Germany’s Favourite Christmas Biscuits 🍪🇩🇪

Die beliebtesten Weihnachtsplätzchen und ihre Geschichte

The smell of butter, vanilla, and cinnamon drifting from German kitchens in December can only mean one thing — it’s Plätzchenzeit! Baking and sharing Christmas biscuits (Weihnachtsplätzchen or Weihnachtskekse) is one of Germany’s most beloved holiday traditions.

Every family has its own recipes passed down through generations, and each region has a few special favourites. From Zimtsterne to Vanillekipferl, these sweet treats are part of what makes the Adventszeit so magical.

In this post, we’ll explore Germany’s ten most popular Christmas biscuits, their origins, and the vocabulary you need to talk about them in German.

🍭 1. Zimtsterne – Cinnamon Stars

German	English
der Zimtstern	cinnamon star biscuit

Made with ground almonds, icing sugar, and a generous dose of cinnamon (der Zimt), Zimtsterne are a symbol of Christmas in southern Germany. Their glossy white glaze and star shape make them instantly recognisable.

Example sentence:

• Zimtsterne duften wunderbar nach Weihnachten. – Cinnamon stars smell wonderfully of Christmas.

Language tip: The ending -stern means “star” — a common motif in Christmas vocabulary.

🌙 2. Vanillekipferl – Vanilla Crescents

German	English
der Vanillekipferl	vanilla crescent

Originally from Vienna, Vanillekipferl are crescent-shaped biscuits made with ground almonds or hazelnuts and coated in vanilla sugar. They melt in your mouth and pair perfectly with coffee or tea.

Example sentence:

• Vanillekipferl sind typisch für die österreichisch-bayerische Weihnachtsküche.– Vanilla crescents are typical of Austrian-Bavarian Christmas baking.

Cultural note: In Austria and southern Germany, families make Vanillezucker (vanilla sugar) by storing vanilla pods in jars of sugar weeks before baking.

⭐ 3. Butterplätzchen – Butter Biscuits

German	English
das Butterplätzchen	butter biscuit

Simple yet irresistible, Butterplätzchen are rolled, cut-out biscuits decorated with coloured icing or sprinkles (Streusel). Children love making them during Advent.

Example sentence:

• Kinder stechen bunte Butterplätzchen mit Förmchen aus.– Children cut colourful butter biscuits with cookie cutters.

Language tip: ausstechen = to cut out (using a cutter).

🍫 4. Schokoladenplätzchen – Chocolate Biscuits

German	English
das Schokoladenplätzchen	chocolate biscuit

For chocoholics, Schokoladenplätzchen are a must. Some versions include cocoa in the dough, others are dipped in melted chocolate (Schokolade schmelzen = to melt chocolate).

Example sentence:

• Ich tauche die Plätzchen halb in geschmolzene Schokolade.– I dip the biscuits halfway into melted chocolate.

🌰 5. Haselnussmakronen – Hazelnut Macaroons

German	English
die Haselnussmakrone	hazelnut macaroon

These chewy biscuits use whisked egg whites (das Eiweiß) and ground hazelnuts. Light and gluten-free, they’re baked on small wafers called Oblaten.

Example sentence:

• Haselnussmakronen bestehen aus Eiweiß, Zucker und gemahlenen Nüssen.– Hazelnut macaroons are made of egg whites, sugar, and ground nuts.

🥜 6. Nussplätzchen – Nut Biscuits

German	English
das Nussplätzchen	nut biscuit

Every household has its own Nussplätzchen recipe — some with walnuts, others with almonds or hazelnuts. They’re crunchy, nutty, and full of festive flavour.

Example sentence:

• Nussplätzchen sind schnell gemacht und sehr aromatisch.– Nut biscuits are quick to make and very aromatic.

🍯 7. Lebkuchen – German Gingerbread

German	English
der Lebkuchen	gingerbread biscuit

Nuremberg’s Lebkuchen is world-famous. It’s spiced with honey, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg — softer and chewier than British gingerbread.

Example sentence:

• Nürnberger Lebkuchen sind eine geschützte Spezialität.– Nuremberg gingerbread is a protected speciality.

Learn more about Lebkuchen and other festive sweets in our post on Christmas foods and dishes in German-speaking countries.

🍊 8. Spekulatius – Spiced Biscuits

German	English
der Spekulatius	spiced biscuit

Thin, crisp, and delicately embossed with festive designs, Spekulatius are popular in Germany’s west and along the Rhine. The dough is flavoured with cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.

Example sentence:

• Spekulatius werden traditionell in Holzformen gebacken.– Spiced biscuits are traditionally baked in wooden moulds.

Etymology: The name Spekulatius probably derives from speculator — Latin for bishop, referring to St Nicholas.

🌟 9. Spritzgebäck – Piped Butter Biscuits

German	English
das Spritzgebäck	piped butter biscuit

A German classic made by piping soft dough into S-shaped or ring patterns, then dipping the ends in chocolate. The name comes from spritzen (to pipe).

Example sentence:

• Oma backt jedes Jahr Spritzgebäck mit Schokolade.– Grandma bakes piped butter biscuits with chocolate every year.

🥥 10. Kokosmakronen – Coconut Macaroons

German	English
die Kokosmakrone	coconut macaroon

Moist and sweet, Kokosmakronen are quick to make — just egg whites, sugar, and coconut flakes. Often topped with a dab of chocolate.

Example sentence:

• Kokosmakronen sind außen knusprig und innen weich.– Coconut macaroons are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

🍪 German Baking Vocabulary

German	English
das Plätzchen / der Keks	biscuit / cookie
backen	to bake
der Teig	dough
die Zutaten	ingredients
der Ofen	oven
das Backblech	baking tray
das Nudelholz	rolling pin
das Ausstechförmchen	cookie cutter
die Glasur	icing
der Zuckerguss	sugar glaze

Example sentence:

• Wir rollen den Teig aus und stechen Sterne aus. – We roll out the dough and cut out stars.

🡒 For more baking terms, check out our post on German names for 50 common baking terms.

🎓 Learn German Through Baking and Culture

Baking Weihnachtsplätzchen isn’t just delicious — it’s a wonderful way to learn German vocabulary, grammar, and culture hands-on. Reading recipes teaches you the imperative (rühren, kneten, backen!), and sharing biscuits gives you the perfect excuse to practise small talk in German.

To continue your learning journey, join Olesen Tuition, the top-rated German language school in London, offering:

• German classes in London – small, interactive groups

• Online German lessons – personalised tuition from anywhere

• Intensive German courses – ideal for fast progress or exam prep

• And explore over 600 expert posts on grammar, vocabulary, and culture on our German language blog

So preheat your oven, mix your Teig, and discover how learning German can be as sweet as a Vanillekipferl.

Frohe Weihnachten und viel Spaß beim Backen!Merry Christmas and happy baking!