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!

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Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional Christmas meal in Switzerland? ›

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 Christmas cookies? ›

In Canada and the United States, since the 1930s, children have left cookies and milk on a table for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, though many people simply consume the cookies themselves. The cookies are often cut into the shape of candy canes, reindeer, holly leaves, Christmas trees, stars, or angels.

What is the traditional Christmas cake in Switzerland? ›

Panettone – Popular at Christmas and New Year. First produced by a Milanese baker in the early 20th century. Especially popular throughout Italian and French-speaking Switzerland.

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 number one cookie in the world? ›

Oreo is the best-selling cookie in the world. It is now sold in over 100 countries. Oreo was first produced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, now known as Na-Bis-Co.

Which cookie has been deemed most popular during Christmas? ›

Sugar Cookie is the preferred choice by 36% of people during Christmas in the United States. Almost 25% of children leave cookies out for Santa during Christmas.

Which Christmas cookies last the longest? ›

Shortbread cookies and spritz cookies are real holiday troopers, lasting a bit longer than the rest. These buttery and crumbly cookies are a great option for a holiday cookie. Shortbread is known for its rich flavor, while spritz cookies are often made with a cookie press.

What is the famous biscuit in Switzerland? ›

Brands
  • Basler Laeckerli (2)
  • Blevita (13)
  • Kagi (12)
  • Kaki Spuma (2)
  • Kambly (15)
  • Olo Marzipan (3)
  • Ovomaltine (3)
  • Wander (2)

What is Swiss Christmas? ›

The main Christmas celebration, known as Heiliger Abend, is on December 24. Many Swiss people decorate their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, and presents are exchanged after dinner. For children, presents on Christmas Eve usually come from the Christ child.

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 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.

How early to start Christmas cookies? ›

You'll find that most of your favorite Christmas cookie recipes can be made anywhere from a month to six months before the 25th of December. (Consult this handy how-to guide to the matter.) Generally, most recipes will be best if baked and then frozen.

Is there a national Christmas cookie Day? ›

NATIONAL COOKIE DAY - December 4 - National Day Calendar.

What do people in Switzerland do on Christmas Day? ›

Weihnachten—Christmas Day in Switzerland

With mountain snowfall in abundance, Christmas Day begins the winter sports season. Many head for ski resorts and or mountain chalets to try their hand at tobogganing, skiing, ice skating, Nordic skiing and bobsledding. Many chilly evenings conclude with delicious fondue.

What Christmas tradition is different in Switzerland from Germany? ›

Christmas is always the same, and very different at the same time. But in german-speaking Switzerland, children agree that on Christmas Eve, 24 December, the Christkind (Christ Child) brings the gifts, and on 6 December Samichlaus, the Swiss Santa Claus, gives out mandarins, nuts and chocolates.

What do they eat in Switzerland in the winter? ›

Some traditional Swiss dishes, such as fondue and raclette, are more typically eaten in the winter. Others, such as muesli – also known in Switzerland as Birchermüesli – and rösti are popular all year round and come in many variations.

Is there a traditional Christmas meal? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used.

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