Sweet milestone: 10 million Zaunerstollen produced

To this day, Zaunerstollen is handmade in Bad Ischl according to a closely guarded original recipe – known to only a handful of people and kept in a safe – and shipped halfway around the world. What once began as a creative way to use up leftovers has long since become one of the most famous souvenirs from the imperial city – a piece of Bad Ischl "to go," so to speak.

200,000 units per year – the 10 million mark was broken in May.
Around 200,000 Zaunerstollen leave the bakery every year. Based on historical records – dating back to 1905 – the exact date could be determined: the ten millionth Zaunerstollen was sold in May. "Our bestseller has been in demand for decades – and is more popular today than ever," says Philipp Zauner, who runs the traditional confectionery in its seventh generation. During the research into the sales figures, the original cast-iron mold for the Zaunerstollen from the early years was also rediscovered – a piece of living company history.

A taste of the Salzkammergut
„The Zaunerstollen is far more than a world-famous – and above all, award-winning – pastry: it is a piece of Upper Austrian identity and a culinary ambassador of the Salzkammergut region far beyond our borders. The fact that the ten millionth Zaunerstollen was produced this May impressively demonstrates how deeply rooted tradition, quality, and hospitality are in Upper Austria. The Zaunerstollen and the Zauner confectionery represent that unique blend of culture, enjoyment, and lifestyle that makes the Salzkammergut so internationally unique,“ emphasized the economic advisor.
and Tourism Minister Markus Achleitner during the presentation of the anniversary piece in the form of a sculpture.

„The Zaunerstollen and the region’s pastry culture exemplify what makes the Salzkammergut so internationally attractive: authentic enjoyment, time-honored tradition, and the highest quality. They ideally complement our core holiday themes – from hiking and cycling to mountain and lake experiences, culture, and relaxation. It is precisely this combination of activity and moments of indulgence that makes a stay holistic and unique. Culinary delights thus become a crucial competitive factor and contribute significantly to positioning the Salzkammergut as a culturally rich and pleasure-oriented destination both domestically and internationally,“ says Frank Jost of Salzkammergut Tourism Marketing GmbH.

Mayor Ines Schiller conveyed her congratulations: „A special moment for our city: Today, the 10 millionth Zaunerstollen is being presented at the traditional Zauner confectionery. The Zaunerstollen is far more than a delicious specialty – it is a piece of Bad Ischl's history and an ambassador for our city far beyond its borders. For generations, the Zauner family has stood for the highest quality, tradition, and craftsmanship. I warmly congratulate the Zauner family and the entire team on this impressive milestone.”

From cult pastry to art object
To mark the anniversary, the Zaunerstollen itself became a work of art for the first time: Artists Michael Ferner and Martina Kreuzer created "s'Zaunerl," a unique and humorous sculpture. The Zaunerstollen is personified – borrowing elements from its characteristic shape and complemented by arms and legs made of chocolates.
„We’re breathing life into the Zaunerstollen and making it stand on its own two feet. Inspired by chocolate and nougat dreams, the s’Zaunerl looks as if it has just stepped out of the baking tin,“ Michael Ferner describes the idea. „With its hands, it forms a heart and gives itself away as a gift.“
The sculpture combines traditional confectionery craftsmanship with contemporary art and is conceivable in various designs and materials – from sealed in gold to colorfully glazed. "A brand ambassador with collector potential," say the artists.

Golden „s’Zaunerl“ raffled off and ceremonially presented
To celebrate the sale of the ten millionth Zaunerstollen (a traditional German Christmas cake), a commemorative sculpture was gilded and raffled off among customers. The lucky winner, Herbert Haid from Kitzbühel, received the golden "s'Zaunerl" (a small, golden Zaunerstollen) on May 12th and was also given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look. The prize was rounded off with a stay at the Hotel Grand Elisabeth, a gondola ride up the Katrin mountain, and dinner at the Grand Café & Restaurant Esplanade – a true "Very Best of Bad Ischl" experience.

