Northern Kozoolyas

Baking pryaniks (gingerbread) is another folk craft which is very popular in the North. The origin of the word kozoolya may be explained by the fact that the most popular shape of such pryaniks was that of a sheep or a goat.

. Arkhangelsk kozoolyas vary in shape and colour: they may have the form of a sheep, a horse a reindeer, Santa Claus, a fir-tree, a swan, a house and so on. Arkhangelsk kozoolyas vary in shape and colour: they may have the form of a sheep, a horse a reindeer, Santa Claus, a fir-tree, a swan, a house and so on.

At first the art of kozoolya-making was a family craft, and every family had its own recipe which was kept secret. Nowadays you can buy both ready-made kozoolyas and all the things necessary for making them. At first the art of kozoolya-making was a family craft, and every family had its own recipe which was kept secret. Nowadays you can buy both ready-made kozoolyas and all the things necessary for making them.