Christmas Cookies: A Holiday Tradition

Christmas Cookies: A Holiday Tradition

Paul Coburn, Writer

When the holiday season comes around each year, millions of people search through their recipe books or online to find cookie recipes that they want to bake. Over the years, certain recipes have gained more popularity than others. These common cookies include gingerbread men, thumbprint cookies, sugar cookies, and shortbread cookies.

Perhaps the most popular cookie during this time of year are gingerbread men, the edible men that go along with the well-known gingerbread house. After making the cookies, you can also decorate them however you like, adding to the pleasure of baking them. Most people decorate them according to the holiday season, contributing to the festivities.

These cookies are based on the fairytale of a gingerbread man that comes to life after being baked. He then runs out of the house screaming “don’t eat me!” The story ends with a clever fox outsmarting the cookie, ultimately eating him.

Another widespread recipe for a Christmas cookie are thumbprint cookies. A main reason why these cookies are so popular is because you can add various ingredients in the middle, such as jelly, jam, or chocolate. These treats originated in Sweden and were originally called “hallongrotta.” Other current names include sunny thumbprint cookies, birds nest cookies, butter ball, or polish tea cake.

This cookie got its name because of the way you make it. Before adding the  ingredient of your choice, you must press down on the center with your thumb, creating a thumbprint. This recipe is simple, yet has many variations, making it a great option during Christmas.

Even though these cookies are widespread throughout the entire year, sugar cookies remain a constant favorite during the holidays. Similar to the other cookies mentioned, sugar cookies are also versatile because you can decorate them and bake different versions of them. The creation of the sugar cookie was by Protestant settlers in the Nazareth colony of Pennsylvania sometime in the 1700’s. Since it is one of the most popular cookie recipes, sugar cookies are almost always left out on Christmas Eve by little kids for Santa to eat.

Shortbread cookies have been around for as long as any other cookie. Along with the other cookies mentioned, shortbread cookies can be made in multiple ways with multiple decorations on top. They can also be made into numerous shapes and sizes that portray the holidays. Common toppings are sprinkles, icing, chocolate, and more. Just like the thumbprint cookies, shortbread cookies were originally made in Sweden, often made as round biscuits.

Each and every year, a popular holiday tradition will always be baking cookies by yourself, with your family, or with friends.