The origin: Ingenuity meets craftsmanship
The history of Zaunerstollen dates back to 1905: At that time, bakery manager Josef Nickerl was looking for a way to make good use of the broken pieces of communion wafers left over from baking. His solution was as simple as it was ingenious: He
He mixed the leftovers with a hazelnut chocolate mixture, spread it onto wafers and formed small macarons from them.

This idea quickly developed into a bestseller. The recipe was refined, the mixture poured into loin-shaped molds and coated with dark chocolate – the Zaunerstollen was born. Long before "zero waste" became a trend, Zauner was already committed to sustainable resource use.

„"A piece of living history"“
„The story of our best-selling product began with a handful of broken wafers. From this arose a sweet rescue mission – and ultimately our Zaunerstollen,“ says Philipp Zauner. „Today it is a piece of living history and Austrian pastry culture.“
The Zaunerstollen is now available in various versions and sizes – from 22.5 grams as a petit four to 700 grams – and also with milk chocolate icing.

(c)Ebihara / Auer

Zauner goes West: kuk Hofzuckerbäckerei opens pop-up store in Innsbruck

Spanning 40 square meters at the RAIQA, Zauner presents a curated selection of its most popular specialties – from the legendary Zaunerstollen to the finest confectionery, adapted to each season. During the Advent season, for example, visitors can look forward to an atmospheric "Zauner Christmas World": featuring high-quality Advent calendars, traditional Christmas pastries, and exclusive New Year's lucky charms – quality that can not only be seen but, above all, tasted. Each product is meticulously handcrafted with extensive experience, a delicate touch, and a love for detail in the bakery in Bad Ischl. The selection is complemented by a special visual highlight: an artfully designed display piece from the Zauner bakery offers a glimpse into the company's renowned confectionery artistry.
The offer is aimed at both locals and the numerous national and international guests who visit Innsbruck year after year – and who would like to take a piece of Austrian pastry culture home with them.

„"We make Bad Ischl a tangible experience"“
„With the pop-up store in Innsbruck, we are consciously taking a first step westward – and at the same time, our first outside of Bad Ischl,“ explains Philipp Zauner, who runs the family business in its seventh generation. „We want to show that the unique combination of tradition, craftsmanship, and quality can also be experienced in a new location. Especially in a time when so much is mass-produced, it is important for us to demonstrate what true handcraft means. Our products bear the signature of our pastry chefs – and that is precisely what makes them so special. The magic of our homeland cannot be copied – but you can taste it. And that is exactly what we are bringing to Tyrol.“

The choice of location is no coincidence: RAIQA represents a modern, flexible usage concept with innovation and urban dynamism – ideal conditions for a traditional building that is consciously evolving. Tyrol and the Salzkammergut region also share a common understanding of quality, craftsmanship, and living tradition. "The people of Tyrol have a keen sense for genuine quality – and that's precisely what we've stood for for generations," says Zauner.
RAIQA also sees the collaboration as a strong signal: Having a traditional company like Zauner as the first pop-up tenant underscores the ambition to create a new, vibrant meeting place in the heart of Innsbruck. "With the pop-up store, we've created an open space at RAIQA for new concepts and special brands that constantly provide fresh impetus. We're particularly pleased that we were able to secure Zauner confectionery for this," explains Christof Splechtna.

With "Zauner goes West," the hotel embarks on an exciting pilot project in its 194th year – one that connects past and future. For the people of Innsbruck, this means one thing above all: they can look forward to an extraordinary opening and delightful culinary experiences otherwise only found in Bad Ischl. "The Salzkammergut region is visiting Tyrol. And it's bringing its best with it," says Philipp Zauner.

For further information, please contact:
Martina Macho PR
Martina Macho
Tel: 0664/396 90 58
mailto:martina@macho-pr.at

Four gold medals for the Zauner confectionery at the BÄKO confectionery competition 2026

BAD ISCHL – The Zauner confectionery can celebrate an outstanding success at this year's confectionery competition for bakers and confectioners: The traditional company was awarded the gold medal four times.

