Decadent smells fill the air, the oven glow warms the room, and the first bite of that perfectly crispy freshly baked cookie is calling your name. There’s nothing quite like tasting a fresh cookie but preparing them can often be just as satisfying and fun.

That’s why, to celebrate the annual Bake Cookies Day on 18 December, Expat Explore is sharing some of the most delicious cookie recipes from around the world! Get the whole family together to prepare a fresh batch of cookies in time for Santa, and pass on the gift of baking to the next generation.

Try these delicious cookie recipes from around the world:

Whipped Cream Krumkake

Country: Norway

Whipped Cream Krumkake from Norway strikes the perfect balance of crunchy and creamy for an indulgent snack! If you plan on treating the family and Santa himself with this delicious bite, remember to prepare it a little in advance to allow it to cool completely before serving.

Ingredients:

• 250g all-purpose flour
• 200g granulated sugar
• 250ml heavy whipping cream
• 125g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Combine the flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl.
2. To the dry ingredients, add the heavy whipping cream, melted butter and vanilla extract and mix to form a smooth batter.
3. Preheat a krumkake press as per its instructions (you can also use something like a panini press for this step).
4. Scoop a big tablespoon of batter onto the iron, close it, and cook until golden brown and crispy.
5. Remove the krumkake and immediately roll it into a cone shape with a mould or the handle of a wooden spoon, holding it in place until it sets.
6. Repeat until you have enough for everyone!

Related: If cookies aren’t enough, check out more reasons to pay Norway a visit!

Shortbread

Country: Scotland

Traditionally, shortbread from Scotland is perfectly crumbly yet buttery, making it a delicious treat and a popular choice around the world. Spoil Santa and everyone on the “Nice list” with a fresh batch for Christmas!

Ingredients:

• 250g unsalted butter, softened
• 125g caster sugar
• 375g all-purpose flour
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C while you line a baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix the softened butter and caster sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Sift in the flour and add a pinch of salt before mixing the ingredients into a smooth dough.
4. Evenly spread the dough into the baking pan and press it down until smooth.
5. Prick small holes into the surface of the shortbread with a fork.
6. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the edges turn light gold.
7. Remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a drying rack.
8. Use a sharp knife and a cutting board to cut the shortbread into your desired shapes.
9. Add a touch of caster sugar on top to taste.

Related: Don’t miss out on the top annual Scottish events and festivals!

Ginger Snaps

Country: Germany

Germany loves ginger snaps, so named for the German term “snappen”, which means to seize them quickly. If you try these for yourself, you’ll understand why the rest of the world has also fallen in love with this crispy and delicious treat.

Ingredients:

• 250g honey
• 100g unsalted butter
• 100g brown sugar
• 500g all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 large eggs

For the Glaze:

• 200g powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Melt the honey, butter and brown sugar over medium heat in a saucepan and allow it to cool slightly.
2. Mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger together in a large bowl.
3. Add the honey mixture to the dry ingredients along with the eggs and mix until a smooth dough forms.
4. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
5. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Roll small portions of the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
8. Prepare the glaze while your cookies cool by mixing the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
9. Dip the tops of your cooled cookies into the glaze or drizzle it over the top.

Related: Discover the top 10 destinations to visit in Germany!

Vanilla Crescent Cookies

Country: Austria

Austria brings us our next delicious cookie recipe. Vanilla Crescent Cookies are traditionally Austrian and provide a melt-in-your-mouth texture with a subtle vanilla flavour. Similar to shortbread, this buttery and crumbly vanilla cookie is a crowd-pleaser. Santa and the youngsters will love it!

Ingredients:

• 250g all-purpose flour
• 200g unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 100g ground almonds
• 100g powdered sugar
• 1 vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 150g powdered sugar (for coating)

Instructions:

1. Combine the flour, cold butter, ground almonds, powdered sugar and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add vanilla to the mixture (either seeds or extract).
3. Knead the ingredients together with your hands until a smooth dough forms.
4. Shape the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Roll small portions of the dough into crescent shapes once chilled.
6. Arrange the crescents on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 minutes at 170°C (340°F) until lightly golden.
7. Let them cool for a while before transferring them to a drying rack.
8. Once completely cooled, coat them evenly in powdered sugar.

Related: Visit the top destinations in Austria and try all of their delicious treats.

