An ancient 'superfood' sent from heaven
Made in the shape of a star or a pinwheel, joulutorttu are filled with prune jam and often dusted with icing sugar.
If there's anything better than traditional biscotti, then it's probably biscotti dipped in chocolate. Yum!
These chewy coconut and oat cookies became popular during WWI, when soldiers were sent them all the way in Gallipoli, Turkey. The name is an acronym for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
These Polish "angel wing" cookies are made of fried dough ribbons, and dusted with delicate powdered sugar.
Highly popular in Belgium as well, speculaas is a type of spiced shortcrust biscuit. In the Netherlands, it's tradition to have them on Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas Day.
Popular in Croatia and neighboring Balkan countries, these miniature donuts are studded with citrus zest and raisins. Sometimes they're even flavored with brandy or rum.
This Neapolitan treat is a mix of sweet deep-fried balls with honey, cinnamon, and Italian colored sprinkles called diavulilli.
Usually filled with poppy seeds, nuts, jam or a mashed fruit mixture, kolaczky is a delicious little treat everyone will love.
Kourabiedes are traditional Greek Christmas cookies. Packed with roasted almonds and butter, they also carry a fresh aroma of rosewater.
Mainly made from flour, olive oil, and honey, melomakarona is both a Greek and Cypriot sweet prepared primarily during Christmas. It's simply not a holiday without them!
Pepparkakor, or simply gingerbread cookies, is a must when it comes to Swedish Christmas. Thin, crisp, and spicy, they're often enjoyed with mulled wine.
Probably among the prettiest of all cookies, krumkake are cooked on a circular cookie iron, then rolled into a cigar or cone shape.
Also known as Mexican wedding cakes, polvorones are made with lots of butter, flour, powdered sugar, and finely chopped nuts.
A popular holiday treat, pfeffernüsse are small spiced cookies that originated in 1753 from a confectioner in Offenbach am Main.
Popular in Southern Italy and Sicily, these cookies are made from a delicious almond-flavored dough and covered in pine nuts.
A Sicilian treat, these delicious butter cookies will delight your mouth without being overly sweet.
Sources: (Taste of Home) (The Spruce Eats)
See also: Stocking stuffer ideas for Christmas
Translated into "bears paw," medvjeđe šape are made with walnuts, honey, and a hint of rosemary.
The most popular Christmas cookie in the Czech Republic is the linecké cukroví, or linzer cookies. Originally from Austria, the delicate shortbread pastry is filled with red currant jam.
Traditionally made during Christmastime, rosettbakkels, or simply rosette, are crispy and typified by their lacy pattern.
Famously known as Danish butter cookies, vaniljekranse are a popular holiday treat in Denmark. The dough is piped into a wreath shape and baked until lightly golden.
During December, homes and bakeries in Switzerland are filled with the aroma of traditional zimtsterne. Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, fennel seed, and star anise are all key ingredients that make these so special.
A signature cookie in Serbia and neighboring countries, vanilice have a nutty sweetness and a soft jam filling.
Traditionally served on Christmas Eve, kūčiuka is a Lithuanian pastry made with poppy seeds. It's usually eaten dry, but can be served soaked in poppy milk or with cranberry jelly.
Originally from Austria, the crescent-shaped vanillekipferl are also widely baked in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. They're usually made with walnuts, and get their typical flavor from a dusting of vanilla sugar.
Mostly produced in Andalusia, polvorón are super crumbly and soft Christmas cookies, dusted in powdered sugar.
A Hungarian classic, these sweet rolls are buttery and come in different flavors. From nuts to cinnamon and cocoa, they're just perfect!
These delicate, soft tea cakes are perfect for the holidays. Known for their distinctive shape, they're slightly perfumed with lemon and vanilla.
Dusted with confectioners' sugar, the dainty, crispy khrustyky is perfect for Ukrainian Christmas. And now yours!
Alfajores are a must during the holidays. Popular in several South American countries, these sandwich cookies have a satiny texture and buttery dulce de leche filling.
In many cultures, cookies play an important part in the Christmas and New Year holiday festivities. From traditional cookies that are meant for Santa, to baking competitions with family and friends, there's always a reason to try out some new recipes. So why not look to other countries for some cookie inspiration?
Check out the following gallery to do exactly that! Click on!
Delicious holiday cookies from around the world
Sweet traditions from every corner of the globe
FOOD Christmas
In many cultures, cookies play an important part in the Christmas and New Year holiday festivities. From traditional cookies that are meant for Santa, to baking competitions with family and friends, there's always a reason to try out some new recipes. So why not look to other countries for some cookie inspiration?
Check out the following gallery to do exactly that! Click on!