In this mouthwatering guide, we’ll enter the world of traditional German Christmas cookies, offering step-by-step instructions of how to bake these delicious treats right in your own kitchen. From the spicy aroma of Lebkuchen to the sweet, almond bliss of Vanillekipferl, this article is your ticket to creating a festive, German-inspired holiday season.
The art of baking German Christmas cookies is a cherished tradition that spans generations, blending the warmth of the holiday spirit with the rich flavors of German confectionery.
This video guide starts with a butter cookie base recipe to ensure you can recreate the authentic taste and texture that make these cookies a staple on German Christmas tables. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or pulling out the mixer for the first time, this recipe is designed to be foolproof, guaranteeing success and perhaps starting a new holiday tradition in your home.
With special tips on getting the spices just right and what you can add for that special flavor, achieving the perfect consistency, and presenting your cookies in true German holiday style, this guide is more than just recipes – it’s a window into the heart of German Christmas celebrations.
Join me as we take a festive journey to the heart of Germany’s Christmas spirit, one delightful cookie at a time.
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The video below explores the rich tradition of baking cookies during the Christmas season in Germany and other European countries. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, when exotic spices from the Orient began to be used in Europe.
It features Susi Carreira and Katja Stieber from the baking blog “Küchen-Miezen,” who demonstrate how to make classic German “Plätzchen” (cookies).
I warn you. It may make you hungry and ready to make German Christmas cookies no matter what the time of year.
How To Bake Traditional German Christmas Cookies by DW Food
Throughout the video, you’ll learn about popular German Christmas cookies like vanilla crescents, Lebkuchen (German gingerbread), cinnamon stars, and shortbread.
The presenters provide a detailed recipe for butter cookies, which includes ingredients such as diced butter, a beaten egg, flour, a pinch of salt, powdered sugar, and half a vanilla pod for flavoring. The dough is chilled for an hour before being rolled out and cut into shapes. The cookies are then baked at 180 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes.
The video emphasizes the fun of decorating cookies with icing sugar, lemon juice, food coloring, and sprinkles. Additionally, it highlights the use of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, allspice, and cloves to give the cookies a festive flavor.
These spices were once considered a luxury in Europe and were traditionally reserved for the Christmas holidays. The video concludes with the joy of sharing these homemade treats, which are quickly devoured during the Advent season.
Give it a go and make your own German Christmas cookies.
Want to learn more about German food? Find our guide to German Christmas recipes (including cookies!) here and the best German pastries here. You can also find all our German food articles here.
