German Christmas Baking Recipes

This collection brings together my favourite German Christmas baking recipes. You’ll find classic German Christmas cookies like Spitzbuben (my favourite!) Vanillekipferl (Vanilla Moons) and Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars), festive cakes and yeasted bakes like Stollen, plus a few traditional treats like my easy homemade marzipan that are perfect for snacking or sharing.

Everything here is tried, tested, and written for home bakers who want simple, reliable and tasty recipes. Whether you’re planning a full Christmas baking marathon or just picking one or two recipes to make the season feel special, I hope you’ll enjoy some of my favuourite traditional German Christmas Recipes below.

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Spitzbuben – German Christmas Cookies

Spitzbuben are one of the most beautiful traditional German Christmas cookies. Also known as Linzer Augen or Linzer Cookies, the delicious combination of buttery short pastry and tangy redcurrant jelly is a Christmas classic.

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Zimtsterne (German Cinnamon Star Cookies)

The ultimate German Christmas cookie, Zimtsterne or Cinnamon Star Cookies are deliciate nut based morsels with a crispy meringue frosting.

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Vanillekipferl (Vanilla Crescent Cookies)

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas in Germany without the wonderful tradition of ‘Plätzchen’ – tins of mixed, homemade cookies.

Possibly the tastiest of all are Vanillekipferl, crumbly, buttery crescent-shaped cookies, scented with heavenly vanilla. Yum!

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Eierlikör Linzer Cookies

These perfectly crumbly Eierlikör Linzer Cookies are filled with Advocaat spiked pastry cream. They make a delicious addition to your Christmas baking, especially served with a big mug of eggnog or Glühwein!

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German Dominosteine Chocolates

Dominosteine are a traditional German Christmas praline made from layered gingerbread, fruit jelly and marzipan, all coated in a luscious layer of rich dark chocolate.

Invented in Dresden in 1936 by chocolatier Herbert Wendler, these delicious treats are fun to make at home and are so tasty!

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Easy Homemade Marzipan

My Homemade Marzipan recipe is super easy and tastes miles better than store-bought. This eggless, no-bake recipe comes together in minutes with just three ingredients. Perfect for Christmas time, fruit cakes, cookies, marzipan candy and more.

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Traditional German Christmas Stollen

German Christmas Stollen is always a real treat during the holiday season. Made from an enriched yeast dough, loaded with rum-soaked fruit and candied peel, Stollen is delicious served with a cup of coffee or a warming mug of Glühwein.

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Nussecken (German Nut Corners)

Nussecken or Nut Corners are a famous German Christmas time treat made from a buttery shortbread base, topped with apricot jam and a layer of caramelized hazelnut.

After baking, they are sliced into triangles, and the corners are dipped in delicious dark chocolate. Let me tell you, they are completely irresistible!

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German Braided Walnut Loaf – Nusszopf

A Nusszopf (literally 'Nut Braid') is a sweet braided bread and a classic German recipe. It is made from a light and fluffy sweet yeast dough or Hefeteig filled with sweetened nuts, which is rolled and then plaited or braided into a loaf. So delicious!

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Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies

With perfect spirals of chocolate and vanilla, my melt-in-the-mouth Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies are as good to look at as they are to eat.

Made from crumbly, buttery shortbread they make a perfect and beautiful Christmas gift, though they are delicious any time of year!

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