Welcome to The Storied Recipe Podcast, a podcast about food, culture, and love.
I've curated this list of 27 Christmas Cookies Exchange Around the World in conjunction with Christmas Traditions Around the World podcast series while you bake the perfect Christmas cookies this holiday season.
Cookie exchanges are some of the best holiday activities to participate in! It is a fun way for you and your family to try different cookie recipes without have to buy ingredients for and bake 15 different batches of cookies. This recipe round-up was inspired by my search for unique global cookie recipes—treats that different cultures enjoy during the holiday season—to help you discover new favorites for your next cookie exchange. I hope you enjoy!
How To Use This List
- Below you’ll find 27 Christmas cookie recipes from around the world, gathered from a variety of recipe blogs.
- Even though the recipes are grouped by region, many are found in other countries under different names or variations. These examples simply highlight a few cookies from each region, not every type that exists.
- There is no way for me to have showcased even a small portion of global Christmas cookie recipes, so if you have any suggestions or recommendations, please let me know and I will add them to this list!
- Each recipe is formatted as the title of the recipe, followed by a "|" symbol and then the blog or person who it is from.
- I've split this list into the following categories: Some TRS Favorites, Mexico and South America, Western and Central Europe, Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
Some of The Storied Recipe Favorites
You can’t go wrong with classic sugar cookies, but finding the perfect recipe isn’t easy! The first recipe below comes from a professional baker who’s perfected it over 50 years. You’ll also find a vegan sugar cookie recipe for plant-based guests and a gluten-free Macaroons option for those with gluten intolerances.
The Best No Chill & No Spread Cut Out Sugar Cookies | The Storied Recipe
Delicious, easy no spread sugar cookies keep their shape every time. Perfect to decorate with sanding sugar, sprinkles, or chocolate for any holiday!
Best Vegan Frosted Cookies (Vegan Christmas Cookies) | The Storied Recipe
Soft, thick vegan sugar cookies generously frosted with vegan buttercream frosting. The classic Vegan Christmas cookies for every gathering and holiday baking projects!
Chocolate Almond Macaroons (Almond Joy Macaroons) | The Storied Recipe
Chewy Coconut Almond Macaroons are gluten-free. Hide almonds inside, then dip or drizzle with chocolate for an elegant finish. Easy to make Kosher for Passover.
Mexico and South America
Though many Mexican and South American Christmas desserts showcased in the list below typically include cakes, breads, and candies, there are some classic cookies that should definitely be added to your cookie exchange party.
Recipe for Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies) | The Other Side Of The Tortilla
These easy cookies were made popular in Mexico by convent bakers
Alfajores Recipe (Peruvian Cookies) | A Cozy Kitchen
These Alfajores (Peruvian-Style) have silky smooth manjar blanco (dulce de leche) sandwiched in between two short bread cookies.
Sequilhos (Cornstarch Cookies) | Olivia's Cuisine
Sequilhos, or Brazilian Cornstarch Cookies, are the easiest cookies you will ever make! Only 4 ingredients and no special equipment needed.
Polvorosas (Colombian Butter and Sugar Cookies) | My Columbian Recipes
Polvorosas are Colombian sugar and butter cookies easy to make and delicious. This recipe only requires 5 ingredients.
Argentinean Quince Thumbprint Cookies | En Casa Cooking Space
These Quince Thumbprint Cookies (pepas de membrillo) are a total Argentinean classic. Rustic, soft, chewy and a heart of quince. Absolutely yum.
Western and Central Europe
Many of the classic cookies we in America associate with Christmas, such as Gingerbreads, spritz, and spiced cookies are actually from Europe! These traditional treats have been passed down for generations, filling homes with the warm aromas of butter, nuts, and festive spices each holiday season.
Traditional Belgian Speculoos Cookies | Daring Gourmet
Whether you know them as speculoos cookies, speculaas, spekulatius or Biscoff, these buttery, crunchy, gingerbread cookies are delicious!
Easy Pepernoten Recipe - Mini Dutch Spice Cookies | A Happy Home In Holland
This is a recipe for traditional Dutch Pepernoten (mini spiced cookies) which are traditionally eaten in the Netherlands by the bucket load during Nov & Dec
French Chocolate-Dipped Almond Florentines | Del's Cooking Twist
Thin, delicate and crispy, these chocolate-dipped almond florentines are the perfect tiny cookies for any special occasion.
Easy Peanut Raisin Cookies: Polish Mazurka | The Storied Recipe
A super easy recipe for peanut raisin cookies!! Polish Mazurka have a soft marshmallowy middle full of peanuts and raisins and a slightly crispy top.
Linzer Cookies – Czech Linecké Cukroví | Cook Like Czechs
Do you know which Christmas cookie is the favorite in the Czech Republic? The answer is Linzer cookies, or as Czechs we call them, Linecké cukroví!
Lebkuchen Cookies (German Spice Cookies) | Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons
This delicious German spice holiday cookie recipe helps you make your own Lebkuchen at home from scratch! Great Christmas dessert recipe!
German Spritz Cookies (Spritzgebäck) | Dirndl Kitchen
Making these German Spritz Cookies brings up the fondest memories of making Spritzgebäck with my Oma Sieghilde!
Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) | Also The Crumbs Please
Learn how to bake original Linzer Cookies like I learned from my mother in Austria! These jam-filled sandwich cookies are soft and buttery.
Scandinavia
Winter in Scandinavia is truly magical, so it is no wonder their buttery, crispy, spiced Christmas cookies capture the same cozy holiday feeling that everyone loves.
