38 Unique Christmas Cookies from Around the World
38 Unique Christmas Cookies from Around the World
Read Time: 12 mins
38 Unique Christmas Cookies from Around the World
I create them using a pizzelle iron
Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These lovely, golden brown anise pizzelle cookies have a crisp texture and delicate anise flavor. I create them using a pizzelle iron. —Barbara Colucci, Rockledge, Florida 4/38 Cyprus: Melomakarona 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 4-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Growing up in Cyprus, we would see this melomakarona cookie everywhere during the holidays. Every year my mother, Thelma, would make plate after plate of these all Christmas long. It’s just not the holidays without them. —Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California 5/38
They really help to make the holidays feel special
Austria: Linzer Cookies 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This specialty cookie takes a little extra effort, but the results are sweet! They really help to make the holidays feel special. —Jane Pearcy, Verona, Wisconsin 6/38 Russia: Tea Cakes 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile these fresh-baked tea cakes on pretty plates that I buy throughout
the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends
the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa 7/38 Norway: Whipped Cream Krumkake 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Whipped Cream Krumkake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings about 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our hometown has a rich Norwegian culture. That heritage is evident during our annual Nordic Fest, where this classic krumkake recipe is king. Here’s your introduction to the timeless treat. —Imelda Nesteby, Decorah, Iowa 8/38 France: Macarons 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15
They will be the showstoppers on any cookie tray
min Servings 30 macarons Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Even decorated simply—a sprinkle of sugar, a drizzle of icing—these stylish beauties are part of our creative Christmas cookies collection. They will be the showstoppers on any cookie tray. —Josh Rink, Photo Stylist Taste of Home 9/38 Scotland: Shortbread 81 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Scottish settlers first came to this area over 150 years ago. My mother herself was Scottish, and—as with most of my favorite recipes—she passed this shortbread
recipe on to me
recipe on to me. I make a triple batch of it each year at Christmas, to enjoy and as gifts. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba 10/38 Italy: Florentines 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Fruit N Nut Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Filled with fruit, nuts, chocolate and loads of flavor, these traditional Italian treats hit the spot. We enjoy them at Christmas with a hot beverage. 11/38 Sicily: Torcetti 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Torcetti Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time
45 min Servings 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
45 min Servings 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our Sicilian grandmother often had my sister and me roll out the dough for these tasty torcetti. Their melt-in-your-mouth goodness is delicious without being overly sweet.—Joy Quici, Upland, California 12/38 Gingerbread Men 58 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Gingerbread Men Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings about 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread men cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I’m happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland 13/38 The
Netherlands: Dutch Speculaas 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These Dutch spice cookies taste similar to the windmill cookies we enjoy in the United States. In Holland, it’s tradition to mold the dough into the shape of St. Nicholas and serve the baked cookies on Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Day). —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 14/38 Italy: Horn Cookies 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings about 5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family
has been making these delicate fruit-filled Christmas cookies for generations
has been making these delicate fruit-filled Christmas cookies for generations. Light and flaky, they have the look of elegant pastry. —Gloria Siddiqui, Houston, Texas 15/38 Ukraine: Khrustyky 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 1-1/2 dozen pastries Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This crispy, dainty pastry dusted with confectioners’ sugar has an eggy flavor similar to cream puffs. I honor my Ukrainian heritage by serving khrustyky on Christmas Eve as part of the traditional feast of 12 dishes. Each dish symbolizes one of the apostles. —Carol Funk, Richard, Saskatchewan 16/38 Eastern Europe:
There are many variations made of different dried fruits and nuts
Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot Cookies 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings about 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mandelbrot in Yiddish literally means “almond bread.” The twice-baked cookie made with oil and almonds dates back to 19th century Eastern Europe. There are many variations made of different dried fruits and nuts. My chocolate chip version is more modern-American. —Kimberly Scott, Kosciusko, Mississippi 17/38 Norway: Sandbakkelse 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Translated from Norwegian, the name of these
cookies is “’sand tarts.”
cookies is “’sand tarts.” They’re most attractive if baked in authentic sandbakkelse molds, which can be purchased online or in a Scandinavian import shop. Most any decorative cookie mold will do, though, and the interesting shapes will make these tarts the focus of your cookie tray. —Karen Hoylo, Duluth, Minnesota 18/38 Sweden: Almond Rusks Test Kitchen Approved Swedish Almond Rusks Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Not too sweet, these nutty, crunchy cookies go well with a cup of hot coffee…and travel well in care packages,
Most folks gobbled them up before they ever got home!
too! 19/38 Mexico: Mexican Wedding Cakes 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings about 6 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As part of a Mexican tradition, I tucked these tender cookies into small gift boxes for the guests at my sister’s wedding a few years ago. Most folks gobbled them up before they ever got home! —Sarita Johnston, San Antonio, Texas 20/38 Russia: Pryaniki 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The musical “Waitress” Total Time 25 min Servings 16 cookies Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These old-fashioned honey cookies have
a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture
a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York 21/38 Mexico: Reganadas 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 12 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My extended family shares a meal every Sunday. The aunts and uncles take turns bringing everything from main dishes to desserts like this traditional Mexican cinnamon cookie called reganadas. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 22/38 Hungary: Walnut Cookies 12 Reviews Test Kitchen
Now I make them for my own family
Approved Kolacky Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As a child, I always looked forward to eating these goodies at Christmastime. Now I make them for my own family. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 23/38 Germany: Glazed Pfeffernuesse 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings about 10 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our version of the classic German cookie is nice to have on hand throughout the holiday season. They stay fresh—and become more intense
in flavor—when stored in an airtight container for weeks
in flavor—when stored in an airtight container for weeks. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 24/38 Greece: Koulouakia 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The musical “Waitress” Total Time 40 min Servings 6-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Koulourakia are a traditional treat in Greece, where they are usually made for Easter and other celebrations. I enjoy making these buttery, golden Greek cookies to keep me in touch with my heritage. —Nicole Moskou, New York, New York 25/38 Finland: Pinwheels 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings about 7
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Ilona Barron, Ontonagon, Michigan 26/38 Bolivia: Supspiros 55 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The musical “Waitress” Total Time 1 hour Servings about 5 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Want to learn how to make meringues?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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