Merry Christmas
and Happy New year!

Ingredients 

For the crust: 

• 200 g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour 
• 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar 
• 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 
• 1 large egg 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• A pinch of salt 

For the filling: 

• 500 g (2 cups) kohupiim or full-fat cottage cheese (preferably smooth or blended) 
• 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar 
• 2 large eggs 
• 100 ml (⅖ cup) sour cream 
• 1 tbsp semolina or cornstarch (to bind) 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 sachet vanilla sugar 
• Zest of ½ lemon (optional but traditional) 
• Optional toppings or additions: 
• Raisins or berries (blueberries, currants, or chopped apples) 
• Powdered sugar for dusting 

Instruction 

1. Prepare the dough 

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and rub them into the flour with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg and mix until a soft dough forms. It should come together but not be sticky. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes while preparing the filling. 

1. Make the filling 

In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, sugar, and eggs. Add sour cream, semolina (or cornstarch), vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix well until smooth. If your cottage cheese is grainy, blend it with a hand mixer or immersion blender for a creamier texture. 

3. Assemble the cake

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 24 cm (9-inch) springform pan or line it with parchment paper. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan and slightly up the sides. Spread the filling over the crust. Crumble or grate the remaining dough on top (optional, but gives a nice texture). 

4. Bake

Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and the center is set. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan. The texture improves as it cools.  

5. Serve

Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Serve warm or chilled, plain or with a spoonful of sour cream, jam, or fresh berries. 

Ingredients (for 4 servings) 

• 1 liter (4 cups) apple cider 
• 2 cinnamon sticks 
• 4 whole cloves 
• 2 star anise 
• 1 orange, sliced (plus zest if you like) 
• 1 small piece of fresh ginger (about 1 inch), sliced 
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup (adjust to taste) 
• Optional: ½ teaspoon nutmeg or allspice 
• Alcoholic variant: 120 ml (½ cup) dark rum, bourbon, or apple brandy 

Instructions 

1. Prepare the spices

Slice the orange and ginger. Tie the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise in a small piece of cheesecloth or use a spice infuser (optional but convenient). 

2. Heat the cider

Pour the apple cider into a medium pot. Add the spice bundle, ginger, orange slices, and sugar. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Let it simmer gently for 15–20 minutes (do not boil, or the alcohol will evaporate in the next step). 

3. Add alcohol (optional)

For the alcoholic version, remove from heat and stir in rum, bourbon, or brandy. 

4. Serve

Remove the spice bundle and orange slices. Pour into mugs or heatproof glasses. Optional garnish: cinnamon stick, star anise, or a thin orange slice. 

Answer these 11 questions to reveal the secret word. All questions are related to Christmas.

Question 1 – The moment that marks the transition from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. 

Question 2 – Sweet cookies made in various shapes, such as houses, Christmas trees, and little men.

Question 3 – A traditional plant that is hung over doorways during the holiday season and invites people to share a kiss beneath it. 

Question 4 – Bright decorations are hung on trees and houses to create a magical atmosphere during the Christmas season. 

Question 5 – Santa’s vehicle.

Question 6 – A bright red berry that symbolizes Christmas and is both decorative and edible.

Question 7 – Gives warm light during winter nights.  

Question 8 – Figure built outdoors on snowy winter days, often decorated with a carrot nose and scarf.

Question 9 – A unique frozen crystal falling from the sky.

Question 10 – Santa’s useful animals.

Question 11 – Traditional songs sung at Christmas that convey joy and peace.

It‘s time for the festive movie marathon! We have compiled a list of our favorite films in various genres for you.

Comedy 

• Home Alone (1990) 
• Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) 
• Elf (2003) 
• Jingle All the Way (1996) 
• The Santa Clause (1994) 
• The Grinch (2000 / 2018) 
• Four Christmases (2008)
• Bad Santa (2003)

Romantic 

• Love Actually (2003) 
• The Holiday (2006) 
• Last Christmas (2019) 
• While You Were Sleeping (1995) 
• Serendipity (2001) 
• Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) 
• New Year’s Eve (2011) 

Drama 

• It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) 
• The Family Man (2000) 
• A Boy Called Christmas (2021) 
• Silent Night (2021) 
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)