THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. The German Tannenbaum or Christmas tree is usually put up and decorated on Christmas Eve. Even until now and in households with young children, the tree is still secretly decorated by the mother of the family and is revealed during Bescherung or gift opening. Traditionally,... Continue Reading →

Even though it is technically not a cookie, this German pastry is one of the most famous of all Christmas pastries. Stuffed with dried fruit, nuts and spices and famously dusted with a very thick layer of powdered sugar Christstollen are prized throughout the world. Stollen, pronounced 'shtaw-lehn,' is a cake-like fruit bread made with yeast, flour... Continue Reading →

One of Germany's most beloved and popular Christmas cookies, these delicious iced gingerbread treats are one of my all-time favorite! Crunchy on the outside, soft, spicy and chewy on the inside, Pfeffernüsse are just simply divine and hard to stop eating. Pfeffernüsse, which literally translates into 'pepper nuts,' are small spiced cookies that develop their flavor through a blend... Continue Reading →

Covered in a thin icing of dark chocolate and consisting of several layers, Dominosteine or domino tiles are another iconic German treat which can only be found during Christmas time. Having been invented in Dresden in 1936 by a German chocolatier by the name of Herbert Wendler, the original recipe for Dominosteine includes creamy marzipan which has been... Continue Reading →

These delicious thumbprint cookies are an absolute must for Christmas in Germany. Traditionally made with a shortcrust base that is filled with red currant jam, Engelsaugen or angel eyes, are soft and crunchy, buttery and fruity at the same time. In some parts of Germany, Engelsaugen are also called Husarenkrapfen, which translates into 'hussars donuts'... Continue Reading →

Spritzgebäck are one of the most delicious Christmas cookies you will ever eat. Pronounced 'shplitz-ghe-beck,' Spritzgebäck is a German and Alsatian-Mosellan Weihnachtskeks or Christmas cookie made of flour, butter, sugar and eggs. When made correctly these cookies are crisp, fragile and somewhat dry but buttery. A definite must on very Christmas cookie plate. Spritzgebäck. Photo... Continue Reading →

The Advent- and Christmastime is unimaginable without this iconic cookie. Almost always a 6-point star shape, Zimtsterne - with literally means cinnamon stars - consist mainly of cinnamon and almonds. Many people buy them packaged as soon as temperatures begin to drop at the grocery store, but they are easy to make and taste way better than... Continue Reading →

With December now in full swing and with Nikolaus only a day away, it is definitely cookie time. And not just any cookies. But a specific type of Weihnachtskekse or Christmas cookies. Cookies with a long family tradition. To this day, my grandmother and my mom still bake loads and loads of these cookies and spend hours... Continue Reading →

One of the easiest Weihnachtskekse you can make this holiday season are Mandelsplitter or slivered chocolate almond drops. Not only do these Christmas cookies come together in just a few minutes, since they consist only of a few steps and two ingredients, but they also do not include any flour or any regular sugar. Healthy, right? Held together... Continue Reading →

Kokosmarkonen are a classic and beloved Christmas cookie in Germany. Not only because they are delicious, moist, and chewy, but also because they are very easy and quick to make. Traditionally baked on Oblaten or wafers, Markonen date back to the 17th century in Italy. The name originated from the greek word 'makarios,' meaning delightful. The base recipe for macaroons... Continue Reading →