24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (2024)

Christmas is the time of year when it’s traditional to indulge in lots of delicious sweets. If you’re looking for some yummy German cookie recipes for Christmas, you’ve come to the right place! These recipes are sure to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. So get ready to bake up a storm and enjoy some scrumptious cookies!

If you love baking cookies like me, you can check out our Best Christmas Cookie Recipes and that you can make at home.

Here are the recipes:

Spritzgebäck (German Spritz Cookies)

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (1)

Source: Red Currant Bakery

Spritzgebåck cookies, also known as German Spritz Cookies, are the preeminent Christmas cookie! They are balanced perfectly between sweet and buttery while maintaining a crispy texture. These cookies dissolve quickly once they enter your mouth; no chewiness here! My favorite thing about spritzgebäcks is how delicate they are.

Dominosteine (Domino Squares)

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (2)

Source: Bake To The Roots

Dominosteine (otherwise known as Domino Cubes) is one food that makes you realize Christmas time has arrived the moment you see them in stores. This recipe takes some time – the base for the Dominosteine needs to cool overnight and the coating/drying process requires some additional patience.

German Nussecken

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (3)

Source: Plated Cravings

Nussecken, or Nut Corners, are a German tradition that belongs on your cookie platter! These mini nut bars are made with buttery shortbread, a sweet apricot jam layer, and a caramelized hazelnut topping.

Amish Sugar Cookies

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (4)

Source: The Gold Lining Girl

Looking for an easy sugar cookie recipe that uses common pantry ingredients? Try these Amish Sugar Cookies – they’re soft, puffy, and melt in your mouth! These cookies are similar to cut-out cookies but much less work. Top them with your favorite icing or glaze for a special treat!

Engelsaugen (Angel’s Eyes)

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (5)

Source: Where Is My Spoon

Try your hand at this classic thumbprint cookie recipe – it’s easy and only takes five ingredients. You can have these delicious cookies ready in less than half an hour! They’re called engelsaugen, which means “angel’s eyes,” because of their characteristic shape.

Spitzbuben

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (6)

Source: Days Of Jay

Traditional German Christmas cookies don’t get more delicious than Spitzbuben. This short pastry is buttery and tangy, with a classic combination of redcurrant jelly.

German Chocolate Macaroons

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (7)

Source: Barefeet in the Kitchen

If you’re a fan of German Chocolate Cake, then you will go crazy for these German Chocolate Macaroons. They are incredibly delicious, with layers of chocolate cake, rich caramel, coconut, and pecan frosting.

Choco Crossies

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (8)

Source: Where Is My Spoon

Choco crossies, or chocolate cornflake cakes, are definitely quick and easy to make. These delectable cookies only require a few ingredients and less than half an hour of your time before you can munch on them.

Mandelhörnchen

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (9)

Source: Sainsbury’s Magazine

With their rich coffee flavor and chocolate dipping, these chewy marzipan biscuits are perfect for any coffee lover. They are called mandelhörnchen, which means “almond horns,” because of their shape.

German Walnut Shortbread Cookies

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (10)

Source: Dinner Then Dessert

German Walnut Shortbread Cookies are essential Christmas cookies that are made in a traditional shortbread style with coarsely chopped chunks of walnuts. Shortbread cookies are the pie crust of cookies because they are an easy recipe with no leaving ingredients that come together in just a few minutes.

Pfeffernusse Cookies

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (11)

Source: Baker Bettie

If you’re looking for a delicious and unique cookie to make this holiday season, try your hand at making Pfeffernusse Cookies! These traditional German cookies are often made in Mennonite communities in the US, and they’re absolutely addictive. They’re tiny, crunchy snacks filled with warming spices that are perfect for gifting (or eating yourself!).

Linzer Cookies

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (12)

Source: Gimme Some Oven

The Linzer cookie is a popular Austrian dessert that dates back hundreds of years. These cookies traditionally consist of two buttery shortbread cookies made with almond flour, filled with a raspberry jam filling.

Buttery Classic Spritz Cookies

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (13)

Source: Life, Love, and Sugar

Spritz cookies get their name from the German word “spritzen”, meaning “to squirt”. This refers to how the cookie dough is pressed through a cookie press to create the shape. These cookies have a texture and flavor that falls somewhere between sugar cookies and shortbread Cookies.

Kipplens

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (14)

Source: Taste Of Home

Kipplens are a German cookie that is popular in the Midwest. They are bite-sized, buttery shortbread cookies that are rolled in powdered sugar. These cookies are perfect for any occasion, and they’re sure to be a hit with your family and friends at Christmas parties.

