As 2020 winds down with more canceled trips than we’d have hoped in 2020, December brings us a moment to add a bit of joy to our lives. We’ve got trees to trim, gifts to purchase, and, most deliciously, many Christmas cookies to bake. This holiday season, let’s celebrate our love of travel by baking cookies from around the world. Here are eight cookies to add to your bake list that offer a little taste of the world. Whether you’re baking for Santa, a socially distant cookie exchange, virtual holiday party, or for yourself, these cookies will inspire you to break out the baking sheet, parchment paper, and the holiday cheer.
Anzac Biscuits
These Australian oatmeal and coconut cookies (biscuits in the local language) are a perfect treat to box up and send to distant friends and family. This biscuit dates back to World War I, when families at home in Australasia would mail these sturdy treats to their deployed soldiers in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Given this history, these will surely survive a trip through the mail, so pack these in a pretty tin to send some love to those we can’t be with this year.
Recipe: Anzac Biscuits
Pineapple Tarts
Ring in the new year with these pineapple jam filled cookies from Southeast Asia. These pineapple tart cookies are often associated with Chinese New Year and other festive occasions. They are popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. The pineapple jam is spiked with clove, which fuses tropical flavors with a traditional Christmas spice.
Recipe: Pineapple Tarts
Mbatata
Malawi in the southeastern part of Africa is known for its friendly people, so much so it’s nicknamed “The Warm Heart of Africa.” Hailing from this warm hearted land, Mbatata are cake-like cookies made from sweet potato with raisins and cinnamon spice—flavors that lend themselves to the holiday season. Shape these into hearts and take some time to share the cookie love with your friends and family while paying homage to this small African nation.
Recipe: Mbatata
Alfajores
We’re heating up our ovens and heading to South America for alfajores: shortbread sandwich cookies filled, most often, with sweet, creamy dulce de leche. These cookies are popular across South America, but most notably in Argentina and Peru. Give these cookies a festive flair by rolling the sides in coconut or by dipping one half in chocolate. Or to make them twice as nice, opt for both.
Recipe: Alfajores
Basler Brunsli
When visiting Switzerland, your cookies will obviously be spiked with chocolate. Basler Brunsli is a gluten-free cookie (GF, friends, rejoice!) made with cookie dough that incorporates almond flour, chocolate, and warm spices. This Swiss special is wildly popular in its home country. It’s also a cut-out cookie, so it’s a perfect opportunity to pull out your cookie cutters and let the kids go to town making fun shapes.
Recipe: Basler Brunsli
Pfeffernüsse
You almost can’t get more Christmas than these German spice cookies. Pfeffernüsse cookies are heavily spiced with all the flavors you’d expect from piquant gingerbread cookies. Once baked, they are covered in a white sugar glaze to give them the appearance of perfect little snowballs. Make a batch of these and pretend you’re strolling through a German Christmas market.
Recipe: Pfeffernüsse
Millionaire’s Shortbread
This Scottish sweet levels-up plain shortbread with layers of caramel and chocolate. We know for a fact that you can find a bloody good version of millionaire’s shortbread cookies at the Edinburgh Castle, but while we wait for a chance to visit again, we’ll make this bar cookie as a perfect, sweet, and shareable holiday treat.
Recipe: Millionaire’s Shortbread
Nanaimo Bars
Canada’s Vancouver Island is a scenic and magical place that’s home to majestic evergreen forests and shockingly beautiful seascapes. It’s also the origin of the Nanaimo bar, a no-bake bar that combines a coconut and graham cracker crust with vanilla custard and chocolate ganache. Make a batch to share, and then add Vancouver Island to your travel list.
Recipe: Nanaimo Bars
Want more cookies? Check out original cookie recipes from Cook with Kerry.