23 March 2023

First taste of the 2024 European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl, Salzkammergut: Confectionery Zauner gives a preview of theme-related cake, tartlet and praline creations

Recently, Fashion.at came across recipes for the Zaunerkipferl, such as the one from the Austrian fresh dough producer 'Tante Fanny', which publishes the making of with a video. The recipe is one of the typical Austrian desserts named after its inventor, like the Sacher cake.

The Confectionery Zauner has a long tradition of creating exclusive confections and baked goods. The history of the family business began with the decision of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I to spend the summer months in Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut. In 1821, at the invitation of the Emperor's personal physician, the Viennese vintner and confectioner Johann Zauner moved to Bad Ischl, where he opened the first house of the company in 1832 (family history). Since then, the confectionery has created signature recipes such as the Zaunerstollen in the 1900s or the Zaunerkipferl, which was developed in the mid-20th century.

Today, Fashion.at talked to CEO Philipp Zauner on the phone about the popular Zaunerkipferl and whether there are any plans for next year, when Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut will be the European Capital of Culture. Recipes for Zaunerkipferl are easy to find online. The dough is very simple. But the filling is the secret that Zauner keeps under wraps. The mixture of nuts with a large portion of almonds, which used to be one of the more expensive ingredients and could only be afforded by a few in former times, and the spices used make the original Zaunerkipferl so special. The shelf life of a Zaunerkipferl is one day. The Zauner Cafe and Confectionery produces fresh goods seven days a week. Products like the Zaunerstollen can be kept for up to three months. For this reason, the Zaunerkipferl cannot be ordered online, while the Zaunerstollen or seasonal confectionery like Easter eggs or Easter bunnies are available at zauner.at/onlineshop/.

Fashion at asked Philipp Zauner if there are any special plans for next year when Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut region are European Capital of Culture. By the way: The title 'European Capital of Culture' has been awarded annually to cities and regions since 1985; 2024 will be the first time the title has been awarded to a rural region within the Alps.

Zauner has not yet revealed any details of what the visitors to Bad Ischl can expect to find in the confectionery during the cultural event. But today, Philipp Zauner gave a glimpse of what the Zauner team will be creating, such as its own Capital of Culture Cake (Kulturhauptstadt Torte), pralines and tartlets, and he revealed the first details of one of the flavors. The recipes are a tribute to the themes of the 2024 Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut. One of the themes is 'Salt'. The theme will be implemented in the form of a Zauner caramel-salt praline.

Images, from left: View of the garden of the Grand Café and Restaurant Zauner Esplanade in Bad Ischl, Salzkammergut. Photo: © Kressl. Right: Inside the café and restaurant with a view of a table having coffee and Zaunerkipferl. Photo: © 2008 Wolfgang Stadler, Photografie & Art Paper Bad Ischl.