Haselnussmakronen

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (15)

Source: The Toasty Kitchen

These German Hazelnut Macaroons are the perfect mix of chewy and sweet. They only require egg whites, ground hazelnuts, cinnamon, and sugar to make them – all ingredients that lend themselves well to being naturally gluten-free and dairy free. A traditional Christmas cookie in Germany, they’ll be a perfect addition to your cookie tray at holiday get-togethers.

Authentic Bethmännchen

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (16)

Source: The Daring Gourmet

Bethmännchen are German Christmas cookies that have been a favorite for almost 200 years. These almond-studded marzipan cookies have a firm exterior and delightfully chewy interior, and they will win your heart – or at least your palate. No German Christmas is complete without them!

Heidesand

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (17)

Source: The Daring Gourmet

Heidesand translates to “heath sand”, and it is a delicious shortbread cookie made with browned butter. This age-old German treat is mostly eaten during the holiday season, specifically Christmas.

Spekulatius

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (18)

Source: Cheerful Cook

Spekulatius cookies are a delightful blend of traditional German spices and rich buttery goodness.

These cookies are quite popular in Germany and can be found in many homes as they are a common treat given around ‘St. Nikolaus Tag’ (December 6th). These festive cookies are perfect for any winter holiday gathering, as the cookies get their subtle spiciness from cardamom, cloves, and other warm spices.

Authentic German Springerle

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (19)

Source: The Daring Gourmet

German Springerle cookies are anise-flavored and have been around for at least 700 years. These delightful, crispy-yet-chewy snacks are so easy to make with only a handful of ingredients! All you need to do is follow a few key steps for the perfect texture, appearance, and flavor.

Springerle Shortbread

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (20)

Source: King Arthur Baking

If you find other springerle cookie recipes to be as challenging to roll out as lifting your own body weight, this recipe is for you! If you want a more traditionally flavored springerle, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon anise oil.

Authentic Zimtsterne

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (21)

Source: The Daring Gourmet

The holidays would not be complete without these delicious and traditional German Christmas cookies, Zimtsterne! So get ready to bake some up and fill your home with the wonderful smell of Christmas! There’s nothing better than starting off the baking season with this tried-and-true recipe for Zimtsterne.

German Hazelnut Cookies

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (22)

Source: International Desserts Blog

The distinct hazelnut taste in these cookies is reminiscent of German Butter Cookies and Vanillakipferl/Austrian Vanilla Crescents. The toasted chopped hazelnuts on top create a more intense flavor that pairs excellently with the untoasted nuts within the cookie itself.

Vanillekipferl

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (23)

Source: Caroline’s Cooking

The vanilla taste in these German cookies is what sets them apart from other seasonal cookies. The crescent-shaped Vanillekipferl are dusted with sugar while they’re still hot so that the flavor sticks to the cookie.

Lebkuchen

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (24)

Source: BBC

Whether you make traditional circles or cut them into stars and hearts, your friends and family will love these German Christmas cookies. You can decorate them in so many ways too- the options are endless!

Related Posts:

  • Delicious Vegan Christmas Desserts
  • Best Christmas Dessert Ideas
  • Delicious Christmas Keto Dessert Ideas

SOME COOKIE-BAKING ITEMS THAT YOU CAN BUY:

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (25)

OXO Good Grips Silicone Cookie Spatula, Gray, 3 inches

  • Spatula is the ideal size for lifting cookies from cookie sheet
  • Made of silicone bonded to flexible stainless steel
  • Rounded corners for scraping sticky dough out of spoons

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (26)

16,132 Reviews

Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier Cooling Rack for Cookies, Cake and More - Cool Batches of Cookies, Cake Layers or Finger Foods, Black

  • Versatile And Durable: The 3-tier cooling rack is a must-have for any baking enthusiast. Its sturdy steel construction ensures durability, while its versatile design allows for effortless cooling of...
  • Easy-To-Clean Nonstick Surface: The nonstick coating on this baking rack makes cleanup easy. Simply wipe away crumbs and residue, and it's ready for your next baking adventure.
  • Optimal Air Circulation: Experience superior baking results with our cookie cooling racks. Its grid pattern promotes proper air circulation for even cooling and prevents sogginess.

Sale

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (27)

Nordic Ware 3 Piece Baker's Delight Set, 1 Pack, Natural

  • Top-rated NaturalsBakeware collection is made of pure aluminum for superior heat conductivity and produces consistent evenly browned baked goods every time.
  • These premium pans have a lifetime durability and will never rust.
  • Encapsulated galvanized steel rims prevent warping.

