What is "stutenkerl"

A Stutenkerl belongs to the Saint Nicholas tradition in the German-speaking countries. It is a pastry made of Stuten, sweet leavened dough, in the form of a man (Kerl is German for 'lad' or 'fellow'). Stutenkerl is usually available around Saint Nicholas' Day, December 6th, but in parts of the Rhineland at Saint Martin's Day in November.

There are numerous regional names for the Stutenkerl, such as Kiepenkerl, Weckmann (in the south west), Klaaskerl, Stutenmann, Hefekerl, Männele, Boxemännchen (in Luxembourg), Grittibänz and Grättimaa (Switzerland) etc.

The pastry often contains raisins and features a clay pipe. This pipe may be from the Reformation, to make the originally catholic bishop figure more secular.