Christmas is the best time of the year for food. It’s the time to eat elegant delicacies, rare treats, and decadent desserts. Christmas Cookies have a special role at Christmastime. A fun activity to do with the children, baking and decorating Christmas Cookies fills the house with festive smells. Christmas cookies make wonderful Christmas tree decorations, gifts, and snacks (especially with warm eggnogg!).
In this article I will cover a wonderful variety of traditional and modern recipes, all delicious and all easy to make. Here’s the breakdown:
- History of Christmas Cookies
- Cultural Christmas Cookies
- Popular Christmas Cookies
- Tips for the Best Christmas Cookies
A Little History of Christmas Cookies
Christmas Cookies have been a Christmas tradition since the 16th century. The practice of baking spiced cookies for the festive season began in Medieval Europe. The boom of the spice trade saw increasing use across the continent and adopted into cooking methods.
Sugar and spice cookies were perfect flavours for a Christmas time treat, and would last for a long time. Cookie dough was the perfect texture to cut into Christmas shapes and baked. Cookie candy canes, trees, stars, angels and reindeer were decorated and hung on Christmas trees, mantlepieces or piled into gift jars.
Since the 1930’s, American children have left cookies and milk on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus. Making Christmas cookies is a tradition that the whole family can enjoy.
Cultural Christmas Cookies
Christmas Cookies originated in Europe, so it is no surprise that there are many beautiful European variations. Known for their classic shapes or blend of spices, these European and Scandinavian recipes are incredibly festive. Make them with your children to decorate your tree, hang on a wreath, or gift to a friend.
Lebkuchen
Lebkuchen is an aromatic cookie which began in Germany and is the foundational recipe for a lot of these other European recipes below. Laced with cocoa powder, this spicy delicacy is an elegant and rich Christmas treat that looks fabulous as a Christmas Tree decoration, and fills your home with festive smells.
Gingerbread
This Czech Gingerbread Cookie is a popular recipe to make at Christmas time in that country. Laced with Rum, lemon zest, and spice, these cookies are a heart-warming comfort food for a cold Christmas Evening.
Bredele
This classic bredele recipe is a traditional French Alsatian Cookie. Akin to a butter cookie, bredele cookies can me cut and made into a beautiful edible gift for your family and friends.
Fattigmann
Fattigmann cookies are of Norwegian origin. They are made of the same ingredients as many spiced cookies, but fattigmann cookies are fried rather than baked.
Kerstkransjes
Kerstkransjes are traditional Christmas cookies from the Netherlands. Shaped like wreaths, they are round with a hole in the middle, with almond chip decorations. These cookies are a perfect adornment for a Christmas tree. Check out the recipe here.
Krumkake
Krumkake is a Norwegian waffle cookie with a classic cone shape. Krumkaker are thin, buttery and delicate. These Christmas are made in a two-sided iron griddle that is imprinted with intricate designs. They are truly elegant.
Pepparkakor
Pepparkakor are Swedish ginger snap cookies, traditionally served at Christmas time. They are less sweet and have a slightly more complex flavor. These delicious Christmas Cookies are usually flower or heart shaped.
Pfeffernüsse
Pfeffernusse are German Spice Cookies with a twist! These delicious Christmas treats have kick of pepper along wither other classic gingerbread spices. Pfeffernusse are lighter in colour than other spiced Chritmas Cookies, since they use honey instead of molasses. These delicious cookies are finished off with a striking white sugar glaze.
Speculoos
Speculoos, also known as Speculaas or Dutch Windmill Cookies, are a holiday cookie that is traditionally made for the Feast of St. Nicholas in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Austria. They are a shortbread type cookie, with a lot of spices, like cinnamon, added, which makes them fragrant and tasty!
Sandbakkels
Sandbakkels are a traditional Norwegian sugar cookie, characterized by their shell-like shape and sandy texture. Traditionally eaten as is or filled with cream and fresh fruit, like mini tarts, Sandbakkels are a dainty Christmas treat.
Springerle
German anise-flavored Springerle cookies go back at least 700 years. Traditionally made as special gifts during theholidays and other celebrations, these elegant cookies are delicately crispy with a slightly chewy center. They are easy to make and use simple ingredients. This authentic Springerle recipe goes back to the Swabia region of Germany where these famous cookies originated.
Popular Christmas Cookie Types
Sugar cookies
Sugar Cookies are basically a gingerbread cookie without the spice. The cookie dough is cut into shapes which hold during baking. They do not rise very much and have a texture similar to, but lighter than short bread. The cookies are iced with many colours and sprinkles once cool.
Gingerbread Houses
Gingerbread Houses make a great Christmas centerpiece, mantle-top decoration, or gift. They are a great activity to do with children, but definitely require mature handling! This recipe is a tried and true vegan gingerbread cookie recipe with vegan royal icing. The cookie recipe is perfect for building a house or simply stamping with festive cookie cutters.
Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodle cookies are a combination of 2 popular cookie recipes: sugar cookies and cinnamon cookies. Christmas Snickerdoodle cookies include festive holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Rolling in coloured sugar or sprinkles before baking gives these cookies a fun and festive appearance.
Peppermint Chocolate Cookies
These Peppermint Chocolate cookies are flavoured with chocolate, studded with peppermint bits and dipped in white chocolate for the ultimate Christmas Treat!
Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies
Cookies are deceiving. The humble cookie may not be a complicated dessert, but there are a few pressure points to get the cookie exactly the right crunch, texture, and colour. Here are a few things to remember when striving for the perfect cookie.
Essential Baking Equipment
- Baking Paper
- A metal Baking Tray or this silicone one would be amazing!
- Cookie Cutters
- Piping Set
- Cookie scoop
Ingredients and Measurements
- With cookie baking, it is imperative to follow the recipe exactly. Baking is a science, not an art, and if one is too liberal, then the cookie will not turn out as expected.
- If a recipe calls for room temperature ingredients, do it! Room temperature eggs and butter incorporate better when mixed.
- Be careful when substituting vegan or gluten free ingredients. Gluten free flours have different absorbency to white flour, so be sure to follow the instructions on the packet closely.
- White sugar makes a crispier cookie, white brown sugar makes cookies soft. Generally, the recipe will have the right ratio for the perfect cookie texture, so follow that!
Baking Techniques and Tips
- Chill the cookies before rolling to firm up the dough and help with shaping, and stop too much spread during baking.
- Make sure the oven is hot, but not too hot. Cookies cook quickly at a temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius. This gives them a crunchy exterior and soft interior.
- Keep an eye on the cookies. They cook super fast, and there can be minutes between being underdone or overdone. Use the recipe as a guide, but don’t trust it blindly. Remember, all ovens are different!
- Only bake one tray at a time for even baking and colour.
Conclusion
Christmas Cookies are a timeless tradition for a reason. They are delicious and festively flavoured. Baking and decorating cookies are a wonderful activity to do with your children to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. They also make an attractive and delicious Christmas gift. Let me know if you make any of these recipes…and may your holidays be filled with delicious memories!
