Traditional German Christmas Cookies

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Nothing is quite as magical as Christmas in Germany. The sights, the smells, the decorations, the Christmas markets, and of course the food. Here are some of the most famous and beloved of all traditional German Christmas Cookies that you can make to enjoy and give away during the Christmas season!

Traditional German Christmas Cookies

Few scents capture the magic of Christmas quite like the warm, spicy aroma of traditional German cookies baking in the oven. From fragrant Lebkuchen to buttery Heidesand, these festive treats have been a cherished part of Germany’s holiday season for centuries. Growing up in southern Germany, my Mutti would make many of these delicious treats for us every Christmas and as I got older I baked them with her, learning from the best. A favorite tradition of ours was to bake a huge variety of these Christmas cookies, arrange them on individual plates, and give them as gifts to friends and loved ones. These traditional German Christmas cookies are one of the things I continue to look forward to the most as the holiday season approaches (along with a few other fabulous non-cookie German Christmas bakes, which I’ve included at the very bottom). With these throughly authentic recipes, I’m going to take you on a sweet journey through some of Germany’s most iconic and beloved Christmas cookies.

Pfeffernüsse

Growing up in Germany I was never a fan of the store-bought Pfeffernüsse you can find throughout the stores during the holiday season. They were dry with a texture like cardboard and their flavor was underwhelming. It wasn’t until I experienced homemade ones that my verdict changed. And change it did. These homemade spiced and glazed “pepper nuts”, or gingerbread cookies, are a game changer. Dunk them in your favorite hot beverage for a truly delicious treat.

Recipe for Pfeffernüsse

Bethmännchen

I’ll never forget the first time my Mutti made these. I must have been about 7 years old and after my first bite I was sold. Firm on the outside, chewy on the inside, packed with marzipan and decorated with three almond halves (there’s a touching story behind this that I share in my post), these traditional German cookies are truly something special.

Recipe for Bethmännchen

Lebkuchen

Christmas simply isn’t Christmas in our home without Lebkuchen. Specifically, the most famous variety of Lebkuchen known as Nürnberger Elisenlebkuchen. These date back to the 14th century in Nuremberg and have stood the test of time as one of Germany’s most beloved Christmas treats, exported worldwide.  And having eaten more Lebkuchen in my life than I care to admit, I can promise you that absolutely nothing beats homemade!

Recipe for Lebkuchen

Aachener Printen

These traditional gingerbread cookies come from the city of Aachen, the seat of Charlemagne’s empire and home to a UNESCO heritage site, the Aachener Cathedral, where Charlemagne is buried. These famous cookies have become safeguarded with a DOP designation (Protected Designation of Origin) and remain the city’s most iconic Christmas treats. These cookies are famously hard and crisp and perfect for dipping in hot beverages (in fact, there’s a standing joke that Aachener printen are so hard that the bakers have a standing contract with the city’s dentists!) These gingerbread cookies are richly spiced with deep caramel-like flavor notes.

Recipe for Aachener Printen

Zimtsterne

These are universally loved throughout Germany and can be found in any grocery store during the holiday season. And as good as the store-bought ones are, homemade Zimtsterne elevate the enjoyability to a whole new level in terms of both texture and flavor. Wonderfully chewy with an almost melt in your mouth texture, they’re made with almonds and are naturally gluten-free. These are a must in my home every Christmas!

Recipe for Zimtsterne

Vanillekipferl

These sugar-dusted almond crescent cookies originated in Austria but are likewise a traditional favorite throughout Germany. They’re an almond shortbread-like cookie with a high butter content and a fabulous melt-in-mouth texture and a delicate vanilla flavor. They’re one the most popular Christmas cookies in Germany and Austria.

Recipe for Vanillekipferl

Heidesand

These are a favorite childhood cookie and I can still remember standing at the stovetop as a little girl browning the butter in preparation for making these cookies with my Mutti. A buttery shortbread cookie, what sets these apart is the browned butter that gives them their distinguishing flavor.  Delicately crumbly with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re a generations-old Christmas favorite in Germany.

Recipe for Heidesand

Berliner Brot

A traditional Christmas bake from Berlin, these unique cookie bars are like a unique blend of brownie, gingerbread and biscotti, featuring chocolate, gingerbread spices and crunchy hazelnuts. They can be eaten soft or allowed to harden and are commonly sliced into rectangles, making them easy to hold for dipping.

Recipe for Berliner Brot

Speculoos

Also called Spekulatius, few things are as irresistible as these buttery gingerbread shortbread cookies. Wonderfully crispy and crunchy with a deeply caramelized flavor, these are the inspiration for Biscoff cookies. While they can be made into simple rounds or rectangles, they’re hallmark designs using cookie molds and embossed rolling pins are part of their beloved charm.

Recipe for Speculoos Cookies

Kokosmakronen

These coconut macaroons are enjoyed all year round but are especially popular at Christmas time.  They’re wonderfully chewy on the inside, slightly crispy and golden on the outside, and bursting with the delicious flavor of toasted coconut. And don’t forget to give them a dip and drizzle with chocolate!

Recipe for Kokosmakronen

Springerle

These are a centuries-old cookie from my home region of Swabia in southern Germany. These anise-flavored cookies go back at least 700 years in their rich tradition as special gifts during the holidays and other celebrations.  Delicately crispy-crunchy with a slightly chewy center, they’re made with simple ingredients and their flavor and texture only improve with time.

Recipe for Springerle

Magenbrot

You can’t walk through a German Christmas market without experiencing the wonderful aroma of Magenbrot wafting through the air. And while I’ve never been a big fan of the Magenbrot sold at the various stalls, this homemade Magenbroth is an absolute game changer. Made with homemade candied citrus peel and Lebkuchengewürz, a special German gingerbread spice blend, the flavor difference is simply unrivaled. This famous gingerbread is flavored with warming spices, honey, hazelnuts, orange, and chocolate.