Furthermore, three products achieved group victory:

*Chocolate bar „Almond-Pistachio“ in the category filled bars (min. 50g) – chocolate filled in the form of bars or tablets with 100 points
*Cut praline „Mandarin-Pecan“ in the cut praline category (max. 20g) with 99 points
*Truffle „Empress Elisabeth“ in the truffle category (max. 20g) with 96 points

The "Pistachio-Raspberry" cut praline also achieved the gold medal with 98 points.

The award-winning products reflect both the company's long-standing experience and its innovative strength.

„These awards are a great honor for us and confirmation of our daily work. Our special thanks go to our chocolate sommelier Andreas Schögl, who created the products with passion,“ said Philipp Zauner, Managing Director of Konditorei Zauner.

The BÄKO Confectionery Competition is one of the most important events in the industry and annually recognizes outstanding achievements in the confectionery trade. The four gold medals underscore Konditorei Zauner's leading position within the industry and confirm its high quality standards.

The expert jury, led by KommR. Mst. Leo Jindrak and Mst.in Brigitta Schickmaier, evaluated the works according to a strict 100-point system, in which, in addition to the appearance, taste and craftsmanship were particularly important.

The "Almond-Pistachio" chocolate bar is already part of the Zauner confectionery's product range and can be purchased at https://zauner.at/produkt/pistazie-vollmilch-milchschokolade/ as well as at the main store in Pfarrgasse.

The „Empress Elisabeth“ truffle was created especially for the Hotel Grand Elisabeth in Bad Ischl and is used there as a welcome gift for guests.

In the photo: Philipp Zauner, managing director of Konditorei Zauner, and chocolate sommelier Andreas Schögl

For further information, please contact: Verena Böck | verena.boeck@zauner.at | +43 6132 23310

Austria's best eggnog comes from Bad Ischl

BAD ISCHL – Great joy at Zauner: The traditional Zauner egg liqueur has been awarded the title of best egg liqueur in the country at the prestigious Falstaff Egg Liqueur Trophy. This victory sees the product prevail against numerous high-quality entries from across Austria, confirming the outstanding quality of the company.

At the top of the egg liqueur rankings is a trio: Two German manufacturers and the egg liqueur from the Zauner confectionery share first place with 96 points.

The Falstaff jury, comprised of experienced experts, evaluated the following criteria: taste, consistency, aroma, and overall impression. Zauner egg liqueur impressed with its subtle scent reminiscent of fresh sponge cake. Not too thick, yet surprisingly robust, with a lovely hint of vanilla. Falstaff described its rich yellow appearance, with visible pieces of vanilla bean, as "a perfect example, albeit with a punch.".

„This award is a great honor for us and at the same time a confirmation of our daily work,“ says Philipp Zauner, Managing Director of Konditorei Zauner. „We place the utmost importance on high-quality ingredients, traditional recipes and careful production – the fact that this has now also been recognized by Falstaff as the best egg liqueur in the country makes us very proud.“

The award underscores the importance of regional products and production. The eggs are sourced from the Reither organic farm in Regau. Zauner's confectionery requires approximately 400,000 eggs annually. The dairy products come from the regional Gmundner Milch dairy.

The results were published in Falstaff Recipes magazine just in time for Easter.

However, there's no reason not to enjoy this creamy drink year-round. The eggnog is available all year in the shop on Pfarrgasse in Bad Ischl and online at www.zauner.at.

In the photo: Philipp Zauner, managing director of Konditorei Zauner, and pastry chef Greg Thaniseb

For further information, please contact: Verena Böck | verena.boeck@zauner.at | +43 6132 23310

120 Years of Zaunerstollen – A Sweet Legend Celebrates Its Birthday

BAD ISCHL – In 1905, the now world-famous Original Zaunerstollen was created by the then head baker, Josef Nickerl. It is still produced today according to the original recipe and using traditional methods at the Zauner confectionery in Bad Ischl and is now shipped all over the world.

The Zaunerstollen has significantly shaped the Austrian patisserie and pastry tradition and has become a sweet icon of Bad Ischl.

