The Ultimate Guide to Traditional German Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookies are as much a part of Advent as festive decorations in the home or the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Baking them becomes a little event, especially with friends or children. Sometimes, they are beautifully painted, sometimes left plain. But all cookies have one thing in common: they sweeten the Advent season and smell wonderful!

In addition to extraordinary pastries such as poppy seed meringue stars or matcha cookies, there are also the classics. They will probably be baked repeatedly, aiming to taste as delicious as they did at Grandma's or Mom's. Here are the eight most popular cookie recipes for Christmas.

1. Butter Cookies – The Quintessential Classic Recipe

For approximately 100 Butter Cookies, you’ll need:

500g flour
200g sugar
1 packet of vanilla sugar
350g butter
2 egg yolks
1 egg
Some grated lemon zest
A pinch of salt

Butter Cookies – The Perfect Recipe for Baking with Kids

First, place flour in a bowl and sprinkle sugar and vanilla sugar on top. Then, press a well in the center and add the butter around the edge in flakes. Pour egg yolks, the whole egg, lemon zest, and salt into the well. Quickly knead everything with a dough hook or hands to form a soft dough. Chill the dough in a covered bowl for at least one hour.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface (tip: sprinkle flour on the rolling pin). Cut out shapes, place cookies on a tray lined with baking paper, brush with egg yolk, and bake for ten to twelve minutes at 175 degrees Celsius.

Decorating – a Fun Activity for Kids: Unleash your creativity! From simple chocolate sprinkles to elaborately detailed decorations, there are no limits.

2. Vanillekipferl – The German-Austrian-Bohemian Crescent Cookie

For about 70 Vanillekipferl, you need:

280g flour
80g sugar
200g butter or margarine
100g ground hazelnuts

For the topping, you’ll also need 50g sugar or powdered sugar and 2 packets of vanilla sugar. Beware, fragile: Handle with care when baking Vanillekipferl!

Vanillekipferl (Vanilla Crescents) – The German-Austrian-Bohemian Delicacy

Originating from the Austrian Empire, these crescent-shaped cookies are made with ground nuts, usually almonds or hazelnuts, and flavoured with vanilla. They have a rich, nutty taste and a dusting of vanilla sugar that melts in your mouth. They are delicate, crumbly, and cherished for their distinctive shape and flavour.

3. Cinnamon Stars – A Swabian Christmas Delight

Baking Cinnamon Stars like Grandma:

For the Cinnamon Stars, you require:

190g powdered sugar
100g ground almonds
200g ground hazelnuts
2 egg whites
1 tsp cinnamon
A dash of lemon juice

Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars) – The Swabian Christmas Treat

Cinnamon stars are gluten-free cookies made primarily from ground nuts, cinnamon, and sugar, often bound with egg whites. These star-shaped cookies have a chewy texture and a strong cinnamon flavour, topped with a crisp meringue-like frosting. They are a Christmas market favourite.

4. Spitzbuben – Also Known as Linzer Augen (Linzer Eyes)

Baking Spitzbuben Cookies:

To make 50 Spitzbuben, you'll need:

450g flour
300g butter
170g powdered sugar
1 packet of vanilla sugar
3 egg yolks
Jam for filling

Spitzbuben (Linzer Cookies) – The Eye-Catching Treat

These are essentially sandwich cookies with a layer of jam between two buttery, shortbread-like layers. The top layer has a hole (the 'eye') through which the jam is visible. They are often dusted with powdered sugar, which adds to their visual appeal and sweetness.

5. Nutella Cookies – A Favorite Among Sweet Tooths

Quick and Delicious Recipe for Chocolate Lovers:

You will need:

190g Nutella
1 egg
160g flour
1 tsp baking powder
Powdered sugar for dusting

Nutella Cookies – A Modern Favorite

These are simple, quick-to-make cookies that use the beloved hazelnut cocoa spread as a primary ingredient. They often have a soft, brownie-like center and a crisp exterior. These cookies have gained popularity for their decadent chocolate hazelnut flavour and the ease with which they can be prepared.

6. Bethmännchen – A Variation of the Frankfurt Brenten

Traditional Marzipan Cookies with Almonds Recipe:

Necessary ingredients for 35 pieces:

100g whole almonds (skinned)
200g raw marzipan
1 egg
50g powdered sugar
100g finely ground almonds
2 tbsp flour
5 drops of bitter almond oil
1 tbsp milk
A small pinch of salt

Bethmännchen (A Variation of Frankfurt Brenten)

Bethmännchen are marzipan cookies from Frankfurt, traditionally decorated with three almond halves. They have a chewy texture and are aromatic due to the marzipan and bitter almond oil. They are a luxurious treat, often associated with the holiday season and a staple of Frankfurt’s Christmas traditions.

7. Chocolate Snowballs – The Ultimate Chocolate Cookie Recipe

For 100 Chocolate Snowballs, you need:

400g dark chocolate coating
200g butter
240g sugar
4 eggs
4 egg yolks
400g flour
4 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
Salt
4 tsp ground cinnamon
240g powdered sugar for rolling

Schokoladen-Schneebälle (Chocolate Snowballs)

These rich chocolate cookies are often made with cocoa powder and sometimes chunks of chocolate, giving them a deep flavor. Rolled into balls and coated with powdered sugar, they resemble snowballs, making them a perfect winter treat.

8. Gingerbread – The basic recipe for a gingerbread house or cookies:

250g sugar
80ml water
750g honey
1 large egg
60g egg yolk
30g cinnamon
20g vanilla sugar
8g ground cloves
8g ground cardamom
4g ground nutmeg
Zest of one lemon
600g rye flour
600g wheat flour
12g ammonium carbonate
5g potassium carbonate
100g milk

Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) – The Versatile Classic

Lebkuchen is a traditional German gingerbread, soft in texture and rich in spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. They can be found in various forms, from cookies to large, elaborately decorated hearts often sold at Christmas markets. They serve as both a treat and a decoration, and can be used to build gingerbread houses.

Each of these cookies brings a unique taste and a piece of German baking tradition to the holiday season. They range from the simplest butter cookies that allow family creativity and decoration to the more elaborate and delicately flavoured cookies like Vanillekipferl and rich and nutty delights like Bethmännchen. These cookies not only sweeten the Advent time but also are a delightful way to engage in the festive culinary culture of Germany.