Best German Cookies to Enjoy This Holiday Season!

German cookies are more popular for their traditional connection to the holiday season. Some German cookies are so famous that they are exported yearly during the holiday season for everyone to enjoy. Among the best German cookies to bake and devour are Lebkuchen, Vanillekipferl, and walnut shortbread.

Germans have a rich culture of baking that continues to astonish the world to this day. With Christmas confections dating back to the Middle Ages, Germans have continued many traditions for centuries. We’re going to talk about the best German cookies that you won’t want to miss!

Best German Cookies

Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen cookies are the most popular German cookies for the holiday season. They are tender treats filled with warm spices and a topping of vanilla sugar glaze. Elisenlebkuchen is a special type of lebkuchen that is quite famous. This recipe uses less flour with almonds and hazelnuts to ensure that the cookies are extra nutty, chewy, and soft.

Lebkuchengewürz is a special spice mix used to make the iconic flavor of lebkuchen for these cookies. Even if it’s not Christmas, you can enjoy lebkuchen cookies at home as a winter treat.

Spekulatius

Spekulatius comes from a Latin word, “speculum.” It means “mirror,” which is the nature of these spice cookies. They take the shape of the wooden mold they are prepared in. Spekulatius are shortcrust biscuits, also known as Dutch windmill cookies. They are available in US German bakeries alongside other German desserts all year round, but not in Germany. They only get it for Christmas.

Spekulatius are thin and crunchy cookies with a delicious caramelized flavor. The American version of these cookies is slightly different from the German version. It’s hard to find the authentic recipe of Spekulatius to prepare at home.

Springerle

Springerle is a German word that means “little jumpers.” These chewy and crispy cookies got their name because of their baking behavior. When springerle is baked, the cookies rise or jump. Springerle cookies are from the Southern region of Germany, specifically from Swabia.

The cookies are flavored with star anise and embossed as flowers, fruits, and other designs. Springerle is popular during Christmas and New Year’s.

Bethmännchen

Bethmännchen has a heartwarming story behind its invention. Legend suggests that a famous French pastry chef created Bethmännchen for Simon Moritz von Bethmann. They were created in 1838 and initially had four almonds on top of the cookies for each of Moritz’s sons. When one of his sons passed away, one of the almonds was removed. Bethmännchen is topped with three almonds now.

Bethmännchen are cookies made from marzipan. These marzipan cookies are popular in Germany during the holiday season. On the inside, they are chewy, while on the outside, they are crisp. Although you can find these cookies in German bakeries, they are easy to whip up at home any time of the year.

Vanillekipferl

Vanillekipferl are traditional Christmas cookies, also known as German vanilla crescent cookies. They are filled with nuts with such a tender texture that the cookies melt in your mouth. Vanillekipferl have a mini croissant shape with snowy vanilla sugar dusted on top to make them look incredibly festive.

The Vanillekipferl recipe is basic, so you don’t need to wait for the holidays to get the right ingredients. If you wish to prepare vanilla crescent cookies at home, you can start right away. You can store as many of these cookies as possible because they taste better after storage.

Zimtsterne

Zimtsterne cookies are star-shaped German cookies with almond and cinnamon flavors. The cookies are soft and tender in texture with a finishing of sugar glaze. Zimtsterne are similar to most of the cookies on this list—they are perfect as holiday treats. Most people also offer them to their guests as a tradition.

If you don’t want to wait for someone to gift these delectable cookies to you, feel free to prepare them at home using simple ingredients like egg whites, almond flour, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.

Pfeffernusse

Among the best German cookies is Pfeffernusse, also known as pepper nut cookies. These round-shaped cookies are made extra sweet using brown sugar and molasses. Although these cookies are similar to other German Christmas cookies, they are made special with the combination of spices.

Pfeffernusse combines nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise, black pepper, clove, and allspice. The spice might seem a bit much, but those who know how to prepare it understand the right balance of the spices and prepare them to be perfectly spiced with a wonderful sweet flavor.

Nussmakronen 

Nussmakronen is another holiday favorite from the selection of German cookies. They are sweet macaroons flavored with hazelnuts. The outside of the Nussmakronen is crispy, but the inside is delectable and chewy. These macaroons only need four ingredients, which makes them super easy to make.