Macarons

Country: France

Try a taste of France with a classic French Macaron recipe! The delicate yet crunchy shell combined with the silky smooth filling makes for the perfect after-dinner indulgence (or a sweet snack around the festive season). These might be on the more challenging side but each delicious bite will be worth it!

Ingredients:

For the Macaron Shells:

• 200g almond flour
• 200g powdered sugar
• 150g egg whites (aged, room temperature)
• 100g granulated sugar
• Food colouring (optional)

For the Filling:

• 150g unsalted butter, softened
• 150g powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Macaron Shells:

1. Combine almond flour and powdered sugar in a food processor by pulsing it until well combined before sifting the mixture into a large mixing bowl.
2. Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl until foamy. Slowly incorporate the granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form. Add food colouring for a festive touch.
3. Create the famous shiny batter by gently folding the almond flour mixture into the egg whites until smooth, taking care not to overmix.
4. Fill a piping bag fitted with a round tip with the mixture. Pipe small rounds onto two parchment-lined baking sheets.
5. Let them sit at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes or until a skin forms.
6. Preheat your oven to 150°C (300°F) and bake the macarons for 12-15 minutes. Rotate the trays about halfway through.
7. Carefully remove them from the baking sheets once cooled.

Filling:

1. Beat softened butter in a bowl until creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
2. Pick similar-sized macaron shells to form pairs.
3. Add a small amount of the filling onto one shell and top it with another to form a sandwich.
4. Refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.

Related: Order macarons like the locals with our top French travel phrases!

Chocolate Alfajores

Country: Peru

Our next cookie recipe is a chocolatey delight from Peru. Alfajores de Chocolate are the perfect holiday treat, comprising crunchy shortbread biscuits sandwiching rich and creamy dulce de leche (caramelised milk). Tuck in and try to leave some for Santa!

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g powdered sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 200g all-purpose flour
• 50g cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt

The Dulce de Leche Filling:

• 400g dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)

And the Chocolate Coating:

• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions:

Cookies:

1. Mix the softened butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
2. Add in the egg yolks and vanilla extract and mix well.
3. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide and shape the dough into two discs before wrapping them in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
6. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or the rim of a glass to cut out cookie shapes.
8. Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set.
9. Let them cool completely before assembly.

Filling and Coating:

1. Place a generous layer of dulce de leche in between two cookies to form a sandwich.
2. Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave and add the unsalted butter.
3. Dip each sandwich into the melted chocolate to coat all sides.
4. Let your alfajores set at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Related: Planning on visiting? Get the lowdown on Latin America before your trip!

Stroopwafel

Country: The Netherlands

The Netherlands brings us a sticky waffle cookie that everyone in the family will consider a treat! Stroopwafel is made with two waffle-like cookies glued together by a sweet and sticky caramel filling you’ll surely crave more of. Include this tasty Dutch treat in your festive season this year, and thank us later.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 350g all-purpose flour
• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 100g granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 7g active dry yeast
• 125ml lukewarm milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• A pinch of salt

For the Caramel Filling (Stroop):

• 200g dark brown sugar
• 100g unsalted butter
• 75ml dark corn syrup or molasses
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Dough:

1. Activate the yeast in lukewarm milk in a small bowl and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
2. Mix together softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and mix well.
4. Sift flour into the butter mixture, add the dissolved yeast, ground cinnamon and a pinch of salt, and mix into a soft dough.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size.
6. Divide and roll the risen dough into small round portions.
7. Preheat your stroopwafel iron or panini press.
8. Press a dough ball with the hot iron or press into a thin, round waffle.
9. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

Caramel Filling (Stroop):

1. Combine dark brown sugar, butter, dark corn syrup or molasses, and ground cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir continuously and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to a syrup.

Assembly:

1. Add a layer of the syrup (stroop) on one waffle disc and another on top.
2. Press gently to allow the caramel to spread to the edges.

Now that you have some inspiration for Christmas cookies this year, all that’s left to do is make a family moment out of baking them and leave them out for Santa to enjoy. These global cookies are so delicious, he might have more than a mouthful!

Related: Feast on even more European Christmas treats this festive season!

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If you’d like to try any of these international treats, Expat Explore offers guided group tours to all the destinations on our list. Book a trip and get a taste of the Christmas spirit for yourself!