16 Must-Try Authentic German Christmas Cookies

Authentic Springerle Cookies

These anise-flavored German Christmas cookies have been a holiday tradition for centuries, often shaped with decorative wooden molds or carved rolling pins. 'We've been making these traditional cookies every year since my childhood,' says PREGOCOOK. 'My mother recalls her grandmother making them with this recipe passed down through the generations. The molds can be hard to find, but try specialty kitchen stores or antique shops.'

Pfeffernüsse (German 'Pepper-Nut' Christmas Cookies)

Chef John shares his take on this holiday classic. 'I believe this is the ultimate Christmas cookie,' says Chef John. 'Soft, chewy with a delicate, crisp icing, and the perfect blend of cozy winter spices. Pack them up in a tin and share with family and friends!' He also explains the meaning of the name: 'Pfeffernüsse translates to 'pepper-nut,' although these cookies don't actually contain any pepper. In the past, 'pepper' was a general term for spices, and these cookies were called 'nuts' because of their shape!'

Traditional German Honey Cookies

"I got this recipe from my grandmother, who inherited it from hers," says Darlene. "She had to translate it and figure out the measurements. The original recipe simply said 'enough flour to make a dough.' Thankfully, Grandma knew exactly what kind of dough was needed."

Buttery Crescent Biscuits

These buttery, crescent-shaped cookies (Kipferl) are made with almond flour and dusted with vanilla sugar. 'These scrumptious almond-based biscuits are perfect for any time of year,' says Marianne. 'Pair them with a hot cup of tea and enjoy!'

Authentic German Lebkuchen

"This recipe is over 150 years old, passed down through my family for generations, especially at Christmas time," says Ruth. "These are much simpler to prepare than traditional lebkuchen, and we've updated the ingredients to reflect what's available today. They're made with almond flour, so they're naturally gluten-free and dairy-free as well."

German Christmas Coconut Cookies

These incredibly easy, gluten-free coconut cookies require just three simple ingredients. "Kokosmakronen are a favorite among German Christmas cookies," says vewohl. "In Germany, they're traditionally baked on Back Oblaten (very thin round wafer paper) that you can find online, though you can also bake them directly on parchment paper."

German Twists

"This rich and flaky sour cream and yeast dough cookie is a true delight, with its many layers and twists," says Eliserae. "It's a classic recipe with countless variations. This updated version uses all butter and a food processor for a perfect balance of flavor and ease. The dough is actually sugar-free, but the sweetness comes from generously sugaring the dough and work surface as you roll and fold it several times before shaping and cutting the cookies."

Bacon Cookies

This cookie proves the saying that everything is better with bacon. 'This is a traditional German holiday recipe. It's a refreshing change after all the sweet, sugary treats—perfect for when you're craving something savory!' says THISISAMBER.

Vanillekipferl

These classic buttery almond cookies are shaped into crescents and dusted with fragrant vanilla sugar. 'Vanilla cookie crescents are the perfect German Christmas treat!' says Marianne.

Zimtsterne

These cinnamon-spiced, star-shaped German cookies are always a crowd favorite at Christmas. 'My absolute favorite!' exclaims KickKiki. 'If you're wondering what they taste like, think of a sugar cookie with a touch of spice. So delicious! I love adding red and green sugar crystals on top for a festive pop of color.'

Oma Kiener's Hazelnut Christmas Cookies

Making these hazelnut icebox cookies is a breeze. You can prepare the dough days ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to slice and bake!

German Walnut Shortbread Cookies

"These German Christmas cookies are similar to shortbread, and we bake them every December," says recipe creator Marianne. "The recipe yields a large batch and they're quick to prepare, since all you need to do is slice the dough—perfect for last-minute baking!"

Easy German Cut-Out Cookies

"These simple cut-out cookies are a holiday essential in Germany," says recipe creator Barbara. "They're especially fun for kids, who love helping to cut out shapes and decorate, then enjoy eating these delicious cookies that hold their form perfectly."

Coconut and Marzipan Macaroons

These chocolate-coated marzipan macaroons originally came from Lübeck, Germany, as shared by recipe creator nch.

Bethmaennchen (German Marzipan Christmas Cookies)

Bethmaennchen, meaning 'little praying men,' are classic German Christmas cookies made from marzipan. Each cookie is topped with three almonds to pay tribute to the three sons of the Bethmann family.

Pfeffernusse Cookies

This classic German spice cookie blends cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise, cinnamon, and, of course, pepper. 'This is by far the best Pfeffernusse recipe I've ever made,' says Anna. 'I recommend following the recipe the first time around. The spices are quite personal, and you can adjust them to suit your taste. I tend to add a little more pepper, but that's just me.'

More German Recipe Ideas:

• 17 Traditional German Cake Recipes
• A Complete German Christmas Dinner Menu
• Browse our entire collection of German Recipes.