Christmas is such a great time for baking (and eating!) because there are so many delicious recipes and very good reasons to try them. When you think of Christmas baking, you probably think of these classic flavors: gingerbread, peppermint, and eggnog. Today I write about how these flavors became associated with Christmas and share some recipes for you to try.
Sugar Cookies
Everytime I see beautifully decorated sugar cookies, I think about how much I would like to do that. And then one Christmas I tried and discovered that it is a lot harder than I thought possible. I am not giving up but recognize that it is going to take some YouTube videos and practice before they are close to presentable!
Sugar cookies were first created in Nazareth, Pennsylvania by German Protestant settlersand became known as Nazareth Cookies. Children began making them to leave out for Santa because they were so simple to make.
Sugar Cookie Recipes
Snickerdoodles are essentially the same as sugar cookies except that they are rolled in cinnamon sugar instead of sugar. There is debate about whether they have German or Dutch origins. The consensus, though, is that they make a delicious Christmas cookie:
Gingerbread
The first gingerbread recipe, made in Greece, dates all the way back to 2400 BC! Gingerbread houses, however, did not hit the scene until 16th century Germany when they began to be associated with Christmas. See this post for more on the history of gingerbread.
Gingerbread men originated in the 16th century during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign when she had gingerbread men created to represent foreign dignitaries by her royal gingerbread maker.
Gingerbread Recipes
- Gingerbread Men
- Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
- Gingerbread Pancakes
- Gingerbread Cake
- Gingerbread Cupcakes
- 1 Hour Vegan Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
- Baked Gingerbread Donuts
Another cookie similar to gingerbread are molasses cookies. Its origins are unknown but because of its warm spices, it is a popular cookie choice for the holidays.
Peppermint
Peppermint became an essential Christmas flavor likely as a result of the popular candy cane. Peppermint was first used in candy, according to tradition in Germany in the late 1600s but did not reach the United States until the 19th century. See this article for more on the history of peppermint.
See Related: Why We Celebrate Christmas in December and Other Traditions
Peppermint Recipes
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Hot Chocolate
Did you know that chocolate was a beverage before it was a bar? The consumption of chocolate in liquid form originated in Mexico thousands of years ago, as far back as 1700 BC. It was not originally served hot, nor was it always sweet. The Spanish conquistadors are credited with sweetening it with cinnamon and sugar after bringing it back to Europe with them. It was consumed as a drink until 1827 when a Dutch chemist invented cocoa powder, hence, Dutch cocoa. The first chocolate bar was not created until 1839. See this article for more on the history of hot chocolate.
Did you know that hot chocolate and hot cocoa are not the same? Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder whereas hot chocolate is made from solid chocolate.
Hot chocolate is a popular drink at Christmastime probably because it pairs so well with peppermint, namely, candy canes. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy hot chocolate on a cold, winter day?
Specialty Hot Chocolate Recipes
- Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream Cutouts
- French Hot Chocolate
- 3 Ingredient Vegan Hot Chocolate
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
- S’mores Hot Chocolate
Other Festive Chocolate Desserts
Eggnog
Eggnog dates all the way back to Medieval Britain from a drink known as a “posset.” It wasn’t until the 13th century that eggs were added to this milky drink when monks began adding them (and figs) to it. Since eggs were considered one of the foods associated with wealth, eggnog was used in toasts.
Eggnog came to the United States in the 1700s where eggs were plentiful in the colonies, as was rum, which eventually became one of the main ingredients.
Please see this article for more information about the history of the use of eggnog at Christmas, and for George Washington’s infamous recipe. I personally have no desire for a drink with raw eggs, however, for you eggnog fans, I am including recipes for a homemade version without alcohol and a few eggnog flavored dishes.
Eggnog Recipes
- Non-Alcoholic Homemade Eggnog
- Eggnog Pancakes
- Overnight Eggnog Waffle Casserole
- 1 Bowl Vegan Eggnog Cake with Cream Cheese
What to Do With All of Your Baking
Since no one wants several dozen cookies and sweets sitting around, here are some ideas of what to do with them all:
Create a cookie gift box for your family members or friends. If you don’t want to do something quite so elaborate, you can package them in smaller bundles in cellophane bags tied with ribbon and give them as gifts to your neighbors, mail carrier, or at shelters. Or you can send them as part of a care package to someone in the military or overseas.
Serve a feast for your Christmas breakfast or brunch. Choose one of these three amazing Christmas breakfast recipes to go along with any of the above. I know I will be trying them all!
Christmas Cookies in a Jar. Don’t want to do any baking? Layer all of the ingredients in a mason jar, add a pretty label and a festive bow, and give it as a gift. A teacher friend once gave me this as a gift. It was so pretty I didn’t want to open it to make the cookies! It makes a great gift. 😍 Click here for the recipes and directions.
Which of these recipes do you want to try? Please comment below!
“Then Ezra said to them, ‘Go [your way], eat the rich festival food, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be worried, for the joy of the LORD is your strength and your stronghold.’”
Nehemiah 8:10 AMP
Until next time,
Merry Christmas!
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