Did you know that the tradition of putting out cookies for Santa dates back to the 30s? It was during the Great Depression that families began leaving out cookies for Santa to teach their children the importance of thankfulness.
Today, the tradition continues and is enjoyed by children and adults alike. And with Christmas just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to share a list of the 10 most popular Christmas cookies.
Trust us; not just Santa but your friends and family will thank you for making these delicious treats!
10 Most Popular Christmas Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies
Of course, we had to mention the quintessential Christmas cookie – gingerbread! These deliciously spiced cookies are perfect for decorating any cookie platter.
The cookie’s origin is a bit of a mystery, but it’s believed that the first gingerbread cookies were made in Germany in the 15th century.
Today, there are all sorts of gingerbread cookies – from soft and chewy to crisp and crunchy. But one thing remains the same; they’re always delicious!
Peanut Butter Blossoms
These cookies are a holiday favorite, and for good reason! Peanut butter blossoms are simple to make and only require a few ingredients.
Most recipes call for a Hershey’s Kiss as the cookie’s center, but you can also use other types of chocolate or even caramel.
No matter what you use as the filling, we guarantee these cookies will be a hit!
Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies, a.k.a. Shortie, are a traditional Scottish biscuit dating back to the 12th century. These delicious, crumbly cookies are made with just three ingredients – butter, sugar, and flour.
Despite their simple ingredients, shortbread cookies are surprisingly versatile. You can add in all sorts of flavors like chocolate, lemon, or even lavender. Or, you can keep them classic and enjoy their buttery flavor.
Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are another holiday favorite and can be decorated to suit any occasion. Originating in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, these cookies quickly became a favorite.
One of the things that makes sugar cookies so popular is that they can be easily decorated. You can use icing, sprinkles, or even edible markers to make them as unique as you like.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Is there anything more classic than a chocolate chip cookie? We think not! Of course, they’re considered a year-round treat, thanks to their versatility and easy recipe. But we think they make an extra special holiday treat!
Chocolate chip cookies were first created by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. The story goes that Wakefield was making a variation of butterscotch dessert when she had the idea to add chocolate chips and let them fall where they would. And that’s how our favorite cookie was born.
Snickerdoodles
These cinnamon-sugar cookies are a favorite for both kids and adults. The origin of the snickerdoodle is still up for debate, but they’re thought to have originated in New England in the late 80s.
The most distinguishing feature of a snickerdoodle is the coating of cinnamon and sugar. This gives the cookie a delicate crunch and a hard-to-resist sweetness.
Biscotti
Biscotti, also known as Cantucci, is an Italian cookie dating back to the Middle Ages. These twice-baked cookies are perfect for dipping in coffee or tea and make a great holiday gift.
Biscotti comes in various flavors, but the most popular are almonds and hazelnut. You can also find biscotti made with chocolate, dried fruit, or even liqueur.
Macarons
Macarons are a French cookie invented by the Italian chef of Queen Catherine de Medici in the 19th century. These delicate cookies are made with almond flour, sugar, and egg whites and filled with a variety of flavored buttercreams or ganaches.
As with all sugared cookies, macarons are undoubtedly delectable. But what we like most about them is their beautiful appearance. These cookies come in different colors and can be decorated to suit any holiday or occasion.
Rum Balls
Originally invented by Danish bakers, rum balls are typically made with rum, chocolate, and nuts. These no-bake cookies are perfect for those who want to avoid turning on the oven.
While the traditional recipe calls for rolled wafers, you can use any type of cookie or even cake. And, of course, you can always adjust the amount of rum to suit your taste.
Linzer Cookies
Finally, we have something special all the way from Austria, Linzer cookies! These delicious sandwich cookies are made with two buttery cookies and filled with fruit jam. The most popular flavor is raspberry, but you can really use any type of jam you like.
Linzer cookies are actually a variation of Austria’s traditional tart, Linzertorte, which first originated in the town of Linz; hence the name!
While these are just a few of our favorite holiday cookies, there are many more to enjoy. So, get baking, and let us know what your favorite holiday cookie is!