5 Christmas Sweets from Around the World to Make Your Holiday Special

Christmas is almost around the corner, and excitement is already in the air. Christmas trees are being set up, homes are filling with lights, and classic Christmas movies are playing on repeat to get us into the holiday spirit.  But the holiday season wouldn’t feel complete without special food, and most importantly, sweets. In every family, you will notice some kind of treat on the table during the Christmas season. They bring people together and raise spirits for this day even more.

The sweets for Christmas vary from country to country, reflecting each culture’s unique traditions. No matter where you end up for this holiday, you will notice a special kind of treat on the tables. Diving into the traditional Christmas treats can be fascinating, in case you’re planning to visit another country for this season or even cook something special yourself. 

In this article, we will discuss 5 Christmas sweets from around the world that will certainly leave you in awe.

1. Struffoli

Struffoli is an Italian Christmas treat that is mostly common in Southern Italy. Originally, they came from Naples, the Campania region, and are connected to the ancient Roman traditions. Because struffoli resemble tiny coins, they’ve long been associated with abundance and fortune. Some Italians even say that eating struffoli at Christmas feels a bit like playing an online casino for real money during the holidays. 

Struffoli are little deep-fried balls of sweet dough. First, these balls are cooked, and then they get covered in warm honey and then topped with colorful sprinkles. The dough needs to be crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Typically, struffoli is meant to be shared, and that’s what makes it a perfect dessert for Christmas gatherings with family and friends.

2. Chocolate Lebkuchen

Chocolate Lebkuchen is a German Christmas gingerbread cookie that has existed since the Middle Ages. Depending on the region, the cookie can be either soft and chewy or somewhat hard and crunchy.

The spices that are used for Chocolate Lebkuchen include cardamom, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg. You will often come across them at Christmas markets in Germany. Like most of the Christmas snacks, these cookies are often paired with milk and always shared with others. 

3. Melomakarona

Melomakarona are Greek Christmas cookies that are specifically made only for this day. These cookies are made with honey syrup and walnuts, which are the ingredients often used in recipes for festive times. For other flavors, orange zest and orange juice are also used along with cinnamon. However, everything is very balanced, just like in most of the candies with nuts.

The cookie has a slightly hard surface, but inside it is soft. Since, in general, honey is associated with prosperity and abundance, it is an important ingredient for Christmas

4. Regañadas

Regañadas are Mexican cookies that are cooked for Christmas, but you might also see them at other traditional events like Día de los Santos. It is mostly made with piloncillo, which is an unrefined cane sugar. Because of this, some people say that regañadas taste almost the same as candy canes, but others argue they are more like cinnamon cookies. This is not exactly a misconception, considering there is also cinnamon flavor in this treat.

Since Regañadas are pretty hard to chew easily, they are either broken into smaller pieces and slowly eaten or just sucked as they are. They also consist of peanuts or seeds, so it is very balanced between sweet and salty flavors.

5. Zimtsterne

Zimtsterne, also called Cinnamon Stars, are traditional Christmas cookies from Germany. They are also very common in Austria and Switzerland. These star-shaped cookies are made of almonds or hazelnuts, egg whites, sugar, and, of course, cinnamon. Cinnamon is the most important ingredient, as it fully defines the taste of cookies.

Zimtsterne cookies are very soft and chewy, similar to some of the candies that come from plants. The fact that these cookies are not made with flour explains their specific texture even better. The shape of the star has the meaning of hope and light, which supposedly guides us to a better path before next Christmas. They are also a symbol of luck and reward.

Bottom Line

Each country celebrates Christmas with its own kind of treats. Considering sweets are an inseparable part of Christmas traditions, they carry history, symbolism, and the feeling of togetherness. That having been said, if you’re spending the holidays abroad or simply want to add something new to your table this year, trying a traditional Christmas sweet from another culture can make the season feel even more special.