What better way to enjoy Christmas in Switzerland than to eat Swiss Christmas cookies? I’m not even in Switzerland right now and the idea of eating any Swiss Christmas pastries sounds EXCELLENT to me! What makes these European Christmas cookies so special is that many of the recipes for them are passed down from generation to generation. This is similar to many Christmas cookie recipes here in the United States, too. However, Christmas cookies from Switzerland are different from the traditional Christmas cookies we often find here in the United States. Please read further to find out what I mean 😉
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Christmas Traditions in Switzerland
Similar to many places here in the United States, it’s normally cold and wintery once Christmas occurs in Switzerland. Many people enjoy viewing all the different Christmas lights and Christmas decorations that are displayed all over the country.
Samichlaus is the Swiss version of Santa Claus and it’s a very common Swiss Christmas tradition. However, contrary in the United States, Samichlaus visits Switzerland on December 6th (not the night before Christmas).
When Samichalus visits on December 6th, he brings a bag filled with chocolates, mandarins, nuts, and cookies.
Whether a child receives these goodies will depend on his or her behavior.
Now, besides the Samichalus tradition, another VERY POPULAR tradition in MANY Swiss households is baking Christmas cookies.
Some of the most popular kinds of Swiss Christmas cookies, as you will read more about further down the page, include:
- Mailänderli
- Zimtsterne
- Brunsli
- Chräbbeli
Similar to how many people here do it in the United States, Swiss families enjoy baking these cookies, putting them in nicely decorated boxes, and gifting them to neighbors and friends.
Basler Brunsli
Now, here is the first kind of Swiss Christmas cookie listed today.
The French name for these cookies is Brun de Bâle. They are small cookies that you flavor with cinnamon and cloves. You make them with chocolate and ground almonds, although some people make them with chocolate and hazelnuts.
Just so you know, these are some of the basic ingredients many people use to make these cookies:
- Almonds
- White sugar
- Dark chocolate
- Cinnamon powder
- Cloves
- Egg whites
Check out this YouTube video below by Cookswiss to see how mouth-watering these Christmas cookies are!
FYI, sometimes you can usually distinguish these popular European Christmas cookies because people normally bake them using a bear-shaped cookie cutter.
If you’re interested in making these delicious chocolate spice cookies, you can find the bear cookie cutter shape on Amazon by clicking on this link.
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Zimtsterne
The English translation for these Swiss Christmas cookies is cinnamon stars. Zimsterne is possibly one of the MOST popular Christmas cookies in Switzerland.
These are similar to Brunsli cookies (above), except you do not make them with chocolate. Also, they’re obviously shaped into stars as the name implies, haha. Anyway, the main ingredients consist of ground almonds (or hazelnuts), egg whites, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.
Vanillegipfeli
These are crescent-shaped, crumbly Christmas cookies. Similar to the cookies above, you flavor them with vanilla and ground almonds. Also, make sure to coat them in sugar right after you take them out of the oven 😉
(FYI, many of these cookie recipes will ask for vanilla sugar, which is a very common ingredient in European baking. Here in the United States, we typically use vanilla extract).
(It’s similar to this one which you can find on Amazon).
Also, in case you’re wondering … Yes, these cookies are similar to Mexican wedding cookies and Russian tea cakes.
These are some of the basic ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious Christmas cookie from Switzerland:
- Butter
- Sugar
- Vanilla sugar (or vanilla extract if you’re in the USA)
- Ground almonds
- Flour
- Salt
- Powdered sugar
If you’re interested in learning more about how to make these popular Christmas cookies from Switzerland, please check out this video below by Christof Küenzi:
Mailänderli
The French name for these Christmas cookies is Milanais. They’re small cookies that have a lemony flavor. The Mailanderli cookies have a shiny yellow appearance because you brush them with beaten egg yolk right before baking them.
Spitzbuben
These are jam-filled, vanilla-flavored shortbread butter Christmas cookies! Most people like to fill them with a red-colored jam for the holidays. These cookies are distinguishable because there is a cutout in the center to allow you to see the jam filling.
You can use special cookie cutters like these to make sure you are going to be able to see the jam filling.
Chäbeli
These are anise Christmas cookies that are very popular in Switzerland. Now, I’ve gotta warn you if you don’t already know this…
Anise is a VERY STRONG flavor! I personally LOVE it. My husband, however, says it tastes like black licorice and he can’t stand it.
🙁
Anyway, they aren’t too difficult to make as the recipe does not require very many ingredients.
Some of the basic ingredients for this recipe include the following:
- Eggs
- Powdered sugar
- Anise seeds
- Kirsch
- Salt
- All-purpose flour
If you’re interested in trying these anise Christmas cookies for yourself, I recommend you check out this recipe by Martha Stewart.
Baslir Läckerli
This is a hard, spiced cookie that originates in Baslir, Switzerland.
Although people eat this cookie all year round, it is VERY popular to eat during Christmas time.
Here are the main ingredients for these flavorful Christmas cookies:
- Honey
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Kirsch
- Candied citrus peels
Check out the video below uploaded by Archive TV to learn more about the importance of this kind of cookie in the identity of Baslir, Switzerland.
Final Thoughts On Swiss Christmas Cookies
And that’s a wrap! I hope you seriously consider making at least one of these Christmas cookies from Switzerland. Did any of them stand out to you? Which ones? If so, please let me know in the comments below!
