Japan’s Sweetest Christmas Secret: The ‘Bar Baum’ Transforms into a White Christmas Wonderland

Indulge in Edible Enchantment: O-kashi no Taiyo’s ‘Christmas Bar Baum’ Brings Kawaii Cheer Nationwide

As the holiday season draws near, a beloved confectionery from Chiba, Japan, O-kashi no Taiyo, is set to captivate hearts with its fourth Christmas dessert offering: the ‘Christmas Bar Baum.’ This treat, which previously garnered immense popularity in its Halloween iteration, now reappears in a charming ‘White Christmas’ theme, featuring designs inspired by Santa Claus, snowmen, and reindeer. Crafted with 100% Chiba-grown rice flour, these Baumkuchen bars promise a uniquely moist and chewy texture, delivered in a delightful stick format that resembles an ice candy.

The “Bar Baum” Phenomenon Goes Festive

The original Bar Baum captivated many with its innovative stick design and delightful taste. For Christmas, it evolves into an even more enchanting form, transforming into lovable holiday characters. This winter, the festive spirit extends beyond the confectionery itself, with an enhanced, adorable, and luxurious online-exclusive gift box, ensuring that this seasonal delight can be enjoyed across Japan.

These whimsical treats, coated in rich chocolate, offer a new sensation that combines the chewiness of Baumkuchen with the fun of an ice candy. The collection is designed to bring a maximal sense of excitement to your holiday celebrations.

A Trio of Holiday Delights: Meet the Christmas Bar Baums

The ‘Christmas Bar Baum’ collection features three distinct and charming designs, each with its own special flavor profile, all inspired by a sweet, milky, and rich white chocolate base, with a new matcha flavor making its debut:

• Santa Claus: Dressed in a vibrant red, this bar features a white chocolate base, crunchy red chocolate sprinkles, a cute Santa face chocolate, and crispy pearl crackle. Its appearance and taste are designed to evoke the ultimate Christmas mood, with a delightful interplay of textures and the smooth melt of white chocolate.

• Snowman: This elegant bar boasts a milky pink white chocolate coating, adorned with a charming little snowman chocolate wearing a light blue hat and scarf. It is generously sprinkled with sparkling silver edible glitter (arazan), creating a shimmering, snow-like effect. The crisp texture of the arazan provides a pleasant contrast to the smooth chocolate and chewy Baumkuchen.

• Reindeer: A first for the Bar Baum series, this treat combines white chocolate and a mild matcha chocolate in a half-and-half design. The reindeer topping is a mix of milk and dark chocolate, offering varying cacao notes with each bite. A raspberry-flavored crispy pearl crackle serves as the reindeer’s nose, adding a sweet and tart fruity note that complements the matcha. Silver-pink arazan adds a final sparkling touch, reminiscent of a snowy landscape. Keep an eye out for rare expressions on the reindeer’s face—hearts, troubled looks, or winks—making each discovery a delightful surprise!

These limited-quantity delights are designed to be enjoyed promptly, ensuring you savor this special seasonal Baumkuchen.

More Than Just a Treat: An Experience

These Bar Baums are crafted to elevate your holiday moments, offering a blend of convenience, visual appeal, and delightful taste.

• An Instant Instagram Darling: Designed to be held and enjoyed with one hand, much like an ice cream bar, these Baumkuchen bars are perfect for capturing joyful moments. Their inherent cuteness makes them a highlight in any photo, transforming them into edible Christmas ornaments that enhance any festive table setting.

• The Perfect Holiday Gift: Individually wrapped and easy to share, these treats are ideal for Christmas parties, children’s gatherings, or as thoughtful gifts for colleagues and friends. Their charming appearance is sure to spark excitement and smiles the moment they are unveiled. One customer enthusiastically shared, “I’ve never seen a Baumkuchen like this before!”

The Secret to Its Irresistible Texture: 100% Chiba-Grown Rice Flour

Beyond their enchanting appearance, the ‘Christmas Bar Baum’ boasts a deeply satisfying taste rooted in its core ingredient: 100% locally sourced Chiba rice flour. This particular rice flour imparts a distinctively chewy and moist texture that is difficult to achieve with wheat flour, along with a gentle sweetness from the rice.

Chiba rice flour is known for its fine, uniform particles, which contribute to the exceptionally smooth and consistent texture of the baked Baumkuchen. This commitment to local ingredients, known as Chisan-Chisho (local production for local consumption), is woven into every sweet. It fosters a connection between the confectioners and the land, ensuring peace of mind regarding the ingredients’ origin and infusing each bar with the warmth and comfort of local bounty. The entire process, from baking the round Baumkuchen to individually cutting the bars and meticulously hand-decorating each one, is a testament to the artisans’ dedication.

Online Exclusive: The “Kumanshe & Bar Baum” Gift Set

For those seeking a truly special holiday present, the ‘Christmas Bar Baum’ is available in an exclusive online gift box. This elegant package, featuring a sophisticated champagne gray box adorned with a white band of glittering blue snowflakes and a dusty beige ribbon, exudes both winter serenity and festive charm. It’s a gift designed to convey the giver’s refined taste, promising warmth and smiles from the moment it’s received.

This year’s online lineup also includes a “Kumanshe & Bar Baum” special assortment. This luxurious set combines the popular Bar Baums with “Kumanshe,” authentic maple financiers made with genuine Canadian maple sugar, presented in two Christmas-limited designs. This combination of top-selling holiday sweets is a highly anticipated offering, known to sell out quickly. As quantities are limited, now is the opportune moment to secure these delightful treats.

Where to Find Your Christmas Bar Baum

Make sure to grab these limited-edition treats before they’re gone!

• Availability: Until December 25th (Thursday)
  Quantities are limited; sales will end once stock runs out.

• Sales Locations:

  • All O-kashi no Taiyo physical stores

  • Rakuten online shop: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/etaiyou/xmas-stick-baum/

• Pricing:

  • In-store: 450 JPY (tax included) per bar

  • Rakuten: 2,580 JPY (tax included) for a gift box

• Shelf Life: 1 month

Connect with O-kashi no Taiyo:

• Rakuten Official Website: https://www.rakuten.co.jp/etaiyou/

• Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okashi_taiyo

• Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/okashi_TAIYO

• Official TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@okashi_taiyo

• Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/okashi_taiyou

• Official Threads: https://www.threads.net/okashi_taiyo

The Future of Kawaii Confections: A Global Delight

O-kashi no Taiyo’s ‘Christmas Bar Baum’ exemplifies how Japanese confectionery continues to innovate, blending traditional techniques with modern, ‘Kawaii’ aesthetics. These visually appealing, delicious, and conveniently packaged treats are more than just desserts; they are an experience, a photo opportunity, and a perfect gift that embodies the joyful spirit of the holidays. Such creations undoubtedly contribute to the global appreciation of Japanese sweets and the broader ‘Kawaii’ culture, potentially inspiring similar festive innovations worldwide and solidifying Japan’s reputation as a hub for delightful and imaginative culinary artistry.