The festive season brings a rush of holiday orders and demands as businesses prepare to meet customers’ requests for seasonal products. And nothing captures the spirit of Christmas like freshly baked cookies. Offering various high-quality, festive cookies can set bakeries and cafes apart and leave a lasting impression on customers.
This guide will explore Maxima’s favourite Christmas cookie recipes and inspire you to deliver exceptional festive flavours and textures.
1. Classic Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a staple during the holiday season. Their warm spices and irresistible aroma appeal to people of all ages. Perfectly shaped and decorated gingerbread cookies are popular in cafes, bakeries and as gifts.
Ingredients:
- 350g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 120g molasses
- Royal icing for decoration
Directions:
- Mix the dough: Sift the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt.
- In a cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses and continue mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry and wet ingredients, mixing slowly until dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Roll out the dough to about 0.5 cm thick and use cookie cutters to shape.
- Bake at 175°C for 8-10 minutes. Let cool before decorating with royal icing.
Tip: Use a to roll out large quantities of dough to a uniform thickness. This is essential for consistent shapes and bake times.
2. Vanilla Crescent Cookies (Vanillekipferl)
Vanillekipferl or vanilla crescent cookies, are delicate, buttery and soft cookies. They are traditional in many European countries and are often dusted with powdered sugar for an extra festive touch.
Ingredients:
- 250g all-purpose flour
- 200g cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 100g powdered sugar
- 100g ground almonds or hazelnuts
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Directions:
- In a briefly mix the flour, butter, powdered sugar, ground nuts and vanilla extract until the dough comes together.
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Roll portions of dough into small crescent shapes.
- Bake at 175°C for 10-12 minutes until light golden.
- Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar.
3. Linzer Cookies
Linzer cookies, made with ground almonds and filled with jam, are festive and visually appealing with their cut-out tops and fruity centres. These cookies are perfect for high-end cafes and bakeries looking to offer a refined Christmas treat.
Ingredients:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 300g all-purpose flour
- 100g ground almonds
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Raspberry jam (for filling)
Directions:
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add vanilla extract.
- Whisk together flour, ground almonds and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed butter mixture until well combined.
- Roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to 1/4-inch thickness and chill for 30 minutes.
- Use a round cookie cutter to cut the base cookies, then use a smaller cutter to cut windows in half of the rounds.
- Bake at 175°C for 10-12 minutes, then let cool. Spread jam on the rounds and place the cut-out round on top.
4. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate crinkle cookies have a rich, fudgy interior and a crackled, powdered sugar coating that makes them visually appealing and indulgent. They are a customer favourite, especially among chocolate lovers.
Ingredients:
- 200g granulated sugar
- 100g vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 60g cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
Directions:
- Prepare the dough: Mix sugar and oil, then add the eggs and vanilla.
- Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt into a separate bowl. Gradually add them to the wet ingredients, mixing until well combined.
- Chill the dough for at least 4 hours.
- Roll the dough into balls, then coat in powdered sugar.
- Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes.
Tip: Ensure you have a refrigerator big enough to store and chill large batches of dough. Maxima sells in various sizes and with glass doors so you can easily see your products.
5. Pfeffernüsse (Spiced German Cookies)
These small, spiced cookies are a traditional German treat. They are flavoured with warming spices and dusted with powdered sugar. They have a unique, slightly chewy texture that customers enjoy during the colder months.
Ingredients:
- 100g honey
- 100g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 250g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Powdered sugar (for coating)
Directions:
- Combine honey and sugar in a saucepan and heat until sugar dissolves. Cool slightly, then add the egg.
- Mix the flour, baking soda and spices in a mixer. Gradually add the honey mixture to the dry ingredients.
- Shape the dough into small balls and bake at 175°C for 12-15 minutes. Once cool, roll in powdered sugar.
6. Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies, traditionally made with a cookie press, have a light buttery texture. Their versatility allows you to shape them into festive designs like Christmas trees or snowflakes, perfect for holiday-themed gift boxes.
Ingredients:
- 225g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 300g all-purpose flour
- Optional: coloured sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Directions:
- Cream the ingredients: In a stand mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour until well mixed. Press the dough into the desired festive disc shapes in a cookie press.
- Press cookies onto a baking sheet and bake at 175°C for 8-10 minutes. If desired, decorate with coloured sugar before baking.
Tip: Maxima’s are suitable for baking large batches of cookies at once. We recommend this for perfectly baked cookies.
–
Offering a selection of expertly made Christmas cookies can create a memorable holiday experience for your customers and keep them returning for more. With these traditional recipes and the right equipment, you can streamline your holiday baking and produce consistently high-quality treats.
This festive season, let Maxima help you spread holiday cheer with ease, flavour and quality.
–
Want more holiday inspiration? Read Maxima’s blogs for festive tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the peak season!