Traditional Swiss Christmas Cookie Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the traditional Christmas meal in Switzerland? ›

In the German part of Switzerland, there are three traditional Christmas meals: meat fondue (either Fondue Chinoise, which is thinly sliced meat cooked in bouillon, or Fondue Bourguignon which is meat cubes cooked in hot oil); and Filet im Teig, which is a pork fillet covered in sausage meat containing either savoury ...

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.

Samichlaus, the Swiss Santa

In the evening of 6 December, the Samichlaus (or Santa Claus) visits every family with his helper Schmutzli, who is usually dressed in all-black clothes with a blackened face. Unlike in other countries, Santa knocks on the door and is invited in.

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.

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.

Shortbread and Spritz Cookies

Cookies like shortbread and spritz are great candidates if you want cookies that'll last a while. In the freezer: You can keep shortbread and spritz in the freezer for up to six months.

Chocolate Chip cookies

You can never go wrong with these classic, delicious 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!

America's favorite cookie and the one dubbed “the American cookie” is the Chocolate chip cookie. Chocolate chip cookie is simply tantalizing both in flavor and in texture.

In the United States, many children leave a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa. Some families deviate from the norm by leaving Santa and his reindeer carrots, pizza, or even celery.

Gingerbread has existed in some form since sugars and spices were brought back to Europe, from soldiers in the Crusades. However, it was not until Queen Victoria and Prince Albert included it with a variety of other German Christmas traditions that the gingerbread cookies became primarily associated with Christmas.

When should I make cookies for Christmas? ›

As for the cookies—made for cookie swaps, church potlucks, household snacking, and Santa's plate—there is one little cheat: make now, freeze for later. 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.

The recipe was perfected by the Moravians, Protestant settlers from Germany who made Nazareth their home during the mid-1700s.

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.

Christmas presents are under the lighted tree, candles shine brightly and the smorgasbord (or smörgåsbord, as it's written in Swedish) has been prepared with all the classic dishes: Christmas ham, pork sausage, an egg and anchovy mixture (gubbröra), herring salad, pickled herring, home-made liver pâté, wort-flavoured ...

Everyone in Switzerland does still receive gifts on Christmas eve because Samichlaus doesn't arrive at your home with gifts, the Christkind Angel is the one who brings these on Christmas eve. Instead Samichlaus brings bags filled with chocolates, cookies, nuts, and oranges.