On Liichtmëssdag (Candlemas) – 2 February – the carnival season officially began in Luxembourg this year. For fans of this time of year, it primarily means dressing up, attending parties, and celebrating. From a culinary perspective, however, it also offers something for those who may not be in a festive mood but still enjoy indulging in something sweet.
Fueskichelcher, also known as Verwurrelter (or carnival cakes in English), have long been an established tradition in the Grand Duchy. Texts dating back to the early 20th century show that this sweet and much-loved baking tradition is well over 100 years old and remains immensely popular to this day. The deep-fried pastry knots are loved across the nation.
It was therefore only a matter of time before Fueskichelcher featured in the RTL Readers’ Choice.
And now the votes are in, too: Here are your top 10 places for the best Fueskichelcher in Luxembourg.
All venues ranked in the top 10 will receive a sticker recognising them as one of Luxembourg’s best. More than 1,000 people took part in the survey.
Opening date: 2024
Address: 88-94 Rue de Soleuvre, 4499 Limpach, Reckange-sur-Mess
Contact: +352 285608321
Website: Lampecher Buttek
The APEMH opened their most recent bakehouse in Limpach in 2024, comprised of a shop and a ‘biscuiterie’. Before, they created their wares at other locations such as garden nurseries and industrial farms. The bakehouse is a whole new experience, says Limpach director Carine Schreiber. “It’s the first time we were able to launch a bakery and we only work here during the day. This is very important as we function differently to other bakeries.” Inclusion is key at APEMH, a foundation for adults with disabilities, as they seek to support and include staff benefiting from the charity’s assistance. According to our readers, their set-up works brilliantly, earning them the number one spot for the best carnival cakes.
In order to run smoothly, the bakery is active during daytime hours only, from 9am to 5pm, to allow staff to work at their optimal rate. APEMH is primarily aimed at people with intellectual disabilities, meaning they often experience behavioural or coordination difficulties. The bakery ensures recipes are made as simple as possible, allowing staff to complete their tasks without issue. “We don’t expect one person to bake a whole cake. For example, we’ll have one person weighing out ingredients, another adding measurements, we try to give people tasks that they can achieve. That way everyone is included in the whole process.”
Roger Gretsch, manager at the Limpach shop and bakery, explains the process for seasonal bakes such as the carnival cakes. “Our recipes have been adapted to simple language, so they can manage on their own. As manager I just have to check sometimes to ensure it’s running smoothly, but nothing more.”
One device used to help with the baking are special kitchen scales equipped with a traffic light system, with the light turning green when the correct weight has been achieved. This helps staff to ensure ingredients are weighed to the exact measurement required by the recipe.
The shop’s loyal customers are testament to how well the system is working, with people visiting daily to purchase biscuits, coffee, or the seasonal cakes. First place in the Reader’s Choice awards is not earned lightly, so congratulations to our winners. If you want to taste their carnival wares, be quick! The season is almost over.
Opening date: February 2016
Address: 14A Haaptstrooss, 7470 Saeul
Contact: +352 26622444
Website: Facebook
In the village of Saeul there is a small independent bakery, where RTL met with staff member Conny Moos, who trained at the bakery and has been employed there since 2023. “Stoffien”, as the carnival cakes are known up north, take up much of the baker’s work, more so than bread, baguettes or pastries. “It’s a lot of work, it’s true. We use so much oil, it’s just on another level. But it’s a must for carnival season!” Conny says.
The dough at the Jos bakery is a regular doughnut dough, fried in oil until it’s perfectly golden-brown. Unlike German “Stoffien”, these are made without quark.
The Saeul bakery’s second prize is explained very simply: “Our carnival cakes are just very good, I love them personally. I think it’s all the love we put in them! And all our knowledge, the fact we are an artisanal bakery, I think this makes a difference.”
The doughnuts are made fresh from scratch every evening – a “must” says Conny, as they taste best when they are fresh, although they can be eaten a couple of days after purchasing. But unlike other pastries which can be reimagined with exotic fillings, these traditional doughnuts should retain their classic form.
Opening date: 2006
Address: 26 Rue de Treves, 6793 Grevenmacher
Contact: +352 759475
Website: Facebook
In 1979 the Schiltz family opened their first bakery in the capital. Now their daughter, Martine Schiltz, runs the Grevenmacher branch along with her brother Daniel. The Grevenmacher bakery has been opened since 2006 with immense success. The bakehouse, open since 1994, sits directly across the road from the shop. The family also runs another shop in Niederanven.
Martine expressed delight at the news of the bakery’s third-place prize. “It’s always nice to hear, as we love our job. Our customers enjoy coming here, they enjoy our baked goods, so that’s lovely.”
Everything at Schiltz is handmade. This could be a reason for their popularity among RTL readers, Martine suggests. She says quality ingredients make the difference, like the butter used for their carnival cakes. A bakery does not usually spill its secrets, but Martine has a tip: “The fat we cook them in can’t be too hot, they need to be tender and not too sweet. We also use yeast, the mix makes the difference.”
According to our readers, she’s right – the difference means they round out our top 3!
Address: 58 Grand-Rue, 3394 Roeser
Contact: +352 367579
Address: 57 Rte d’Arlon, 7415 Brouch
Contact: +352 26610393
Website: https://www.jjm.lu/
Address: 11 Bd Pierre Dupong, 1430 Hollerich, Luxembourg
Contact: +352 441496
Website: Official site
Address: 42 Rue Grande-Duchesse Charlotte, 7520 Mersch
Contact: +352 327154
Online: Official site
Address: rue de Colmar-Berg, 7525 Mersch
Contact: +352 325707
Website: Official site
Address: 7 Rte de Luxembourg, 6210 Consdorf
Contact: +352 790040
Website: Facebook
Address: 32 Av. de la Libération, 3850 Schifflange
Contact: +352 548043
Website: Facebook
Address: ZAE Op Herbett, 3885 Schifflange
Contact: +352 2761431
Website: Official site
* These bakeries are larger chains operating multiple branches. In these cases, all votes were counted collectively, as the product remains identical across locations and is supplied from a central source. Photographs were taken at a randomly selected branch.
** Tenth place is shared, as both bakeries received exactly the same number of votes.
