I've been looking around for this book and was only going to take a look but as soon as I opened I knew I needed to invest. In addition to the recipes, the author Anja Dunk has done everything – from sourcing props and styling the photographs to making the Lino cuts between each chapter. She gives us stories from her own life to go with the bakes. It's like a gift, as much as book. I particularly loved the descriptions of doing things like making the salt-flour Advent wreath and what that means to their family. For me, the only negative is that I wish the designer had used a lighter colour background for the chapter openers. It's really difficult to read the small black type against the deep wine-colour page. However, she writes so well it's worth deciphering and thankfully the recipes are easier to read, black type on white paper. It's the perfect companion for such a special time of year.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this before, it's a Christmas changing wonder of a book. It's not just biscuits, but the biscuits have to be the main attraction and biscuits are for life, not just the festive season. Clear instructions and recipes that work, this is the chance to adopt a really lovely baking tradition and make it your own. Don't like mince pies - not a problem, left over marzipan? There's some excellent uses for it here. Fancy an alternative to fruit cake - Anja has you. Want something you can make weeks ahead and that keeps a month - this is the book. Want to make homemade gifts, experiment with weird ingredients (harsthorn and bakers ammonia) make your home smell amazing - again, all here. Cannot recommend highly enough.

I am so pleased I bought this book. It combines well written recipes with charming lino cuts to create a lovely looking and easy to use cookbook. I sense it was written with a real love of German Christmas baking and we have enjoyed all the recipes I have tried so far.

This is a fantastic book. Not only is it gorgeous to look at, every recipe I have made so far has been a hit. I’ve found that a lot of ingredients run through a lot of the recipes, so you’re not having to spend a fortune buying a million different ingredients just to use a little of each. Would thoroughly recommend.