You need whole hazelnuts, ground hazelnuts, egg whites, and sugar. These are strictly traditional holiday cookies, so make them whenever you want.

Nussecken or Nut Corners

Nussecken are also known as nut corners. These are layered German cookies made with shortbread, caramelized hazelnut, and apricot jam. The texture is to die for, and the contrasting taste is so delectable you won’t be able to stop eating!

Nussecken are shaped in triangular bars that are dipped in chocolate—this addition only makes them irresistible. The cookies are soft, buttery, chewy, and crunchy at the same time.

German Hazelnut Cookies

Those who enjoy the flavor of Nutella love these German Hazelnut cookies. The cookies are made with hazelnuts that are toasted while baking. It improves the flavor and makes them taste more like butter cookies.

If you want to diversify your holiday cookie selection, add these German Hazelnut cookies to the mix.

Heidesand

When you use browned butter to make cookies, you end up with Heidesand, which is not bad at all. In fact, these cookies are shortbread cookies, and they taste delightful. Heidesand are classic German cookies, more popular during the holidays.

The name of these cookies comes from the region they originate from, Luneburger Heide, and the sand part is due to its sandy consistency. Heidesand cookies are super easy to prepare, so get your baking utensils out and start preparing them, even if it’s not a holiday because these cookies are a must-have to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Walnut Shortbread

Shortbread is already a delectable treat for many, adding walnuts to the cookies only makes them more delicious. These Walnut Shortbread cookies are classic German Christmas cookies that will bring joy to your household.

The cookies can be prepared with flour, sugar, butter, and ground walnuts. You need many cookie cutters to shape them into various designs and have a blast at home with your kids and family. They are easy to make, and the holiday vibe is worth baking them at home!

Spritz Cookies

Spritz cookies are addictive, to say the least. They are buttery soft sugar cookies, making you want to eat more than one with each bite. If for nothing else, try baking them at home for their pretty looks. They have the festive vibe most people love during the holiday season.

Spritz cookies are made by squirting the cookie material into the cookie press and squirting out charming shapes.

Spitzbuben

Another traditional German cookie treat is Spitzbuben. These cookies are made with two layers of almond shortcrust pastry with sweet jam in the middle. The result is a crispy, chewy, and buttery cookie that you can enjoy at Christmas.

They are traditional holiday treats, like many of these German cookies. Spitzbuben are also easy to bake. You can give them out as presents to your guests or prepare a personal batch to enjoy by yourself.

Elisen Gingerbread Cookies / Elisenlebkuchen – Germany’s Best Gingerbread ✪ MyGerman.Recipes

Elisen Gingerbread (Elisenlebkuchen in German) is a soft gingerbread cookie with delicious spices. They differ from American gingerbread not only in being flourless (except for the Backoblaten) but also in texture and crafting. These are the all-time favorite gingerbread cookies, and you should definitely give them a try.

Summary

German cookies are as popular among Americans as German deli meat and sausages. In fact, German cuisine deserves its global fan following because the flavors are so delectable that no one would want to miss out.

As for the cookies, holidays are incomplete without German cookies. The warmth of these cookies spreads across nations and makes everyone enjoy the delicious goodness. If you bake these cookies at home, it is sure to bring the joy of Oktoberfest to your doorstep, no matter the season!

Best German Cookies – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are German Cookies Made Of?

German cookies have various recipes, but the base ingredients remain the same for most of them: butter, sugar, flour, salt, and eggs. The recipes then differ in toppings and additional ingredients like almonds, hazelnuts, chocolate, vanilla, etc.

What Is the Most Popular Cookie in Germany?

Lebkuchen is a famous German cookie. They are popularly known as gingerbread in English. Germans have regional varieties of Lebkuchen, but you’ll easily find them in all German bakeries. These holiday cookies have been around since ancient times.

What Are Lebkuchen Cookies Made Of?

Lebkuchen cookies are made of butter, eggs, flour, brown sugar, honey, and almonds. The dough is easy to make and soft to roll out. You can shape Lebkuchen cookies as stars, hearts, or circles.

Also be sure to read about the best Jewish Cookies too!