Norwegian Rosettes Norwegian Rosettes Recipe | Cheap Recipe Blog
Learn how to make this traditional Norwegian rosette recipe at home. This is a Christmas delicacy made on a rosette iron.
Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies) | The Redhead Baker
Pepparkakor are Swedish ginger cookies traditionally served at Christmas time. They are less sweet and have a slightly more complex flavor.
Finnish Joulutorttu/Joulutorttu Recipe | Eat the Love
These fun and festive holiday cookies are inspired and adapted from Finnish Joulutorttu, a puff pastry mini-tart made with jam in the middle.
Recipe for Danish Peppernuts (Pebernodder) | Nordic Food Living
Traditional recipe for Danish Peppernuts (Pebernodder). This is a very Danish, popular and addictive Christmas cookie typically served as a snack for coffee
Mediterranean
Mild winters don't deter this region from excelling at Christmas cookie baking! In this list you will not only tasty cookies, but also beautifully designed cookies that is sure to wow all of your guests.
Anginetti: Italian Knot Cookies with Lemon or Sprinkles | The Storied Recipe
Authentic Anginetti recipe. These Italian Knot cookies are super soft and topped with a simple glaze, then sprinkles or a delicious lemon zest. Fun, festive, and super kid friendly!
Koulourakia: Traditional Greek Orange & Butter Cookies | The Storied Recipe
Traditional Greek Koulourakia is a buttery orange cookie with a perfect bite, a crumbly soft inside, and a zesty bright flavor.
Portuguese Biscoitos Recipe (Traditional Biscuit Cookie) | Sizzling Eats
This recipe is for the Azorean Biscoitos ring-shaped biscuits that are the perfect balance of crunchy and sweet with a hint of lemon.
Kourabiedes Recipe (Greek Butter Cookies) | Baked Ambrosia
Kourabiedes are delicious, melt-in-your-mouth butter almond cookies and a staple in Greek households during Christmas time.
Classic Italian Pizzelle | My Sequined Life
This is a classic recipe for buttery crisp Italian pizzelle. Basic ingredients and a press are all you need for these anise pizzelle cookies.
Middle East
Though most Middle Eastern countries are predominantly Muslim and do not celebrate Christmas, the Christian communities in these regions—like my podcast guest Mai Kakish from Palestine—have their own beautiful Christmas traditions and cookies, some of which are featured below.
Ghraybeh Cookies: Middle Eastern Shortbread-Butter Cookie | The Storied Recipe
My extraordinary friend Mai of the blog Almond and Fig shared the recipe for these soft Middle Eastern cookies with me for the Christmas in Palestine episode.
Egyptian/American Pecan Pie Shortbread Crust Bars | The Storied Recipe
A tastier, healthier alternative to Pecan Pie, this Pecan Date bar recipe pulls from Middle Eastern, Parisian, and American influences.
More Global Christmas Desserts Recipes
Recipe
International Cookie Exchange: 27 Christmas Cookie Recipes Around the World
Description
From Guests and Friends of The Storied Recipe. Bake your way around the world this holiday season with 27 international Christmas cookies—ideal for cookie exchanges or holiday parties.
Ingredients
Choose a few recipes to try for your next cookie exchange, and make sure to listen to my Christmas Traditions Around the World podcast series while you are baking!
Instructions
Some TSR Favorites
- No-Chill, No-Spread Sugar Cookies from Seth Greenberg, guest of The Storied Recipe
- Vegan Christmas Cookies from Carol Clayton, guest of The Storied Recipe
- Chocolate Almond Macaroons (Almond Joy Macaroons) from Marissa Wojcik, guest of The Storied Recipe
Mexico and South America
- Mexican Polvorones from The Other Side Of The Tortilla
- Alfajores (Peruvian Style) from A Cozy Kitchen
- Brazilian Sequilhos (Cornstarch Cookies) from Olivia's Cuisine
- Polvorosas (Colombian Butter and Sugar Cookies) from My Columbian Recipes
- Argentinian Quince Thumbprint Cookies (pepas de membrillo) from En Casa Cooking Space
Western and Central Europe
- Belgium Speculoos Cookies from Daring Gourmet
- Pepernoten Recipe – Mini Dutch Spice Cookies from A Happy Home In Holland
- French Chocolate-Dipped Almond Florentines from Del's Cooking Twist
- Mazurka Polish Raisin Cookies from Marina Lukyanchuk, guest of The Storied Recipe
- Linzer Cookies – Czech Linecké Cukroví from Cook Like Czechs
- Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies) from Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons
- German Spritz Cookies (Spritzgebäck) from Dirndl Kitchen
- Linzer Cookies (Original Austrian Family Recipe) from Also The Crumbs Please
Scandinavia
- Norwegian Rosettes from Cheap Recipe Blog
- Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Cookies) from The Redhead Baker
- Finnish Christmas Cookies, Joulutorttu from Eat The Love
- Danish Peppernuts (Pebernodder) from Nordic Food Living
Mediterranean
- Anginetti Italian Knot Cookies from Tina Zaccardi, guest of The Storied Recipe
- Koulourakia: Traditional Greek Orange & Butter Cookies from Regina Frances, guest of The Storied Recipe
- Portuguese Biscoitos Recipe from Sizzling Eats
- Kourabiedes Recipe (Greek Butter Cookies) from Baked Ambrosia
- Italian Pizzelle from My Sequined Life
Middle East
- Ghraybeh Cookies: Middle Eastern Shortbread-Butter Cookie from Mai Kakish, guest of The Storied Recipe
- Egyptian/American Pecan Pie Shortbread Crust Bars Without Corn Syrup from Nermine Mansour, guest of The Storied Recipe
Would love to hear from you!