To celebrate its 120th anniversary, the Zauner confectionery is presenting a special competition. By registering and participating, you can win the ten millionth Zaunerstollen, expected to be produced in mid-2026, in a special golden edition. (More information and terms and conditions of participation can be found at zauner.at/gewinnspiel-zaunerstollen)

„The Zaunerstollen is a piece of living history and Austrian pastry culture,“ says Philipp Zauner, Managing Director of Konditorei Zauner, who runs the confectionery in its seventh generation. „We are incredibly proud to be celebrating its 120th anniversary. We want to celebrate this occasion properly with our customers and friends and look forward to announcing the winner next year.“

In addition to the ten millionth anniversary stollen in the 120-year history, there is a unique package with many surprises to be won that cannot be bought – only won!

Today, as in the past, Zaunerstollen is a sought-after souvenir from the imperial city – not only for visitors from all over the world, but also for confectionery lovers. Whether in the traditional confectionery shop on the Esplanade, at the original shop in Pfarrgasse in Bad Ischl, or shipped worldwide: Zaunerstollen connects generations and remains a sweet piece of Austrian culture.

The Zauner confectionery is looking forward to the next 120 years of the sweet Bad Ischl legend.

Zauner employee residence extension

The history of the Zauner confectionery dates back to 1832 – a success story that has stood for master craftsmanship, innovation, and family values for almost two centuries. Continuous development and expansion have always characterized the Zauner company's entrepreneurial approach.
In recent years, increased investments have been made in creating modern and comfortable employee accommodation. The largest of the three employee accommodation locations, the Zauner Employee Residence in the center of Bad Ischl, has now been successfully expanded by 12 units of varying sizes. All units have their own kitchen and have been built to an exceptional standard.
„Even though it is difficult to create enough space for the required units in the center of Bad Ischl, it is very important to us that our employees can live within walking distance of their workplace. With this expansion, we are creating additional capacity and achieving a very high quality of living for our team,“ emphasizes Managing Director Philipp Zauner.
In just eight months of construction, the existing building was expanded by approximately 450 square meters and a 45 kWp photovoltaic system was installed, which now feeds valuable electricity into the company's own energy community. Currently, nearly 501,030 tons of the Zauner confectionery's total electricity consumption is covered by its own production. This represents a further step towards sustainability and responsible business practices.

Andreas Schögl is Bad Ischl's first chocolate sommelier

BAD ISCHL – With passion, expertise, and a great deal of finesse, Andreas Schögl, master confectioner at Konditorei Zauner, has made history: He is the first certified chocolate sommelier from Bad Ischl. This year, for the first time in Austria, the state-recognized training program for chocolate sommeliers was offered to confectioners. The new advanced training program launched in February as a collaboration between the Academy of German Baking in Weinheim and the Food Academy.

As part of his project work, Andreas Schögl visited the Leopold Hasner School in Bad Ischl and took the children on a delightful journey of discovery into the world of chocolate. Together, they tasted various types of chocolate, engaging all their senses. "It was very important to me to convey the fascination and diversity of chocolate in a playful and sensory way," said Andreas Schögl. "Children, in particular, react without prejudice and with honesty – that made the tasting especially valuable."„

The dedicated confectioner Andreas Schögl has not only further developed his own professional repertoire, but also enriches the Zauner product range with a very special creation: As part of his further training, Andreas Schögl has developed an exclusive hazelnut chocolate.

But the new specialty is not only a treat for the palate, but also a contribution to a good cause: Part of the sales proceeds will benefit the Leopold Hasner School in Bad Ischl. Furthermore, the Zauner confectionery will double the proceeds. With this initiative, the Zauner confectionery, together with Andreas Schögl, aims to demonstrate its social responsibility and specifically support children and young people in the region, for example, by funding speech therapy or school facilities.

Confectionery manager Philipp Zauner is proud: „It’s impressive how much dedication and innovative spirit Andreas showed in completing this training. We are especially pleased that we can now present the fruits of his labor to our guests and at the same time do something good for Bad Ischl.“

The new hazelnut chocolate is now available in the Zauner confectionery shops and in the online shop at www.zauner.at – as a special moment of enjoyment, a gift idea and a sign of lived regional responsibility for the children of the Leopold-Hasner-School.

