christmas Recipes
54 delicious christmas recipes from around the world
Pepparkakor (Swedish Ginger Snaps)
Thin, crisp, and wonderfully spiced Swedish ginger snaps, a quintessential Christmas cookie. Perfect for decorating or enjoying plain.
Pfefferkuchen (German Pepper Cakes)
Authentic German Pfefferkuchen, also known as pepper cakes, are a traditional spiced gingerbread cookie, especially popular during the Christmas season. They are known for their distinct spicy kick, often more pronounced than other gingerbread varieties.
Rotkohl (German Braised Red Cabbage)
A classic German side dish of red cabbage braised with apples, onions, and warm spices, offering a delightful sweet and sour flavor profile. It's a quintessential accompaniment to holiday meals, especially Christmas.
Santola Recheada (Portuguese Stuffed Spider Crab)
A luxurious Portuguese delicacy, Santola Recheada features tender spider crab meat mixed with aromatic seasonings, stuffed back into its shell, and gratinated to a golden-brown perfection. Traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season, this dish is a true celebration of fresh seafood.
Sillsallad (Swedish Herring Salad)
A classic Swedish Sillsallad, a vibrant and flavorful salad featuring pickled herring, tender beets, boiled potatoes, crisp apple, and a creamy dressing. Perfect as a starter or part of a festive smörgåsbord.
Stollen
A traditional German Christmas bread, this rich fruit bread is studded with dried fruits and a core of sweet marzipan. A true Dresden specialty, it's perfect for festive occasions and can be made well in advance.
Struffoli
Neapolitan honey balls - tiny, deep-fried dough balls coated in warm honey and traditionally decorated with sprinkles and candied citrus. A beloved Christmas treat from Naples.
Torrone (Italian Nougat)
A classic Italian confection made from honey, sugar, egg whites, and almonds. This recipe yields a firm, chewy torrone, perfect for slicing and sharing. It requires patience and precision, but the result is a delightful treat steeped in tradition.
Uszka (Polish Mushroom Dumplings)
Uszka, meaning 'little ears' in Polish, are traditional tiny dumplings often filled with a savory mushroom and onion mixture. They are a quintessential part of Polish Christmas Eve supper (Wigilia), typically served floating in clear borscht (barszcz).
Vanillekipferl (German Vanilla Crescents)
Delicate, melt-in-your-mouth German vanilla crescent cookies, a beloved Christmas tradition. These buttery, almond-infused cookies are lightly sweetened and dusted with vanilla sugar.
Zimtsterne (German Cinnamon Stars)
Delicate and fragrant German cinnamon star cookies, a classic Christmas treat. These cookies feature a crisp almond base topped with a sweet meringue glaze.
Bibingka
A traditional Filipino sweet rice cake, often baked in a clay pot lined with banana leaves, especially popular during the Christmas season. It has a slightly spongy texture and a subtly sweet, coconutty flavor, typically enhanced with toppings.
Ensaymada
Filipino sweet brioche - a rich, buttery, and slightly sweet bread topped with grated cheese and sugar. Traditionally enjoyed during Christmas and special occasions.
Filipino Embutido
A classic Filipino festive meat roll, typically enjoyed during Christmas. This steamed pork loaf is studded with hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickles, and cheese, creating a colorful and flavorful cross-section when sliced. It is traditionally served cold.
Buñuelos
Crispy, thin Mexican fritters made from fried dough, generously coated in a warm, spiced piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar) syrup. A beloved Christmas tradition, these buñuelos are known for their delicate crunch and sweet, aromatic flavor.
Buñuelos Colombianos
Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, these Colombian cheese fritters are a beloved Christmas essential. Made with salty costeño cheese and tapioca starch, they puff up beautifully when fried to a golden brown.
Conserva de Coco (Venezuelan Coconut Candy)
A traditional Venezuelan confection made from shredded coconut and papelón (unrefined cane sugar), spiced with cinnamon and cloves. This dense, sweet candy is a popular treat, especially during the Christmas season.
Dulce de Higos (Candied Figs in Spiced Syrup)
A traditional Venezuelan sweet treat of green figs gently simmered in a spiced sugar syrup until tender and translucent. Perfect for holiday celebrations or served with cheese.
Dulce de Lechosa (Candied Green Papaya)
A traditional Venezuelan Christmas dessert featuring tender strips of green papaya simmered in a spiced syrup made from papelón (unrefined cane sugar). The papaya becomes translucent and sweet, with warm notes of cinnamon and cloves.
Ensalada de Gallina (Venezuelan Chicken Salad)
A classic Venezuelan chicken salad featuring tender shredded chicken, diced potatoes and carrots, sweet peas, and crisp apple, all bound together with creamy mayonnaise. Perfect as a side dish or light meal, especially during festive occasions.
Hallaca
A traditional Venezuelan Christmas tamale, the Hallaca is a labor of love. It features a rich corn dough filled with a savory stew of beef, pork, and chicken, complemented by capers, raisins, and olives, all wrapped in fragrant banana leaves.
Natilla (Colombian Cornstarch Custard)
A beloved Colombian Christmas dessert, this creamy, cornstarch-based custard is infused with the warm flavors of panela and cinnamon. It's a smooth, sweet treat that sets to a delightful pudding-like consistency.
Pan de Jamón
A quintessential Venezuelan Christmas bread, this sweet and savory roll features a soft dough generously filled with thinly sliced ham, briny olives, and sweet raisins, creating a beautiful spiral when sliced.
Pasteles
Puerto Rican pasteles are a cherished Christmas tradition, resembling tamales. They feature a savory filling of seasoned pork encased in a flavorful dough made from green bananas and yautía, all meticulously wrapped in banana leaves.