Traditional European Holiday Cookies

Christmas is the time for baking cookies. To give you an idea of the kind of sweet treats you can make that come from Europe, here are pictures and descriptions of traditional holiday cookies from different European countries.

Brunsli are holiday cookie treats from Switzerland. These are chocolate cookies that include ingredients like nuts, cocoa, dark chocolate, kirsch (cherry brandy), orange zest, vanilla, and spices. The cookies are prepared with a soft dough cut into festive shapes and baked to give a crispy outside and soft inside.

Joulutorttu are delectable Christmas cookies with prune jam traditional in Finland. (pictured above) The cookies are traditionally prepared in a pinwheel shape with a dollop of prune ham and dusted with powdered sugar.

Kerstkransies are Dutch Christmas cookies that are sweet and full of almonds. Traditionally they are cut into wreath shapes and made into an edible Christmas ornament hung by ribbons on the Christmas tree.

Krumkaker are holiday treats from Norway. These are wafer-style butter cookies made with a metal press to create designs. These cookies are traditionally shaped into cylinders. Once prepared, they can be filled with a crème filling.

Lebkuchen are gingerbread cookies from Germany. Traditionally monks made these cookies in the 13th century. There are many different versions of these treats, with the most famous version from Nuremberg. The ingredients include different nuts, citrus zest, honey, sugar, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and allspice. When done, they are covered with a glaze.

Linzer cookies are buttery, jam-filled holiday treats from Austria. The cookie dough is prepared, and then the almond-flavored cookies are cut out in Christmas shapes like stars and bells with the middle cut out and baked. A cookie is spread with jam, such as raspberry jam, and a second half is placed over it and the two halves of the cookies are glued together by the jam. Now you have decorative jam-filled Christmas cookies.

Mailanderlis are holiday cookies from Switzerland. They are prepared by combining lemon, butter, sugar, egg yolks, and flour. Then cut out in shapes, glazed with egg wash, and baked.

Melomakarona are traditional cookies from Greece. These cookies were inspired by Makaria, the Greek deity who promised a peaceful transition to death. The ancient post-funeral meals were referred to as makarai. Melomakaronas are part of the Greek Christmas tradition. These are egg-shaped cookies that are prepared with olive oil, honey, cognac, and orange zest. They are flavored with cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Once the cookies are baked, they’re dipped in honey syrup, and if preferred, they can next be dipped into melted chocolate for a double sweet treat. Then rolled in chopped or crushed toasted nuts and cinnamon sugar.

Pernik are holiday gingerbread cookies from the Czech Republic. The recipe dates back to the 15th century. When the dough is made, a dash of rum is added. Then the dough is rolled out to cut the cookies and decorate them.

Pignoli come from Italy. The cookies are made with almond paste, sugar, and egg whites, giving them a nutty flavor. The cookies are covered with pine nuts. They are chewy and delicious.

Pains d’amandes are cookies from France. These holiday cookies are better accompanied with mulled wine or brandy. They include spices like ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The cookie dough is pressed into a long, rectangular pan to give them their distinctive shape. Almonds can be pressed into the cookies.

Pfeffernüsse are traditional German spice cookies. They are spiced up with cinnamon, anise, cardamom, and cloves. These cookies can be made weeks ahead before Christmas. They look very festive with their white glaze.

Polvorones are holiday cookies from Spain. These are almond-based shortbread cookies. Traditionally they are made with lard and regular flour can be replaced by oat flour The prepared cookies are dusted with sugar, ground almonds, coconut flakes, or a drizzle of chocolate.

Ricciarelli are cookies from Tuscany in Italy. Traditionally they're made with an almond base. The cookies have a nutty flavor with sweetness added by honey and sugar. They are cut out in diamond shapes and powdered with sugar. Flavoring can be added with orange zest, lemon zest, or a dash of vanilla.