Saint-Nicholas Day is celebrated in Alsace, with Manala, a brioche dough bread filled with milk

Every year on December 6, Saint Nicholas Day, the patron saint of children and the model for Santa Claus, is celebrated.

In France, Saint Nicholas is most frequently celebrated in Grand Est, Hauts-de-France, and l'ex-Franche-Comté.

Manala 2022

In Alsace, the Grand Est, there is a tradition of eating Manala (man-shaped food) on Saint-Nicholas.

Manala is a brioche dough, milk-filled bread, but it comes in many versions, from simple to chocolate chip-filled, cinnamon-flavored, fried bread, and more.

In 2022, I think I see cookies more often, especially in patisseries, instead of brioche dough.

Did you know that Manala is called differently in different regions?

The name "Manala" varies from region to region, even within Alsace.

Männele : In the north of Alsace, Bas-Rhin, where Strasbourg is located

Männala : In the south of Alsace, Haut-Rhin, where Colmar is located