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Home » Christmas

Christmas Cookies From Around The World

Published: Dec 21, 2021 · Modified: Nov 14, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · Leave a Comment

Collage of recipe photos, with text: Christmas Cookies from around the world.
Collage of recipe photos, with text: Christmas Cookies from around the world.

Try the BEST inspiring Christmas cookies from around the world! Bake up tasty holiday cookie recipes from Germany, Italy, Iceland, Austria, and more and wow everyone with exciting tastes and textures.

Collage of cookie pictures.

I've put together an inspiring collection of Christmas cookies from around the world! I hope you'll love these global holiday treats.

There's something so magical about doing the Christmas baking. Holiday music playing, the scent of cinnamon and warming spices in the air, the wonders emerging from the oven...

I absolutely love holiday baking. And while there are always traditional recipes we make year in and year out, I also love trying new things.

It's fun to try out traditional recipes from around the world, and cookies are the perfect place to start.

Cookies are usually pretty easy, and there are traditional recipes from so many countries.

From Russian tea cakes and Italian pignoli, to Icelandic pipparkokur and German bethmannchen or German lebkuchen.

So, switch it up from snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies this year, and try some classic cookies from Poland, Denmark, or Sweden!

Collage of recipe photos, with text: Christmas Cookies from around the world.

The Recipes

So, without further adieu, here is the roundup of Christmas cookies from around the world!

I hope you'll find plenty of cookie recipes to inspire you. Be sure to let me know in the comments!

Christmas Cookies From Around The World

Get inspired by this roundup of the best Christmas cookies from around the world! This global selection of festive cookies, biscuits and biscotti will take your holiday baking to the next level.

Icelandic Pepper Cookies - Piparkokur

These Icelandic Pepper Cookies, (also called piparkokur or pepparkokur), are a very popular Christmas cookie. They have a similar taste to gingersnaps, but a little stronger and unique and a wonderfully chewy texture. Plus, they're super easy to make from scratch with no unusual ingredients!

German Bethmännchen Marzipan Cookies

Bethmännchen marzipan cookies are one of the most famous German Christmas cookies. In these marzipan cookies, the outside is firm and crisp, the inside is chewy, and they're studded with three crunchy almonds. Gluten-free and ready in 20 minutes.

French Sable Cookies

Make the classic French cookies at home! This easy Sable Cookies recipe creates a delicate, classic butter shortbread. They're crisp, rich, buttery, and delicious. Perfect for the holidays or a cookie exchange.

Maple Cream Cookies

Make this Canadian classic cookie! The simple maple infused cookies have a dreamy maple cream filling.

Christmas Tree Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread is a Christmas classic in Scotland and many other countries. In this fun recipe, the shortbread is made thickly and cut into tree shapes so they can stand up 3D to form a Christmas tree farm! A pretty way to display the tasty shortbread.

Vegan Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread is a classic Christmas cookie. This vegan version is dairy free and eggless, but has all the flavor of the traditional recipe! Make them into people shapes and decorate!

Pignoli Cookies - Italian Pine Nut Cookies

Make the classic Italian bakery cookies at home! Pignoli Cookies (authentic Italian pine nut cookies) are soft and chewy on the inside and have a slightly crispy texture on the outside. 

Austrian Linzer Cookies

Linzer Cookies are a classic Austrian treat. The rich and delcious cookies are sandwiched with strawberry or raspberry jam, with a shape cut out of the top. Easy, pretty and tasty!

Icelandic Christmas Cookies

Known in Iceland as Marens Kornflexkokur, these Icelandic Christmas cookies are made with cornflakes, meringue and chocolate. They are easy to make and taste delicious!

Photo Credit: www.bbc.co.uk

German Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen are traditional German Christmas cookies. Whether you make traditional circles or cut into stars and hearts, friends and family will love these Christmas biscuits.

Photo Credit: www.marthastewart.com

Speculaas Cookies

Speculass cookies are thin, crunchy, and have a warming spiced flavor. These cookies are traditional in Belgium and Netherlands and have elaborate stamp patterns. You'll know the flavor from the popular Lotus cookies or cookie butter.

Photo Credit: www.bettycrocker.com

Russian Tea Cakes

Russian Tea Cakes have a shortbread dough that is studded with chopped nuts. The results are beautifully sandy and tender.

Photo Credit: www.delish.com

Italian Biscotti

These Italian twice-baked crispy cookies are studded with nuts and perfect for dipping into a coffee.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

These American classic cookies are so good! The classic chewy snickerdoodles have pumpkin to make them extra festive.

Italian Lemon Drop Cookies (Anginetti)

These Italian lemon drop cookies are super easy to make and taste incredible! Use festive colored sprinkles to make them perfect for the holidays.

Shortbread Cornstarch Cookies

These easy Cornstarch Cookies have a tender melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Another American classic, these chocolate chip cookies are topped with chocolate ganache and crushed candy canes!

Christmas Chocolate Tiffin (Refrigerator Cake)

Chocolate tiffin is an easy no-bake British treat! Crushed cookies, dried fruit, spices and chocolate combine in these tasty bites.

Photo Credit: www.thespruceeats.com

Spanish Polvorones

These crumbly almond cookies are a classic Spanish Christmas cookie recipe! Polvorones are a Spanish shortbread that's flavored with almonds and crumbly in texture.

Photo Credit: www.allrecipes.com

Dutch Stroopwafels

This classic Netherland cookie has crispy waffle cookies sandwiched with a rich caramel filling.

Photo Credit: charlotteslivelykitchen.com

Italian Amaretti Biscuits

These classic Italian amaretti cookies are super easy to make. They are crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle. Naturally gluten-free.

Photo Credit: www.thespruceeats.com

Polish Kolaczki

Polish Kolaczki cookies are made with a flaky cream cheese dough that's rolled with a fruity filling. A Polish classic cookie.

Photo Credit: www.pillsbury.com

Mexican Wedding Cakes

Similar to Russian Tea Cakes, Mexican Wedding Cakes are made with butter, flour, powdered sugar, and finely chopped nuts. They're rolled into balls and dusted with powdered sugar, so they look like snowballs.

Photo Credit: www.tasteofhome.com

Norwegian Krumkake

Krumkake is a delicate, Norwegian Christmas cookie that is made on a krumkake iron that leaves a pretty design that imprints onto the cookie.Try them on their own, or filled with whipped cream, as they are here.

Photo Credit: www.thespruceeats.com

Indian Kulkuls

Kulkuls are made all over Indian at Christmas, particularly around Goa. The cookies are made with coconut milk and they're rolled with a fork to create the classic pattern.

Photo Credit: www.kingarthurbaking.com

Swiss Basler Brunsli

Basler Brunsli is a classic Christmas cookie from Switzerland. They have a crisp texture and are made with chocolate and spices.

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Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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