The holidays are a time of joy and happiness celebrated all over the world. One celebration that is consistent everywhere is baking and sharing cookies. Experience your creative side, and try one of these cookies to share with friends and family during this holiday season.

Spain: Polvorones

The name for these soft, crumbly cookies comes from the Spanish word polvo, which means powder. Traditionally, these cookies are baked around Christmas time in Spain. Generally, they are simple to make because the only main ingredients required are flour, butter, sugar, pecans, and powdered sugar.

Makes about 30 cookies:

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

1/2 cup pecans, grounded or finely chopped

3/4 cup confectioners sugar, plus more to dust

1 egg

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Using a food processor finely chop the pecans.
3. Add the powdered sugar to the processor and mix.
4. Mix the flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
5. Drop in the chunks of butter and the vegetable shortening in teaspoon amounts.
6. Begin to mix with your hands, until the butter and vegetable shortening are mixed in with the flour and salt.
7. Add in the sugar and pecan mixture and work it all in.
8. Crack the egg into the mixture thoroughly combine, using your hands. In less than a minute, the dough should be soft and malleable enough to be turned into a ball. Don’t knead more than necessary, you just want it to come together into a homogeneous mass.
9. Butter a large cookie sheet. One by one, make small balls of dough between 1 and 1 1/2 inches wide. Place them on a baking sheet with about 1 inch in between.
10. Bake them for about 15 to 16 minutes, until they have a golden brown color.
11. Dust extra confectioners sugar over the top of the cookies, eat and serve.

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Italy: Pizzelle

The name for these waffle-like cookies came from the Italian word for round or flat (pizze). These cookies are an Italian staple during the Christmas and Easter holidays or at weddings. The perfect finishing touch to would be a dusting of powdered sugar and some nutella.  However, to make these cookies you will need a pizzelle iron, something easily obtainable at any grocery or chain supply store such as Kohl’s.

Makes about 30 cookies:

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon anise extract

Powdered (confectioners) sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Mix the eggs and sugar with an electric beater until light in color and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Mix in the melted butter and vanilla.
3. Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.
4. Fold in the flour mixture into the batter in two additions.
5. Preheat the Pizzelle iron. Using a spoon, place about a tablespoon of batter close to the center of the pattern.
6. Let it bake for 35 seconds, until golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to transfer the hot Pizzelle to a wire rack to cool completely. Continue with remaining batter until gone.
7. Dust cookies with powdered sugar.

Canada: Nanaimo Bar

The name for this traditional Canadian dessert bar came from where it originated: Nanaimo, British Columbia. It has three layers: first a graham cracker-like crust, then a vanilla custard filling, and finally a chocolate coating. Nanaimo Bars are made year-round in Canada, but they are especially made and shared during Christmastime.

Ingredients and Method:

Bottom Layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg, beaten

1 3/4 cup graham wafer crumbs

1/2 cup finely chopped almonds

1 cup coconut

Melt first 3 ingredients in top of a double boiler. Add egg and stir to cook and thicken Remove from heat. Stir in crumbs, coconut and nuts. Press firmly into an ungreased 8 X 8 pan.

Second Layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 tablespoons and 2 tsp. cream

2 tablespoons vanilla custard powder

2 cups icing sugar

Cream butter, cream, custard powder and icing sugar together well. Beat until light. Spread over bottom layer.

Third Layer:

4 squares semi-sweet chocolate (1 oz. each)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Cool When cool, but still liquid, pour over second layer and chill in refrigerator.

[City of Nanaimo website]

Germany: Vanillekipferl

If you can’t pronounce the name of this traditional German cookie, just refer to them by their shape and flavor: almond crescents. Although the Kipferl originated in Vienna, Austria, these cookies have been baked in Germany for Christmas for many years. If you’re looking for something sweet, these cookies are perfect for you; they have a soft and sweet texture that melts right in your mouth.

Makes about 25-30 cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups plain flour, sieved

2 tablespoons vanilla sugar

1/2 cup ground almonds

1 egg yolk

1 cup soft butter

1 pinch of salt

2 tablespoons powdered sugar to dust the kipferl

Method:

1. Mix the butter, salt, vanilla sugar and egg yolk in a bowl using a hand mixer.
2. Add ground almonds and flour and quickly knead a firm dough.
3. Divide the dough into quarters and form four rolls, each one about 2 to 3cm thick. Cover the rolls with cling wrap and cool them for about an hour.
4. Flour the worktop and cut the rolls into slices (about as thick as a finger) and form little crescents.
5. Put the Vanillekipferl on a greased baking sheet, or a sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake at 320°F in a pre-heated oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
7. Remove the almond crescents carefully with a palette knife.
8. Fill the icing sugar into a small bowl and dust the Kipferl while they are still warm.
9. Let the cookies cool completely on a cooling rack.

[Germany Insider Facts]

America: Sugar Cookies

Who doesn’t love cuddling up by the fireplace with some hot cocoa and friends and eating a classic holiday treat: sugar cookies. Over winter break, spend some times with friends and family baking and frosting, but don’t be afraid to try other cookie recipes from around the world.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup (1 stick) soft butter

3 eggs

1 tsp. almond extract

1/2 tub Pillsbury white frosting

Holiday sprinkles

Method:

1. Blend with fork the butter, eggs and almond extract.
2. Add dry ingredients; mix well.
3. Roll and cut into shapes.
4. Bake at  350°F for 8-10 minutes.
5. Once cool, frost and sprinkle.