Recipe for Magenbrot

Haselnussmakronen

Light, airy, and delightfully chewy, these hazelnut macaroons are a long-time favorite. Made with a base of nuts, egg whites and sugar, they are naturally gluten-free. Their ingredient profile similar to Zimtsterne but they have a lighter, airier texture and are simpler and faster to make.

Recipe for Haselnussmakronen

Mandelhörnchen

You’ll find these almond horns both in stores and in bakeries throughout Germany during the holiday season. They feature the delicious flavor of almonds and homemade marzipan and have a wonderfully chewy texture.  They’re simply irresistible.

Recipe for Mandelhörnchen

More Traditional German Christmas Favorites

While we’re on the subject of traditional German Christmas cookies, I’d like to share a few more German Christmas favorites. Some of these, like Dampfnudeln, Marzipan and Apfelstrudel, are eaten all year round with special emphasis during the holidays, while others are very much seasonal specialities like Stollen and Kinderpunsch. But as with the cookies above, that’s not to say that you can’t enjoy every one of these anytime you have the inclination to make them!

Stollen

This traditional Stollen recipe has been a reader favorite for years, consistently getting rave reviews. Stollen have been around for nearly 700 years and are prized throughout the world as one of the most famous and beloved of all Christmas pastries. If you’ve never cared for store-bought Stollen (I don’t) I promise you this homemade Stollen will change your mind. My recipe is made with homemade candied orange peel and marzipan (both super easy to make and they make ALL the difference), it is simply divine!

Recipe for Stollen

Marzipan

Marzipan can be enjoyed both as a standalone treat, dipped in chocolate, and as an ingredient to add to baked goods like the Stollen above. Buying it ready-made is expensive and often the manufacturers cheap out by adding more sugar than almonds. This homemade marzipan recipe is not only vastly cheaper than store-bought, it’s high quality marzipan that tastes phenomenal and it takes literally 5 minutes to make! Trust me, you will never buy it again! And for another delicious flavor variation, be sure to also check out my Pistachio Marzipan (a key ingredient along with German Nougat in making your own Austrian Mozartkugeln).

Recipe for Marzipan

Gugelhupf

This traditional yeasted cake combines the flavors of lemon, rum, almonds and raisins with lots of butter for a wonderfully fragrant and flavorful cake. Also known as Kugelhopf, this special cake has been known and loved for many centuries throughout Germany, France, Austria and Switzerland.

Recipe for Gugelhupf

Kinderpunsch

This is a childhood favorite with memories of strolling through the German Christmas markets with my hands wrapped around a hot mug of Kinderpunsch, the kid-friendly, non-alcohol version of Glühwein. This traditional mulled punch is made with fruit tea, fruit juices, citrus juice and a variety of warming spices for a heavenly hot beverage that will warm both body and soul.

Recipe for Kinderpunsch

Dampfnudel

These are a traditional favorite from my home of Southern Germany. They are steamed yeast dumplings drizzled that are pillowy soft and are served with vanilla sauce. The dumplings can be made unfilled or filled with fruit preserves and they are so filling that they’re commonly enjoyed as a main meal. One of my favorites, Dampfnudeln are the very definition of comfort food!

Recipe for Dampfnudel

Hutzelbrot

This is a very old, very traditional recipe from my home of Swabia in Southern Germany. It’s an old-fashioned , rustic German fruit and nut bread that is deliciously dense, chewy, moist and flavorful.  It’s made with whole grains and is packed with dried fruits, nuts and spices. It’s one of those old recipes that doesn’t quite have a modern equivalent, though you could definitely say that it’s the ancestor of fruitcake today. Like Stollen, Huztelbrot was traditionally made in advance of the holiday season and wrapped and left to “ripen” (improve the flavor and texture) in time for Christmas.

Recipe for Hutzelbrot

Marzipankartoffeln

The name translates to “marzipan potatoes” because that’s exactly what they look like. My homemade marzipan recipe takes just 5 minutes to make, it’s then shaped into balls which are rolled in cocoa powder. A traditional German treat, you’ll find these in stores throughout Germany during the Christmas season. But as with everything, nothing beats the flavor of homemade! They’re super easy to make and make cute Christmas gifts.

Recipe for Marzipankartoffeln

Marzipan Truffles

Chocolate dipped marzipan is a favorite in Germany and you can find them in various shapes, most commonly in logs in the stores. These marzipan truffles are the perfect bite-sized treats that make adorable gifts for Christmas. The homemade marzipan takes just 5 minutes to make, then it’s simply dipped in melted chocolate and left to harden. They’re so easy to make and are simply irresistible!

Recipe for Marzipan Truffles

Apfelstrudel

This famous dish originated in Austria but is equally enjoyed throughout Germany. It features flaky pastry filed with spiced apples and raisins and is served with vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream. A favorite among Austrians and Germans for generations, it has since become renowned the world over and for good reason – it’s delicious.

Recipe for Apple Strudel

Gebrannte Mandeln

Gebrannte Mandeln are ubiquitous with German Volksfests and Christmas markets. It’s one of those immediately recognizable smells as your strolling through one of Germany’s many Christkindlmarkts. These roasted caramelized almonds take a bit of practice to make (the sugar takes time to melt and then burns very easily) but they’re well worth it and are sure to become an annual holiday favorite.

Recipe for Gebrannte Mandeln

Rumkugeln

These can be found throughout Germany in stores during the Christmas season. But as with everything, homemade is SO much better. These traditional German rum balls (Rumkugeln) are super easy to make, come together in a jiffy and make terrific gifts to hand out to your friends and family!

Recipe for German Rum Balls