Get a Taste of Nostalgia With These Old World German Christmas Cookies (2024)

FAQs

What is a German cookie that starts with AP? ›

Pfeffernüsse are small spice cookies, popular as a holiday treat with Germans and ethnic Mennonites in North America. Similar cookies are made in Denmark, and The Netherlands, as well. They are called Pfeffernüsse (plural, singular is Pfeffernuss) in German, pepernoten (sing.

Traditionally, these cookies are baked at home and consumed during the advent period, starting four Sundays before Christmas day. A big part of their appeal is the social aspect that is baked into them: almost never does one bake Plätzchen alone, and never does one bake just for oneself.

Lebkuchen, a delectable German gingerbread, has a rich history steeped in tradition, dating back centuries. Originating in the medieval monasteries of Franconia, these spiced treats have evolved over time, becoming an integral part of German holiday festivities.

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.

Kekse and – as at this time of year they're more commonly referred to – Plätzchen are general German words for cookies.

Kekse are biscuits/cookies in general while Plätzchen are a Christmas speciality, although the terms are somewhat interchangeable.

In Germany, the Christmas season starts with baking the first batch of “Plätzchen,” traditional German Christmas cookies.

Biscuits with motifs

The German tradition of biscuits and sweet pastries can be traced back to a very old Christian custom. As early as the 15th and 16th century, blessed bread was distributed to the faithful at the end of mass. The name of the Spekulatius biscuits comes from the Latin 'Specculum', or mirror.

Plätzchen are a popular style of German butter cookie that can be found in many variations in both handwritten and printed German-Jewish cookbooks. They are also the closest cookie to the traditional holiday Christmas cookie.

Pfeffernüsse: It doesn't get more classic than these little nubs of glazed, spiced gingerbread, and Aldi's version of the German Christmas staple, made with unbleached wheat flour, is a real winner — that is, if you like gingerbread.

What is the white stuff on the bottom of German cookies? ›

WHAT IS ON THE BOTTOM OF LEBKUCHEN? Oblaten Lebkuchen are distinguished by a signature edible wafer (collectively called Oblaten in German) on the bottom. The wafers are made from wheat flour, starch, and water.

noun. leb·​ku·​chen. ˈlāpˌküḵən. plural lebkuchen. : a Christmas cookie usually made with honey, brown sugar, almonds, candied fruit peel, and spices.

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

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.

Based on this data from General Mills, Peanut Butter Blossoms are the most popular Christmas cookie in the country; it's the most-visited cookie recipe in seven states, which means it's the most common favorite cookie in the U.S. That's a pretty high honor!

Lebkuchen is the general name for a variety of different cookies and pastries that are made with this combination of ingredients. Lebkuchen can be round or square or rectangular. The cookies can be glazed or not glazed. And if they are glazed it can be white or chocolate.

Historically Biscoff was produced (and continues to be produced) in Lembeke, Belgium.