Jazz Up the Holidays With 17 International Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

01 of 17

Traditional Shortbread From Scotland

In Britain, there are many biscuits (a.k.a. cookies) baked every year and choosing a favorite isn't easy.Scotland has its delightful shortbread, nicknamed "shortie," which is eaten year-round throughout the British Isles. The buttery biscuit is at its best around the holidays, and Hogmanay (the Scottish New Year's Eve) is not complete without it.

02 of 17

British Stained Glass Cookies

There is a centuries-oldtradition of hanging cookies on theChristmas tree, and the especially beautiful stained glass cookies are perfect for this.They represent the colorful windows of churches and abbeys throughout the British Isles. If you think that sounds complicated, don't worry, you'll be surprised just how easy they are to make.

03 of 17

Czech Pernik na Figurky Cookies

The perfect cookie for vánoční cukroví(vah-NAWTCH-nee koo-KRAW-vee), or Christmas sweets, are thesetraditional CzechChristmas treats calledpernik na figurky (meaning "gingerbread on figures"). Lovelyto give as a gift or to just eat along with a cup of tea, these ginger-spiced cookies are an easy recipe thatchildrenlove to make.

04 of 17

Polish Kołaczki

A classic Eastern European cookie is the Polish kołaczki. The recipeusesa cream cheese dough,making the cookie flaky and sweet when baked. Thekołaczki can be different shapes includinground, square, or diamond, which further adds to the appeal of these delicious morsels.They vary in flavor depending on what filling was used, whether it be fruit, nuts, or sweet cheese.

05 of 17

Fritule From Croatia

These delightful fried treats may look familiar, as they are similar to New Orleans' beignets. These miniature doughnuts are studded with citrus zest and raisins and sometimes flavored with brandy or rum. The fritule was made famous by the Croatian Jurisich familymore than100 yearsago and has become a Christmas tradition ever since.

06 of 17

Traditional French Madeleines

The French have many cookies that they love to bake for Christmas, as they are renowned for their patisseries. Most famous of these baked treats is the madeleine, which isa lovely, petite cake, rather than a cookie. The sponge cake is scented with vanilla and a bit of orange zest. Bake them in a special madeleine pan, and then serve them after Christmas dinner alongside a cup of tea, coffee, or even a glass of sweet wine.

07 of 17

Danish Butter Cookies

These delicate ring-shaped butter cookies are a popular Danish holiday treat. Vanilla sugar, a common Dutch ingredient, contributes a subtle vanilla flavor, while the addition of almond flour provides a tender texture. The dough is piped into a wreath shape and baked until lightly golden.

08 of 17

France's Sablé Cookie

Sablémeans "sand" in French. The sablé cookie is well named because of its crumbly texture and buttery flavor. Thisrecipe creates a basic biscuit, but the beauty of the sablé is you can add many different fillings. For aChristmas theme, jazz up the dough with warming seasonal spices such as cinnamon, allspice, or nutmeg.

09 of 17

French Almond Macarons

Their names may be similar, but almond macaronsshould not be confused with amacaron—the two cookies are very different. The almond macarons aremore dense and cake-like, with a crisp outside and chewy center. They are a sweet treat for the holidays and make great gifts.

10 of 17

French Cinnamon Palmiers

Cinnamon palmiers, also charmingly referred to as elephant ears, are such a festive treat with their heart shape and light, flaky pastry. What makes them even more delightful is they are so quick and easy to make. Simply roll out premade puff pastry dough, spread with a homemade cinnamon sugar paste, roll both sides toward the middle, and slice and bake. If you're in a rush, this is the perfect cookie for you.

11 of 17

Italian Pizzelle

They look like little lace doilies, so Italian pizzelle cookies are sure to amaze everyone during the holidays. They're made with a special waffle iron, and the batter for this recipe is flavored with anise. You can flavor them with vanilla, almond, citrus zest, or chocolate if you prefer. They're also fun little serving bowls or cannoli to hold custard, fruit, and other yummy fillings when shaped while still warm.

12 of 17

Italian Biscotti

TheItalians have many cookies on their Christmas menus, but the most famous are crisp, crunchybiscotti, which can be made in a variety of flavors. Add in dark chocolate or nuts, or make with fruit or not. No matter what, these finger-length dessert treats are heavenly. They are even better when dipped into a glass of sweet vino santo (holy wine).

13 of 17

Italy's Amaretti

Amarettiare slightly chewy, almond-flavored cookies known throughout the world. They're so good served alongside an espresso or a hot chocolate, makingthem a great after-dinner treat. Because they don't contain flour, these cookies are also gluten free.

14 of 17

Italian Struffoli

No self-respecting list of Italian cookies forChristmas could ever be complete without the lovely fried honey balls known asstruffoli. It's believed that the recipe for these tasty morsels may have originated in ancient Greece but was adopted as a favorite dessert of Southern Italy. The balls can be shaped into a wreath, piled into a ball, or covered in sprinkles and eaten as is.

15 of 17

Norway's Krumkake Cookies

The Scandinavians sure know how to celebrate Christmas. Their bountiful celebrations contain fabulous foods, meats, fruits, and lovely Christmas cookies like krumkake and Scandinavian rosettes.

Norwegian krumkake cookies could be considered among the prettiest of all cookies. They are cooked on acircular cookie iron, then rolled into a cigar or cone shape. Krumkake cookies have a texturemore like a cracker or waffle than a cookie and are delicate, lacy, and sweet.

16 of 17

South American Alfajores

In South America,traditional alfajoresare a must during the holidays. Each region of South America has its own versionof these caramelsandwich cookies, but the basic idea is that a layer of dulce de leche is spread between two of the butter-sugar cookies to create an irresistible sandwich cookie. The alfajores are flavored with a typical South American brandy called pisco, but you can use any brandy.

17 of 17

Puerto Rican Besitos de Coco (Coconut Kisses)

The traditional and most popular Puerto Rican cookie is the delightful, coconutbesitos de coco or coconut kisses. They are easy to make and can be dressed up with crushed nuts and chocolate drizzle. Although similar to a macaroon, besitos de coco include flour in the batter, giving the cookies a more cake-like consistency.