The Best From Our Community: Christmas Cookies

What will you fill your cookie jar with this year?

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Andreas Strauch

Community member

This article is part of our monthly issue "A Culinary Christmas Carol," in which we explore traditional and modern takes on holiday dishes from around the world. Using the framework of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, we'll share fun recipes, last minute gift ideas, tips for cooking a small feast in case you're social distancing, and plenty of light-hearted holiday content for you to unwind with. Check out this link to find an overview of all our weekly topics, stories, recipes, and more.

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that the first thing I think of when the Christmas season begins is cookies. As with many other families, the tin cookie boxes in our home were filled with a diverse assortment: From butter cookies made by mom, to croissants and macaroons from one grandparent, shortbread from another, cookies from friends, and some store-bought cinnamon star cookies squeezed in between.

There is a wide variety of Christmas cookies all over the world, and there are as many differences as there are similarities in the ways they’re made, decorated, and eaten. Coconut macaroons, jam thumbprints, and shortbread cookies are well-known in the United States and England, as well as in German speaking regions, while cinnamon stars or chocolate crinkle cookies are more popular in their countries of origin. So when I searched for the most interesting recipes for Christmas cookies from our community, I wasn't surprised to find a varied mix—and at the same time, many new variations and twists of the cookies we all know and love.

Whether you're looking for a refreshing new recipe, a lost recipe for a classic from your childhood, or a vegan or gluten-free alternative, you'll definitely find it here: