A Taste of Christmas from Germany (Straight from My Mom’s Kitchen) ✨

This week’s Flavor of the Week comes straight from my childhood — and from my mom’s kitchen.

Right now, I’m in Germany visiting my mom and the rest of my family, and if you’ve ever experienced Christmas here, you know how special it is. The Christmas markets are glowing, the air smells like Glühwein, bratwurst, roasted nuts, and baked goods everywhere you turn. It’s cozy, festive, and full of tradition.

One tradition that never changes in my family? Christmas cookies. And lots of them.

We don’t bake just one kind. Oh no. We bake all the kinds. My mom had already baked a big batch before I arrived, and once I got here, we baked seven more varieties together. When all was said and done, she had tins filled with 19 different types of cookies.

Those cookies then get packed into little bags — one for every family member, and plenty for friends too. It’s our way of sharing Christmas.

So I thought this week I’d share one of the cookies I grew up with. It’s incredibly simple, doesn’t look like much at first glance… but tastes absolutely divine.

Meet Friesenkekse.

Friesenkekse – A Simple German Christmas Cookie

This is not a fancy cookie. No icing, no shaping, no fuss. But don’t let that fool you — these cookies are buttery, lightly sweet, and completely addictive.

Now, if you’ve followed me for a while, you know I usually cook recipe-free. Baking, however, is a different story. Baking is science. You do need to follow the measurements so everything turns out just right.

What You’ll Need (U.S. Measurements)

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (approx. 17.5 oz)

• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold (approx. 8.8 oz)

• ¾ cup fine sugar (superfine if you have it; regular sugar works too)

• 2 large eggs

• Pearl sugar (this is what we call Hagelzucker in Germany — crunchy little sugar pearls)

• A few drops of vanilla extract

  
  

How It’s Gonna Go Down

1. Add the flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla to a bowl.

2. Knead everything together quickly until it forms a smooth dough. (Don’t overwork it.)

3. Shape the dough into a log about 1½ inches thick.

4. Roll the log generously in pearl sugar so it sticks to the outside.

5. Wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

7. Slice the chilled dough into thin rounds (about ¼ inch thick).

8. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes.

👉 Important:They should stay light in color, not brown. That’s how you know they’re perfect.

Let them cool… if you can wait 😉 and enjoy.

A Little Bite of Home

Every time I eat these cookies, I’m right back in my mom’s kitchen — flour on the counter, tins everywhere, and Christmas music playing in the background. They may be simple, but they carry a lot of love and memories.

If you’re looking for an easy, no-fuss Christmas cookie that still feels special, give these a try. And if you do, think of them as a little bite of a German Christmas — shared from my family to yours.

Frohe Weihnachten & happy baking 🤍

With flavor love,

Kerstin