On October 21, 2025, Philipp Zauner, together with his wife Verena and chocolate sommelier Andreas Schögl, visited the Leopold-Hasner School and presented the new chocolate to both the director Theresa Schögl and the children.

Honoring Josef and Philipp Zauner

This award is intended to recognize "special services to the country's tourism".

Josef Zauner passed both the Austrian and German master confectioner's examinations, won awards at countless international pastry and patisserie competitions, and was one of the first television chefs to present desserts on ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) and Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Broadcasting). Under his leadership, the Zauner confectionery businesses were continuously modernized and expanded. In 1980, the company was awarded the Austrian coat of arms. Since 1988, Josef Zauner has been a visiting professor at the Japan Cake and Confiserie College in Japan. He also served for decades as a board member and chairman of the Bad Ischl Tourism Association.

Philipp Zauner graduated from the Klessheim Tourism School and completed his apprenticeship as a confectioner under world pastry champion Josef Fingerlos, both with distinction. He then studied business administration in Innsbruck, graduating at the top of his class and earning the title of "Student of the Year." In 2020, Philipp Zauner took over the management of the company from his father, Josef. Under his leadership, online sales and mail order have seen particularly strong growth. The company headquarters on Pfarrgasse underwent the largest investment in the company's history, undergoing a major renovation and expansion. The number of employee accommodations was tripled, and the workforce increased by nearly 501,000 employees. The company is now breaking new ground with the construction of the 4-star superior Hotel "Grand Elisabeth.".

„For decades, Josef Zauner’s unique life story was inextricably linked to the purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court, Zauner. Through his dedication to both business and tourism, he tirelessly contributed to the positive development of our region. A successful life’s work also requires a smooth transition of the business, and I am delighted to see Philipp Zauner continuing and expanding it into the seventh generation,“ said Regional Councillor Markus Achleitner.

Zauner confectionery receives the Pegasus Business Award in bronze

In 4 different categories, a top-class jury from politics, business and the previous year's winners selected the most successful, innovative and promising companies in the country.

In the "Success Stories" category, the Zauner confectionery from Bad Ischl was awarded the Pegasus in bronze. This award recognizes the company's current investment strength, which in recent years has expanded and modernized its main location in the center of Bad Ischl, significantly increased its room and accommodation capacity for employees, and broken new ground in the hotel industry with the Grand Elisabeth hotel project.

„I am personally delighted by this award, as it demonstrates the importance of our family business throughout the entire state. This is thanks to our exceptional team of nearly 160 employees, who deliver outstanding work every day, as well as to the six generations before me who have successively and with foresight developed our businesses. They laid the foundation for our current positive development,“ said Managing Director Philipp Zauner.

Hotel opening „Grand Elisabeth“

New opening in Bad Ischl: Grand Elisabeth Hotel

With the opening of the new "Grand Elisabeth" Hotel, a new chapter in the story of the Austrian Empress begins in the world-famous Austrian spa and imperial town of Bad Ischl. Inspired by the town's historical flair, the 4-star-plus hotel, with its 132 rooms including 3 suites, shines in a classic style with a touch of avant-garde. True to the spirit of the rebellious, tattooed Empress, the hotel stands for freedom, for letting go of the reins and simply enjoying life: "Follow your heart and not the crowds."„

Although the kitsch of Ernst Marischka's "Sissi" films is otherwise absent from the hotel, the impressive original film carriage stands in the lobby, and books about the Empress invite guests to browse in the lobby library. Apart from this small homage, however, the Grand Elisabeth focuses on portraying Elisabeth as a modern, independent, and strong woman who was a trendsetter in many respects and is still revered as an icon today.

