Christmas cookies from around the world highlight the unique flavors and traditions that make holiday baking so special. From spiced European favorites to chewy, sweet treats enjoyed across continents, these festive cookies bring global holiday spirit right to your kitchen.
Whether you're baking for family gatherings, cookie swaps, or Christmas cookie trays, this guide to international Christmas cookies will inspire your holiday baking with new ideas and classic recipes.
Pistachio Biscotti
These chocolate-dipped Italian pistachio biscotti are both easy to make and an elegant treat. If you like pistachios, you're going to find it hard to stop eating them.
Get the Recipe: Pistachio Biscotti
Lebkuchen
This easy Lebkuchen recipe makes traditional German Christmas cookies. Soft and cake-like, they're filled with warm spices and molasses, then topped with a bright lemon glaze.
Get the Recipe: Lebkuchen
Turkish Apple Cookies
Elmali Kurabiye or Turkish Apple Cookies are delicious pastries that are filled with apples, cinnamon, and walnuts.
Get the Recipe: Turkish Apple Cookies
Linzer Cookies
These classic Austrian Linzer Cookies recipe are perfect for the Christmas season. It offers a nutty-flavored cookie with a sweet raspberry filling and a dusting of powdered sugar, making them the perfect Christmas cookies.
Get the Recipe: Linzer Cookies
Scottish Shortbread Cookies
Easy Scottish shortbread cookies are a great holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Scottish Shortbread Cookies
Traditional Kifle
Kifle are traditional crescent-shaped pastries from Serbia and eastern Europe, filled with apricot, raspberry, nuts, or cheese. This cherished recipe has been passed down through generations.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Kifle
Cuernitos de Nuez (Butter Pecan Cookies)
Spread holiday cheer with these mouthwatering Butter Pecan Cookies! Your loved ones will be indulging in happiness when they receive these homemade treats as a sweet surprise!
Get the Recipe: Cuernitos de Nuez (Butter Pecan Cookies)
Mexican Wedding Cookies (Russian Tea Takes)
Snowball Christmas Cookies also are known as Mexican Wedding Cookies or Russian Tea Cakes are a buttery cookie filled with pecans or other nuts and rolled in powdered sugar.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Snowball Cookies
Pecan Crescent Cookies
Pecan Crescent Cookies also known as Viennese crescents are a popular holiday treat and perfect to add to holiday cookie trays.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crescent Cookies
Pignoli Cookies
Pignoli cookies are a classic Italian dessert with a rich almond flavor. Before baking, you roll the dough in pine nuts, giving the cookies a chewy inside and slightly crunch outside.
Get the Recipe: Pignoli Cookies
German Terrassen Kekse Christmas Cookies
Delicious shortbread German Terrassen cookies for Christmas, filled with raspberry jam!
Get the Recipe: German Terrassen Kekse Christmas Cookies
Italian Rainbow Cookies
Italian Rainbow Cookies are actually small cakes made up of three thin layers of light almond cake, jam, and a chocolate coating.
Get the Recipe: Italian Rainbow Cookies
German Christmas Stollen Cookies
A mini version of traditional German stollen, featuring the classic dried fruit and citrus flavors. An ideal holiday gift.
Get the Recipe: German Christmas Stollen Cookies
Zimtsterne (German Cinnamon Stars)
Zimtsterne means cinnamon stars in German, and these cookies are a firm favorite in any Germany household! Naturally gluten free, you won't need any wheat flour to bake these.
Get the Recipe: Zimsterne (German Cinnamon Stars)
Kourabiedes (Greek Almond and Butter cookies)
Kourabiedes are traditional Greek almond and butter cookies, especially popular during the Christmas season. These crumbly delights are generously dusted with powdered sugar, giving them a festive, snowball-like appearance.
Get the Recipe: Kourabiedes (Greek Almond and Butter Cookies)
Pepperkaker (Norwegian Gingerbread Cookies)
Spicy and subtly sweet, these traditional Norwegian gingerbread cookies known as pepperkaker are sure to bring joy to your kitchen this holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Pepperkaker
Peanut Butter Blossoms
In addition to all of these delicious Christmas Cookies from Around the World, these Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are America's favorite Christmas treat! These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are topped with a classic Hershey's Kiss pressed into the center. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they're a holiday favorite for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Blossoms
Find more Christmas Cookie recipes by checking out the original post for Easy Soft Christmas Cookie Recipes!
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Dana is an experienced recipe creator who crafts easy and delicious recipes for all levels of home cooks.
Her recipes range from classic comfort foods to healthy and nutritious meals, and she is always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to bring flavor and variety to the table.
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