10 Unique Christmas Cookies From Around the world

The holiday season is the perfect time to explore festive traditions from around the globe—starting with cookies! These 10 unique Christmas cookies each bring a special flavor, history, or twist to your holiday table. Try something new this year and treat your family and friends to international sweet delights.

Italian Pizzelle

Pizzelle are thin, crisp Italian waffle cookies often flavored with anise or vanilla. Traditionally made using a decorative iron, they’re delicate, lightly sweet, and perfect for gifting during the holidays.

German Springerle

Springerle are soft, anise-flavored cookies embossed with intricate designs using special molds. These festive treats have been a German holiday tradition for centuries and are often made in large batches to share with family.

Swedish Pepparkakor

Pepparkakor are crisp, spiced ginger cookies from Sweden, flavored with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. They’re often cut into fun holiday shapes like hearts, stars, and gingerbread people, making them as decorative as they are tasty.

Mexican Polvorones

Polvorones, also called Mexican wedding cookies, are crumbly, buttery cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor make them a beloved treat for Christmas and other celebrations.

Austrian Vanillekipferl

Vanillekipferl are crescent-shaped cookies from Austria, flavored with vanilla and ground almonds. Light, nutty, and dusted generously with powdered sugar, they’re a holiday staple across Central Europe.

Dutch Kerstkransjes

Kerstkransjes, meaning “Christmas wreaths,” are delicate Dutch cookies shaped like small wreaths and often adorned with sugar or nuts. They’re crisp, buttery, and festive, adding elegance to holiday cookie trays.

British Mince Pies

Mince pies are small British pastries filled with a sweet mixture of dried fruits, nuts, and spices known as mincemeat. Traditionally enjoyed throughout December, these pies are both rich in flavor and holiday history.

Greek Kourabiedes

Kourabiedes are Greek almond shortbread cookies, typically shaped into small rounds or crescents and coated in powdered sugar. Their buttery texture and nutty flavor make them irresistible during Christmas celebrations.

Polish Pierniki

Pierniki are soft, spiced gingerbread cookies from Poland, often decorated with icing or chocolate. They carry festive flavors of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and are sometimes shaped into stars, hearts, or little houses for the holidays.

Lebanese Maamoul

Maamoul are Middle Eastern cookies filled with dates, pistachios, or walnuts, traditionally made during festive seasons including Christmas. Their slightly crumbly texture and sweet fillings make them a unique addition to any holiday dessert spread.

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