Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

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posted by Gina Dickson on December 4, 2021

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You are going to enjoy baking and serving these traditional Swiss Christmas cookie recipes. Baking Christmas cookies, popular in other countries, is a great way to experience other cultures’ holiday traditions.

These Swiss cookie recipes are easy to make, and the combination of real butter and fine flour makes them a special treat that you will want to make every year. Santa will love getting these on his Christmas Eve plate.

Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (1)

How Are Swiss Cookies Different Than American

Traditional Swiss Christmas cookies have a basic dough, just like American cookies. They are made with the basic ingredients of flour, sugar, butter, and eggs. However, a few items are not quite as typical in America’s most popular chocolate chip cookie.

  • ground nuts
  • vanilla sugar
  • fruit jams

How to make ground nut flour

If you are not able to find ground nut flour in your local grocery store then purchase the nuts whole. Add the amount you need to your food processor and finely gride them. You want a consistency of fine flour mixture.

  • You can make ground walnuts.
  • Using whole almonds, you can make ground almonds flour. These tend to give you lighter and finer flour because they are not as oily as some nuts.

How to make vanilla sugar

In many Swiss cookie recipes, vanilla sugar is used instead of vanilla extract. If you do not have Swiss groceries in your area, you can order vanilla sugar or make your own.

To make vanilla sugar, place a split vanilla pod and a 1/2 cup of sugar in a shallow container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a dark, cool place like your pantry. Give the container a shack each day for two weeks. If you are in a hurry, you could also purchase vanilla paste.

Tip For Making Swiss Cookies

Many Swiss cookie dough recipes are sticky and have a matt finish. Allowing dry time after mixing the dough helps them become less sticky and easier to work with when shaping your cookies.

Tools For Making Cookies

When making cookies for gift-giving, it’s fun and easy to use a cookie press.

OXO Good Grips 14-Piece Cookie Press Set

Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (2)Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (3)

You will need a rolling pin and rolling sticks for many traditional Swiss cookie recipes. The sticks will be placed on each side of the dough. As you roll, you will only be able to roll the dough to the thickness of the sticks. this way, your dough will be even, and the cookies will bake evenly. You can also purchase rolling pins that have rings to place on the end for the thickness of dough you desire.

Adjustable Rolling Pin with Removable Rings, 13.6″, Multi-Color

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It is easier to roll out cookie dough on a non-stick silicone baking mat.

Silicone Baking Mat,26″ x 16″ Extra Thick Large Non Stick

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Basler Brunsli

Basler Brusli cookies are made with almond flour, and warm spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and cocoa powder. You can sprinkle powdered sugar or melted chocolate on them when you are ready to serve.

Basler brunsli, or just brunsli, are a “Wiehnachtsguezli(Christmas cookie) from Switzerland. “Basler” means from Basel, a city in the German-speaking part of the country. “Brun” means brown and the “li” ending means little. They are usually cut into star or flower shapes.

This recipe is great to share because they are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Also, they are great cookies to take to parties so those who have food sensitivities can have a special treat and not worry about gluten or dairy.

Basler brunsli (Swiss chocolate almond cookies)

Swiss Basler brunsli are a traditional cookie made with almonds, chocolate and a touch of spice. Naturally gluten free and deliciously good.

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Spitzbuben

If you need an easy and quick recipe, you will want to make Spitzbuben. They have a few simple ingredients, such as flour, sugar, butter, vanilla, and an egg. The filling can be your favorite fruit jam.

Spitzbuben Cookies – Platter Talk

Spitzbuben Jam Sandwich Holiday Cookies are an easy and delicious Swiss butter cookie that you can fill with your choice of fruit or berry preserves.

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Vanillekipferl

This is a traditional recipe for crescent-shaped cookies that are a buttery melt-in-your-mouth treat that is dusted with confectioners sugar. They are popular in Switzerland and in Austria, Germany, Croatia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary. The name of these cookies is the German word for vanilla crescents.

Vanillekipferl – vanilla crescent cookies (+ video) – Everyday Delicious

Vanillekipferl – melt-in-your-mouth vanilla crescent cookies. These Austrian / German Christmas cookies will be a hit at your holiday table!

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Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (10)

Spitzbuben (sandwich cookies)

These are traditional Swiss cookies that have a slightly crispy buttery cookie. The center of the sandwich cookie is filled with your choice of favorite jam or jelly.

They make a special delicious gift. Marlynn puts a special twist on these cookies by forming them using a cookie press. This will make it easy to put them into a cookie tin and mail.

Swiss Sandwich Cookies: Spitzbuben

These yummy Spitzbuben cookies are traditional Swiss Sandwich Cookies that have a buttery cookie shell and fruity jam center.

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How do you keep cookies fresh during the holidays?

  1. The best way to keep cookies fresh is after baking, allow them to cool at room temperature.
  2. Then layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a shallow airtight container.
  3. To keep them moist, place two slices of white bread on top of the cookies in your container. The bred will help keep moisture in your cookies.

Free How To Measure Butter Printable

There you are, right in the middle of making a recipe, and it calls for butter by the pound. But you are wondering how many tablespoons are in a pound of butter. You clean your hands best you can and grab your phone, flour getting on your phone screen. Save yourself time and stop getting your phone messy while cooking. Print this butter conversion chart and tape it on the inside of your cabinet door, or keep it handy in your favorite cookbook.

Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (12)

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2 comments on “Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes”

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  1. Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (13)

    Dan from Platter Talk Reply

    These are all wonderful examples of Swiss Christmas cookies and I can’t decide which to try first. I’m thinking I may just go down the line and try them all! Thanks so much for putting this together and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    • Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (14)

      Gina Reply

      Thanks Dan!

Christmas Dessert

posted by Gina Dickson on December 4, 2021

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Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 Christmas cookie? ›

#1 Iced Sugar Cookie

The Iced Sugar Cookie takes the top spot, stealing the show as the most favorite Christmas cookie with classic sweetness and festive decorations. Simple, delicious, and a canvas for creativity- it's the “go-to” for holiday bakers.

What is the traditional Swiss Christmas dinner? ›

The most popular choices for Christmas dinner are Filet im Teig (pastry wrapped pork fillet with sausage meat), Fondue Chinoise (meat fondue) or Schinkli im Teig (pastry wrapped hot ham) with potato salad. Eight. The Christmas tree. The Swiss usually buy a real tree, either a Weisstanne, Rottanne or Nordmanntanne.

Which of these is a thin hard Christmas biscuit originally from Switzerland? ›

Tirggel are traditional Christmas biscuits from Zürich, Switzerland. Made from flour and honey, they are thin, hard, and sweet.

What is the tradition of cookies at Christmas? ›

The practice of putting out cookies for Santa began in the 1930s during the Great Depression, when parents were trying to instill a sense of thankfulness in their children. Leaving goodies, perhaps in a sweet cookie jar, continues to be a way of sharing the holiday bounty.

What is the least popular Christmas cookie? ›

On the naughty list of cookies, Americans gave the lowest win records to anise cookies, which only won 29% of its matchups.

Which cookie has been deemed most popular during Christmas? ›

According to Google Trends data, first published by Axios, a lot of people took to the internet between December 3 and December 9 to hunt down different cookies (to buy or to bake, we don't know, but either way, it's a tasty search). However, there was one cookie that topped them all: gingerbread.

What are some unique Christmas traditions in Switzerland? ›

Christmas in Switzerland: traditions, foods, and characters
  • Cookie baking afternoon.
  • Grittibänz baking.
  • Ice skating.
  • Visit a Christmas market.
  • Glühwein.
  • Build a snowman.
  • Samichlausschwimmen in Zurich.
  • Make your own wrapping paper.

What do they eat in the Swiss Christmas market? ›

Traditional Foods and Handcrafted Artwork

Roasted chestnuts, glühwein, crepes, fresh pastries, pain d'épices, and bubbling hot raclette are available to enjoy as you peruse the gifts for sale in the decorated Christmas chalets.

What is the Christmas character in Switzerland? ›

Samichlaus is a Swiss Santa Claus with a long history dating back to the 14th century. He was known initially as St. Nicholas, and he would visit children on December sixth to bring them presents. Eventually, Samichlaus became his separate figure, and now he visits children on December sixth AND December eleventh.

What is the best biscuit in Switzerland? ›

K ambly has epitomized the Swiss tradition of fine biscuits for four generations. Each masterpiece from the Emmental is a small thank you for life; a declaration of love for the very best; the peak of fine, elegant taste.

What are the holes in biscuits called? ›

These tiny vents in these crackers are also known as "dockers" that allow steam to escape during the baking process, which prevents the crackers from rising like other biscuits or breads and minimise air bubbles. Those holes serve a very real purpose. Read below to know more about them.

What is a Scottish biscuit called? ›

Shortbread or shortie is a traditional Scottish biscuit usually made from one part white sugar, two parts butter, and three to four parts plain wheat flour. Shortbread does not contain any leavening, such as baking powder or baking soda.

What is the name of Christmas cookie? ›

Classic Christmas Cookies

They're the ones you might remember from the platters of your childhood, like snickerdoodles, molasses cookies, macaroons, sugar cookies and more. Every single one of these recipes is a tried and true favorite and is perfect for carrying on your cookie traditions year after year.

What is the symbol of Christmas cookies? ›

For so many around the world, cookies symbolize that spirit of giving. In all shapes and flavors, they're a bite-size emblem for generosity, solidarity, and seasonal joy. Here is the recipe for the first recorded American Christmas cookie.

Who made the first Christmas cookie? ›

Also called Amish sugar cookies or Nazareth sugar cookies, the modern sugar cookie was created by the Moravians, who settled in the Nazareth area from Germany during the mid-18th century. Pennsylvania adopted the Nazareth sugar cookie as the official state cookie in 2001.

What is America's favorite holiday cookie? ›

Among those who can make a single choice, frosted sugar cookies lead the list (32%), with gingerbread (12%) and chocolate chip (11%) rounding out the top three. Snickerdoodles (6%) come in fourth place, followed by butter (4%), peanut butter (4%), and chocolate (4%) tying for fifth.

What is the #1 cookie in the US? ›

Nearly 93% of all American households serve and enjoy cookies as treats or after meals. However, it's the chocolate chip cookie that's the most popular in the U.S. and around the world. How much do youknow about chocolate chip cookies?

What is the 2nd most popular cookie? ›

Nabisco Oreo was the second ranked cookie brand of the United States with about 674.2 million U.S. dollars worth of sales in 2017.

What is Santa Claus's favorite cookie? ›

Chocolate Chip cookies

Santa himself lists these as his favorites, and he prefers them soft and gooey with lots of chocolate chips. If you decide to leave these out for him, make sure there's a glass of cold milk nearby!

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