11 delicious holiday baking recipes from around the world
A traditional sweet, soft, and aromatic Mexican bread, typically enjoyed during the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) celebrations from November 1st to 2nd. This enriched dough is flavored with orange zest and orange blossom water, and shaped with decorative 'bones'.
A traditional Veronese Christmas cake, this tall, star-shaped, buttery sweet bread is a festive delight, known for its rich flavor and airy crumb.
A traditional Milanese Christmas bread, characterized by its tall, domed shape and rich, airy crumb studded with candied citrus peel and raisins. This is a challenging but rewarding bake.
Authentic Nuremberg Lebkuchen, a rich and spiced gingerbread, traditionally made for Christmas. This recipe focuses on a dense, moist texture, often without flour, and is a staple at German Christmas markets.
Delicate and fragrant German cinnamon star cookies, a classic Christmas treat. These cookies feature a crisp almond base topped with a sweet meringue glaze.
Colomba Pasquale, or Easter Dove Cake, is a traditional Italian sweet bread shaped like a dove, symbolizing peace. It shares similarities with panettone, featuring a rich, enriched dough studded with candied fruits and topped with a crunchy almond glaze. This recipe requires significant time for dough development and proofing, making it a rewarding challenge for experienced bakers.
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.
Traditional Austrian Lebkuchen are soft, spiced gingerbread cookies, perfect for the holiday season. Characterized by their rich flavor from honey, rye flour, and a blend of warming spices, these cookies are a festive delight.
Traditional S-shaped saffron buns, often enjoyed on Saint Lucy's Day (December 13th). The vibrant yellow hue comes from saffron, and raisins are typically used for decoration.
Kourabiedes are traditional Greek butter cookies, known for their incredibly crumbly texture and rich almond flavor. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are a staple during the Christmas holidays, generously dusted with powdered sugar.
Thin, crisp, and wonderfully spiced Swedish ginger snaps, a quintessential Christmas cookie. Perfect for decorating or enjoying plain.
