Christmas Cookies & Bars From Around The World- America is baking cookies for the holidays. To honor the tradition I decided to put together a collection of cookie recipes from all over the world.
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I hope you will find in this article something to try even if you are not necessarily familiar with.
After all, each one of us has roots somewhere outside of this amazing country. Most of us kept or brought recipes that connect us with out childhoods, family and friends.
We keep making these recipes year after year because of the tradition but also because who we are from an ethnic perspective. Familiar spices, tastes and rituals make our life feel safer and comfortable.
One thing I noticed while I was writing this article is how many recipes of rugelach cookies are out there. This recipe has so many variations and it seems to come from all over Europe.
Eastern Europe is the champion of making it. Hungarians might claim the recipe as theirs, but everyone else makes a version of it.
I tried to keep all of them in this post, because each country makes them differently. You should try one or two versions and see how they are.
So, my friends here is my collection! Happy baking!
Christmas Cookies & Bars From Around The World
AUSTRIA:
“These light and crisp cookies are always shaped like a crescent and dusted with vanilla sugar.”
CZECH REPUBLIK:
“These cookies are wafer thin and crisp, but they are not delicate cookies. Lots of dark molasses, cloves, cinnamon and ginger, these cookies have a nice spicy flavor!”
These Czech bars with jam and walnuts are super easy to make and very delicious. An Old World recipe, the bars are buttery, sweet and perfect for any occasion.
DENMARK:
“Brunkager are Danish Christmas cookies with a delicious spiced flavor and a wonderful crunch. Perfect to add to your cookie plate.”
“Beautiful short buttery cookies packed with desiccated coconut and topped with a rum glaze.”
“These simple danish butter cookies are easy to make with children and brighten up everyone’s holiday.”
“Pfeffernusse are traditional European snowball cookies, crunchy and robustly spiced. Despite the literal “pepper nuts” translation of the name, these tasty holiday cookies are nut free! My Danish grandmother called them pebernodder, which is the Danish version. In actuality: pfeffernusse cookies are a firm, crunchy spice cookie traditionally made at Christmas time.
The dough is rolled into balls, baked, then coated in powdered sugar.”
“A traditional yuletide Scandinavian shortbread cookie topped with a tasty glaze of chopped almonds and sugar.”
Germany:
“Traditional German gingerbread cookie recipe from my grandmother who made them every year.”
“Zimtsterne, or German Cinnamon Stars are a light, gluten free cookie which I discovered in Germany at the Christmas markets. You can make them in your own kitchen; they’re so good!”
GREAT BRITAIN:
“Classic shortbread is one of the most delicious and easiest recipes to make. Buttery and soft, classic shortbread will melt in your mouth!”
Chocolate Cookies with Earl Grey Ganache, are delicate cookies, perfect for holidays. The bergamot from the Earl Grey brings elegance to the scene.
GREECE:
“This Greek Baklava recipe has walnuts and cinnamon layered between flaky phyllo dough brushed with melted butter then baked and drizzled with a sugar and honey syrup to create a crispy, sweet, and impressive dessert!”
“Gooey, sticky traditional Greek Christmas honey cookies with delicious festive flavours. There’s no way you’ll be able to eat just one!”
“Meyer Lemon Greek Butter Cookies {Kourabiedes} are classic Greek holiday cookies with a refreshing citrus twist. They’re so easy to make, and are perfect for your holiday baking!”
HOLLAND(NETHERLANDS):
“Kerstkransjes are a traditional Dutch Christmas cookie. Kerstkransje means ‘Little Christmas Wreath’ because these cookies resemble Christmas wreaths. Every year when Christmas approaches these cookies pop up in the supermarket. They’re so easy to make yourself though, so why not make a few yourself this year!”
HUNGARY:
“These traditional Hungarian Christmas Cookies from nagyanya (grandma) are simply delicious. Each bite reminds you of the old country; a time of good food and fond memories. If you are looking for old-fashioned Christmas cookies, try this Hungarian Christmas Cookies Recipe!”
Another version of these delicious cookies is coming from the Adore Foods Blog.
ICELAND:
“Icelandic Christmas meringue cookies with cornflakes and chocolate are easy to make and taste delicious. These traditional Christmas cookies are known in Iceland as Marens Kornflex kokur.”
IRAK:
“Kleicha are about the most popular Iraqi date cookies. While they are typically eaten for Eid, the end of Ramadan, which is not this time of year, they are also eaten for a range of celebrations.”
IRAN:
“These golden and aromatic Persian Saffron Raisin Cookies (shirini kishmishi) are not only swoon-worthy to serve to your friends and family, but also very simple to make.”
ITALY:
“This unique two-step method of making these Brutti ma Buoni provides the perfect texture you come to expect from a meringue cookie. Crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside.