Located right next to the Theater & Congress House and the legendary spa gardens, the Grand Elisabeth is in the heart of the spa town and just a short walk from Elisabeth's favorite place, the Imperial Villa of Bad Ischl. From here, you can easily enjoy Bad Ischl's diverse program, including its operetta festival, musical and theater productions, ballets and dance shows, as well as its many pop and, above all, jazz concerts.

Imperial and Royal Wellness Offers

Just as the Empress did in her day, beauty and wellness are paramount at the Grand Elisabeth. The „Organic Alps Spa by Dorissima“ offers facials and baths rooted in the region, using products from the Bad Ischl spa pharmacy, such as the special bath salt blend and creams of Empress Elisabeth, which are still produced today according to the original recipes.

In addition, pampering treatments from the „Organic Alps“ line of the multi-award-winning spa brand DORISSIMA are offered.

Two saunas and an indoor pool complement the facilities, and the fitness studio, in keeping with Elisabeth's own spirit, invites guests to exercise. The Empress was a disciplined pioneer in fitness and healthy eating.

Gastronomy to Elisabeth's taste

Just in time for the opening, head chef Daniel Gschwandtner has reinterpreted some of Elisabeth's favorite dishes with a touch of avant-garde flair. They are served in the "Grand Liberté" restaurant. The kitchen avoids both artificial etiquette and boring mainstream fare, and international dishes are interpreted with generous freedom. The desserts prepared by the kitchen are another highlight at the Grand Liberté. The hotel is owned by the Zauner family, owners of Café and Konditorei Zauner, who enjoy international renown for their chocolate creations.

Anyone visiting Bad Ischl should sample the Zauner delicacies from the former Imperial and Royal Court Confectionery at least once. Since 1832, their artfully composed strudels, cream slices, and cakes have been a sweet success story in Bad Ischl. The hotel's "To Go" shop tempts visitors with treats like the world-famous Zaunerstollen, Ischlertörtchen (a type of cake), and Grand Elisabeth Signature pralines. All perfect travel companions, souvenirs, and gifts.

The hotel bar "Violet Hour" entices guests with its signature violet spritz and invites them to let time flow freely. Here, the evening begins in a relaxed atmosphere with an aperitivo, allowing one's thoughts to wander freely.

Bad Ischl – imperial. vibrant. timeless..

The creators and operators of the Grand Elisabeth 4* plus Hotel are entrepreneur Herbert Ackerl, Josef Oehlinger (Kieninger Bau), and Philipp and Josef Zauner (Konditorei Zauner). This new, contemporary hotel, operated by the Grand Elisabeth Management Company, perfectly complements the existing hotel offerings for tourists, business travelers, and MICE participants. Located directly next to the theater and congress center and the spa gardens, the new Grand Elisabeth Hotel will be a meeting place for culture and art enthusiasts.

Grand Elisabeth Hotel

Tänzlgasse 6

A-4820 Bad Ischl – Salzkammergut

Tel: +43654720600

www.grand-elisabeth.at

Konditorei Zauner expands employee residence

For several years now, the gradual expansion of the housing options for Zauner's employees has become one of the company's most important investment priorities. In recent years, not only has the number of employees at the pastry shop grown by almost 30%, but the number of housing options within walking distance of the Zauner operations has also nearly tripled. Following the expansion of the employee residence, Zauner employees have approximately 60 apartments at their disposal.

"With this investment we will be able to offer an even better mix of different housing options for our Employees It is becoming increasingly important to cater to individual needs, and so we try to offer a wide range of options, from small single apartments to spacious apartments for couples, in order to best meet all requirements.“, Philipp Zauner, Managing Director.

As part of the expansion, the employee residence will also be equipped with a 65 kWp PV system, which will supply the building with the necessary electricity and distribute surplus energy to the two Bad Ischl company locations through the Zauner Energy Community, founded in 2025.

"By 2024, we were already able to cover almost 40% of our electricity consumption through our own production. Two additional PV systems will be commissioned this year, enabling us to produce at least 55% to 60% of our electricity needs ourselves. Our medium-term goal is to achieve full coverage through our own production.,” Philipp Zauner.

The project surrounding the expansion of the employee residence is being implemented exclusively with regional partners.