📌FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!

📌PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER!

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (28)

24 Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular cookie in Germany? ›

Lebkuchen. This traditional German cookie is one of the most popular around Christmastime because it has those classic gingerbread flavors. The soft, chewy, and lightly glazed treats are a must-have for your cookie plate. Get the Lebkuchen recipe at A Beautiful Plate.

What is the famous biscuit in Germany? ›

The Leibniz-Keks or Choco Leibniz is a German brand of biscuit or cookie produced by the Bahlsen food company since 1891. It was created by the firm as a rival to a similar French biscuit, the Petit-Beurre.

What does lebkuchen mean in German? ›

Lebkuchen (pronounced leyb-koo-kuh n) is a centuries-old German spiced treat traditionally baked during the winter holiday season. While lebkuchen is often translated to English as gingerbread, it's not exactly what most Americans envision when they think of gingerbread.

What is the number one dessert in Germany? ›

The Apfelstrudel is the most popular pastry in Germany. Germans often top Apfelstrudel with vanilla cream and whipped cream. What is Germany's most famous dessert? Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte is Germany's most famous dessert.

What is a heart cookie in Germany? ›

However, there's another special treat you will see being sold in the Bavarian Markets during the festival: Lebkuchenherzen. Lebkuchen refers to German gingerbread, while herzen means heart! These hearts are adorned with names or sweet sayings similar to Valentine's cookies, and given to loved ones.

What is the most Googled Christmas cookie? ›

Italian Christmas Cookies grow as top cookie

Zoom in: Italian Christmas Cookies were the top cookie in 13 states, more than double the six states from 2022, Google Trends curator Katie Seaton told Axios. Seaton said the Italian cookies dominated the East Coast both this year and last year.

What is the number one holiday cookie? ›

Peanut Butter Blossoms are America's favorite Christmas cookie, based both on total number of pageviews from the U.S. population as a whole, and number of states that ranked it as their top cookie (which is six, by the way).

What is the 1 cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

Which word is a common German cookie? ›

Lebkuchen is a traditional German cookie that is usually baked for Christmas.

What is cookie called in German? ›

Originally Answered: What are Keks and what are Plätzchen in German? Keks = Cookie.

What is a famous German bakery item? ›

German desserts
NameDescription
FranzbrötchenA small, sweet pastry, baked with butter and cinnamon.
FriesentorteLayer cake made with whipped cream, puff pastry and plum jam. A specialty of North Frisia and East Frisia.
GugelhupfA marble cake or Bundt cake.
58 more rows

What does Pfeffernusse mean in German? ›

The name literally means 'peppernuts', and does not mean it contains nuts. The cookies are roughly the size of nuts and can be eaten by the handful, which may account for the name. They are named for the pinch of pepper added to the dough before baking.

What is the difference between Pfeffernusse and lebkuchen? ›

Pfeffernusse and lebkuchen are both similarly flavored with honey and lots of warm baking spices but pfeffernusse are almost always small, rounded cookies coated with a powdered sugar glaze, while lebkuchen may be shaped like regular cookies or cut in bars and are generally glazed with chocolate.

What is German gingerbread called? ›

Lebkuchen - pronounced LAYB-kue-chn - and sometimes called Pfefferkuchen is a German baked Christmas treat somewhat resembling gingerbread. Soft, moist and nutty German gingerbread was invented by medieval monks in Franconia, Germany in the 13th century.

What kind of cookies do they eat in Germany? ›

Cookies
  • Berlin Bread * Berliner Brot. By Barbara / December 4, 2023. ...
  • Linzer Cookies. By Barbara / February 28, 2023. ...
  • Domino Stones – Dominosteine – Chocolate Dominos. ...
  • Slab Cookies – German Style. ...
  • Peppernuts – Pfeffernüsse. ...
  • German Candy “Nippon” ...
  • Russian Bread (cookies) – German Alphabet Cookies. ...
  • Mutzenmandeln – Carnival Donuts.

What do Germans call cookies? ›

Kekse are biscuits/cookies in general while Plätzchen are a Christmas speciality, although the terms are somewhat interchangeable.

What is Europe's favorite cookie? ›

Europe's Favorite Cookie with CoffeeSince 1932, Biscoff® cookies have been Europe's coffee break favorite. Delectably crunchy, with a simple, yet refined flavor, Biscoff cookies are perfect for taking the timeout that you deserve.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 6114

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.