The combination of roasted nuts makes this Italian Hazelnut Almond Meringue recipe truly sensational!”
“Gorgeous Italian Rainbow Cookies – seven layers of sweet confectionery, layered in chocolate. Absolutely show-stopping on the plate, it’s the perfect holiday cookie!”
“This recipe for these Big Batch Soft Chewy Classic Italian Amaretti Cookies requires no introduction. They are easily recognizable. Everyone knows them. Everyone loves them. And just about everyone is looking for that perfect amaretti recipe.”
“Frappe or Cioffe are traditional Carnevale Italian bow tie cookies, for lack of a better name. The fried, slightly sweetened dough turns as light as angel wings, and tastes just as heavenly, especially with a dusting of powdered sugar!”
“An Italian Christmas Cookie from Sicily made with figs, dried fruit, liquor, nuts.”
JORDAN:
“Delicious and delicate Middle Eastern cookies that melt in your mouth…”
MOROCCO:
“This ghoriba bahla recipe is just sweet enough, super crunchy and crumbly and studded with ground fried almonds and toasted sesame seeds. I dare you to eat just one!”
NORWAY:
Krumkake is a delicate, lightly sweetened Norwegian cookie made on a krumkake iron. The iron has a pretty design which imprints onto the cookie. My family has been making krumkake for generations. It’s a cookie we only make around Christmas.”
“This recipe for cookies shaped into a figure eight is my grandmother’s recipe.”
POLAND:
This recipe for Kolachki is the one that my mom wrote out for me a million years ago when I first moved out on my own. I made it just a tiny bit healthier by substituting low fat Greek Cream cheese for regular cream cheese, and using low sugar preserves. I’m so happy to share it with you!
ROMANIA:
“Kossuth Kifli or Half Moon Cookies are delicious cookies from the old days. Very popular in Romania and other Eastern European countries, these cookies have a “cake” texture, are delicate and delicious and perfect for the holidays.”
“The cookies are flavored with rum, are very easy to make and taste delicious. Serve them next to a cup of your favorite tea, or coffee and enjoy an old recipe that is very popular in Romania.”RUSSIA:
RUSSIA:
“We make this honey, cinnamon and walnut rugelach every year. It’s just not Christmas without it!”
SERBIA:
Vanilice (Serbian Little Vanilla Cookies) • Curious Cuisiniere
“Vanilice are bite-sized Serbian Vanilla Cookies that are seriously addicting. With a nutty sweetness and a soft jam filling, they’re the perfect recipe to add to your next cookie platter!”
“A spin on the traditional Serbian Nut Bread, Potica cookies give all the flavor and feel of the bread in a tiny hand-held, delicious style.”
SPAIN:
Polvorones are traditional Spanish crumbly cookies made around Christmas time. The cookies can be flavored with cocoa, lemon, cinnamon etc. This is the recipe for polvorones with lemon or Polvorones con limon- the Spanish name. Make a great gift for your family and friends!
SWEDEN:
“A melt in your mouth, nutty cookie that is the perfect texture, and sweetness. A holiday tradition in our family.”
An almond-meringue crust sits atop a coffee-cake-like base, making these Swedish Visiting Cake Bars a natural accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee or tea.
My daughter and I recently had a lovely afternoon making Hallon cookies from Trine Hahnemann’s new book Scandinavian Christmas. This particular recipe was given to Trine by a friend called Alice Brax and this is her version of it. These jewel like cookies were delicious and I can think of no better pairing with a cup of tea over the yuletide season!”
Basler Brunsli (Swiss Chocolate Spice Cookies) • Curious Cuisiniere
“Swiss almond flour cookies, Basler Brunsli, boast a rich chocolate flavor, a light nuttiness, and a fun, chewy texture!”
“These Swedish Crescent Cookies are perfect for the Holidays and easy to make.”
UNITED STATES:
The Best Chocolate Chip And Walnuts Cookies recipe out there! This might be a keeper for some of you if you like soft cookies inside and crunchy outside.
This post was done with the help of lots of bloggers who enjoy cooking, baking and also love sharing their creations with their audience. Thank you all for participating!
Camilla Hawkins says
What an amazing selection of festive cookie recipes from around the globe, I’m particularly drawn to the Italian Ranbow Cookies which look so cheery and colourful. Thanks for including my cookies:-)
The Bossy Kitchen says
You are so very welcome! All these cookies looked very good to me but you are right, that Italian cookie is very colorful and festive.I hope everyone enjoys the post and get inspired to get in the kitchen and bake some delicious cookies!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
Great international collection of Christmas cookies! I want to try a few, for sure! Thanks for including my Zimtsterne from Germany and Cioffe from Italy!
The Bossy Kitchen says
You are very welcome, Christina! Please feel free to share the post with your audience!