – aka Best Cookie with a Coffee
This cookie shows off the true genius of Helen Bierberg and the skill of the women who work in her kitchen today.
The consistency of the cookie is perfect. And the pecan and almond flavors and the fact that it is not too sweet make it the perfect pairing with a good cup of coffee.
I was told that they pre-package 1-pound boxes of these because they are so popular.
I believe it. And I have a feeling I will be going back to get one.
Get some cookies!
Bierberg is open until December 28th (closed on Christmas Day). If you’re in Columbus, you MUST visit. They are located at 729 South 5th Street in German Village. It’s cash only. You may want to call ahead to confirm hours (614-443-9959).
Have you had any of these traditional German Christmas cookies?
in Germany! My aunt lives there and she always sends us a bunch of cookies (in those tin boxes) and Milka chocolat. So yum
T recently posted..Christmas Is All Around …
Lucky you!
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St. Nick looks like St. Nicholas that is celebrated on the 5th or 6th of december in Holland and Belgium 😀 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas
There are so many interesting holiday traditions around the world that overlap as they have been shared and adapted over the years.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Bierberg: traditional German Christmas cookies for four generations
These cookies look delicious. My mouth is watering just by looking at them. I would love to try the vanilla sticks.
Shalu Sharma recently posted..Funny Indian pictures
The vanilla sticks are a top seller and very tasty.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..The Brooklyn Bridge in Photos
Hi Stephanie.. thanks for sharing the delicious pictures of cookies… dear you made my start of the day by drooling for these cookies… ohh Jesus need to find something to eat.. I am starving now! By the way Merry Christmas.
No problem with having cookies for breakfast
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..The Brooklyn Bridge in Photos
They all look heavenly! However, I’m curious about St.Nick Ginger Boys because somehow they remind me of Lebkuchen — A Christmas treat that I tried in Nuremberg.
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I think they are similar or possible the same thing. I was trying to research the traditional cookies before I published this post, and there seems to be a lot of overlap in that region of the world and slight changes in spelling.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..8 Travel highlights of 2012 and why it is important to think about it
German treats are perfect in the wintertime! I really like the almond crescents, and those St. Nick ginger boys look really good too!
Audrey recently posted..The In-Betweens: When we are not Travelling
I didn’t actually try one of the St. Nick ginger boys this year. Now I have to wait another year!
My grandmother used to make so many different types of cookies at Christmas – I found out recently that it’s a family tradition and she and her sisters share many of the same recipes…I would love to have a place like this near me at the holidays!
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This was my family’s bakery
Thanks so much for writing this. We sadly closed in 2013, but one of us stumbled upon this and it made us all really happy to think about all of the memories!
Hi Abby,
Did your family ever publish a cookbook with all of the recipes? My sister and I would both love to have the hazelnut cookie recipe as well as all of the others! We are missing them and craving them. Just the thought of those wonderful cookies brought back so many memories to us as well!
I’m actually working on a recipe book! I would like to eventually get it published. I’m so glad you love our cookies!
Abby, that would be wonderful! I would definitely buy the book! I so miss the bakery, the fabulous cookies, quaint environment and lovely ladies. Nothing like it. So sad it closed…very much missed in German Village and Columbus, Ohio. Carol Horvath, Columbus