We all have our perennial holiday cookie recipes that we love to bake, and eat. These holiday cookie recipes are part of what makes the nostalgia of the holidays so wonderful. It’s also fun to throw in something new – a new flavour, recipe or technique. From ELLE Gourmet Canada, and some of our other favourites bakers, here are ten delicious recipes, from German Christmas cookies to Middle Eastern from around the world to shake up your familiar cookie platter and enjoy over the holiday season.
1. Viennese Shortbread
Famous French pastry chef and chocolatier Pierre Hermé makes his decadent Viennese Shortbread for a festive treat. They are wonderfully crumbly and dipped in the highest quality dark chocolate.
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2. Rugelach
Who doesn’t love a good Rugelach? This recipe from The Kitchn walks you step-by-step through the whole process for a no-fail result, and gives lots of options for your rugelach filling.
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3. Austrian Linzer Cookies
Like a tiny, personalized Linzer Torte (originating in Linz, Austria), these delicate Linzer Cookies from Gimme Some Oven are soft and buttery and spread with a variety of jams that peek through the festive cookie window.
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4. Greek Kourabiedes (Snowballs)
These are a very popular holiday cookie with many origin stories. These Walnut Snowball Cookies from Simply Recipes are flavoured with walnuts, but can be adapted to your favourite nut. These cookies are also known as Greek Kourabiedes and Russian Tea Cakes. Mexican Wedding Cookies are very similar, but most typically have pecans.
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5. American Chocolate Coconut Whoopie Pies
These throwback Chocolate Coconut Whoopie Pies from Michelle Rabin are a wonderful nod to the American holiday season and fill a soft baked chocolate cookie with cream cheese frosting and jam.
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6. Austrian Almond Crescent Kipferl Cookies
Shaped in the traditional crescent shape of the Austrian yeasted bread “Kipferl”, these Almond Crescent Cookies (Kipferl Cookies) from A Beautiful Plate are buttery and delicate, loaded with almond and vanilla and tossed in sugar.
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7. Polish Kolaczki Cookies
These cookies have several origins, known both as the classic Polish holiday cookie the “Kolaczki” as well as the Hungarian “Kiffle”. This version from Momsdish is simple to make and comes together with just 5 ingredients.
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8. French Chocolate Swirl Meringue Cookies
Aimée Wimbush-Bourque of Simple Bites makes a myriad of delicious cookies, among them these irresistible Chocolate Swirl Meringue Cookies. This recipes uses French meringue, the easiest to make and bake, and her recipe includes lots of flavour variations. We also love Anna Olson’s Giant Chocolate Meringues.
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9. Middle-Eastern Maamoul Cookies
Stuffed with either nuts or dates, Maamoul is a semolina-based cookie with lovely notes of orange blossom. This cookie is rooted in the traditions and cultures of many Middle Eastern cuisines, and is served at celebrations around Eid and Easter. A press is traditionally used to create the pattern on top of these crispy cookies, however Yumna of Feel Good Foodie walks us through how to make them if you can’t find a press.
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10. German Spritz Cookies
These lovely spiced Cinnamon Spritz Cookies from Recipe Runner are reminiscent of snickerdoodles, but in a holiday format! The Spritz cookie has its origins in Germany and is typically made using a cookie press or piping bag.
