The origin of bredele or braedele (Bas-Rhin and Moselle), bredala (Haut-Rhin), bredle (Strasbourg) is particularly difficult to establish. The only clues are the molds used in their manufacture, the oldest of which dates from the 14th century.
As for the recipe, it was first mentioned in writings dating from the 16th century.
Until the 1950s, these shortbread cookies were used to decorate Christmas trees. At that time, only children ate them, because their ingredients were rare and expensive: flour, butter, sugar …
There are specific bredele, those that are made around Christmas: they are called Winàchtsbredele, or Christmas cupcakes. Traditionally, the making of bredele begins at the end of November and continues throughout Advent.