Food & Party Planning Ideas
The Twelve Doughs of Christmas
A Dozen Holiday Treats From Around the World
If there is one universal symbol of Christmas, it has to be the Christmas cookie. Unlike Santa Claus, Christmas trees or Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas cookies are enjoyed throughout the world wherever Christmas is celebrated. From light and delicate Russian Tea Cakes to hearty, chewy Norwegian Pepperkaker, Christmas cookies come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and tastes. But despite this mouthwatering variety, there is one constant across all Christmas cookies - the nostalgic feeling produced by eating them.
Like Proust's Madelines, Christmas cookies speak to us of things past: of early Christmas mornings, piles of brightly-wrapped presents and the joy of the family gathered together. And while no Christmas cookie can ever taste as good as the ones we grew up eating, baking new recipes from around the world can establish our children's favorites.
"Nothing says 'Christmas' like a plate of home-baked Christmas cookies," said Zella Junkin, consumer affairs director for Wilton Enterprises, the nation's leading supplier of cake decorating and holiday entertaining supplies. "With so many good recipes from around the world, it would be a shame to not try different culture's holiday traditions."
With literally the world to choose from, it's hard to develop a limited list of Christmas cookies. Despite the nearly endless choices, Wilton has compiled its list of the "twelve doughs of Christmas" - a "greatest hits" of international Christmas cookie treats.
Aebleskiver
Aebleskiver are a Danish cake-like cookie traditionally served with glogg
during the Advent. Cooked in a cast iron pan that resembles an egg poacher,
Aebleskivers rely on buttermilk for their distinctive tang.
Berliner Kranzer
These German wreath-shaped cookies are flavored with grated orange zest
for a bright, citrus taste. Decorated with green and red candied fruit, Berliner
Kranzer are a colorful and unique addition to any Christmas cookie platter.
Biscotti
The all-purpose cookie of Italy, Biscotti lend themselves particularly well
to Christmas. Crunchy and satisfying, their elongated, narrow shape provide
an interesting contrast to other, more delicate cookies usually served at Christmas.
Almond-flavored Biscotti are the traditional Christmas treat.
Kolacky
Cream cheese adds tenderness to these soft, rich cookies from the Czech
Republic. Don't substitute "low-fat" cream cheese - the added moisture
and lower butterfat content will create a cookie that is less than tender.
Lebkuchen
Lebkuchen are probably the most popular cookie in Germany, and it is no wonder.
Sweetened with honey and flavored liberally with a variety of spices, these
chewy cookies can also keep for months - if you have any left over. These cookies
can be turned into festive treats by placing the dough in a Wilton Christmas
Cookie Mold.
Madeleines
So good they inspired an entire novel, Madelines are one of France's greatest
culinary creations. A light sponge-cake like cookie, Madelines can be flavored
with chocolate and dipped in tea for a light afternoon snack.
Pepperkaker
Known as Pepparnotter in Sweden and Pebernodder in Denmark, these delicious
spice cookies are a Christmas necessity in Norway and part of any Yule smorgasbord.
The secret ingredient isn't so secret - these cookies actually do contain white
pepper!
Shortbread
A Christmas favorite in their native Scotland, as well as throughout the United
Kingdom, Shortbread is an indulgent Christmas treat that depends upon the quality
of its few pristine ingredients. Unsalted butter, sugar, vanilla, flour and
a pinch of salt are the only ingredients in this holiday knockout. A Wilton
Christmas Cookie Stamp is a great way to add spirit to these sweet treats.
Spritz
Scandinavia is certainly blessed when in comes to Christmas cookies. Maybe it's
the long winter nights, but in addition to the Danish Aebleskiver and Norwegian
Pepperkaker listed earlier, the region is also responsible for Sweden's Spritz.
Shaped from a Wilton Spritz Cookie Press Set, Spritz also take well to flavor substitutions. Try making chocolate or peanut butter spritz in addition to the traditional almond-flavored butter cookies.
Russian Tea Cakes
Also known as "snowballs," Russian Tea Cakes are popular not merely
in Russia, but also in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. Substitute chopped black
walnuts for the traditional English walnuts for a slightly deeper flavor.
Vanillekipferl
An Austrian and Hungarian holiday cookie, these cookies are shaped into crescent
shapes, rolled in vanilla sugar and then dipped into melted semi-sweet chocolate
for an interesting variation color and flavor contrast. According to legend,
Viennese bakers shaped these cookies into crescents to celebrate a great Austro-Hungarian
victory over the Turks. Croissant are also said to have derived their shape
from the same celebration.
Bizcochitos
Also known as Mexican Wine Cookies, these traditional cookies are made with
sweet white wine. The cookies are flavored with cinnamon and crushed anise seed
for an interesting exotic flavor.
Wilton Enterprises is the leading designer of home celebration products, bakeware and cake decorating tools. From the hottest licensed characters to specially shaped holiday products, Wilton offers cake pans, cookie cutters, baking cups and traditional pastry decorating tools. Wilton is headquartered in Woodridge, IL. Interested cooks can call 1-800-942-8881 for information on the location of the nearest Wilton cake and confectionery decorating classes.
Wilton's International Christmas Cookie Menu
Biscotti
Kolacky
Lebkuchen
Pepperkake
Shortbread
Spritz
