Swedish Christmas Cookies are a festive assortment of traditional Scandinavian treats made during the holiday season. Often infused with warming spices like cardamom and cinnamon or filled with tart jams, these cookies are buttery, delicate, and perfect for gifting, sharing, or pairing with a cup of coffee or glögg.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Authentic holiday flavor – filled with cozy spices and nostalgic aromas
- Perfect for baking with family – simple, hands-on recipes kids can help with
- Ideal for holiday cookie trays and gifts
- Versatile doughs and fillings – from jam to spice to nuts
- Can be made ahead and frozen for stress-free entertaining
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Egg yolks
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cardamom or cinnamon (optional for spiced cookies)
- Baking powder
- Raspberry jam or other fruit preserves (for thumbprint cookies)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting or icing, optional)
- Sliced almonds (optional for decoration)
Directions
- Make the Dough
Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually mix in flour, baking powder, and spices if using, until a soft dough forms. - Chill
Divide the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. - Shape the Cookies
For thumbprints: roll dough into small balls and press your thumb into the center. Fill with jam.
For cut-outs: roll out the dough and cut into festive shapes.
For spiced cookies: roll into balls and flatten or shape into crescents or logs. - Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are just golden. - Cool and Decorate
Let cookies cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with icing if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: About 30–36 cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Bake Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Variations
- Hallongrottor (Raspberry Thumbprints): Classic Swedish jam-filled cookies
- Pepparkakor: Thin, spiced ginger cookies shaped like hearts or stars
- Spritzkakor: Pressed cookies with almond or vanilla flavoring
- Drömmar (Swedish Dream Cookies): Light and crumbly with a hint of vanilla
- Bondkakor: Swedish farmer’s cookies with chopped almonds and brown sugar
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature
- Make-ahead: Dough can be chilled for up to 3 days or frozen for later use
FAQs
What’s the most traditional Swedish Christmas cookie?
Pepparkakor (ginger snaps) and Hallongrottor (raspberry thumbprints) are two of the most iconic.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and improves texture.
Can I use different jams?
Yes! Raspberry, lingonberry, apricot, and cherry all work beautifully.
Are these cookies very sweet?
They’re lightly sweetened, perfect for pairing with coffee or tea.
Can I double the batch?
Yes, the recipe easily scales up for larger cookie trays or gifting.
Can kids help with this recipe?
Absolutely—shaping and filling cookies is great for little helpers.
How do I prevent jam from leaking?
Don’t overfill, and be sure the jam is thick—not runny.
Can I ice or decorate these cookies?
Yes! Powdered sugar icing, drizzled chocolate, or festive sprinkles all work.
What should I serve them with?
They’re perfect with glögg (Swedish mulled wine), coffee, or hot chocolate.
Conclusion
Swedish Christmas Cookies are a heartwarming tradition that brings the taste of a Scandinavian holiday into your kitchen. Whether you’re making them for a festive cookie exchange or just to enjoy with family by the fire, their buttery texture and seasonal flavors make them a must-bake during the holidays. Let these charming cookies become a part of your Christmas tradition.
PrintSwedish Christmas Cookies
Swedish Christmas Cookies are delicate, buttery treats often flavored with vanilla, cardamom, or almond, perfect for the holiday season. These traditional cookies are lightly sweetened, beautifully shaped, and often dusted with powdered sugar for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and cardamom if using.
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Roll dough into small balls or shape into crescent or wreath shapes as desired.
- Place on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving or storing.
Notes
- Cardamom gives an authentic Swedish flavor but can be omitted for a more classic vanilla version.
- Cookies can be shaped using a cookie press for traditional Scandinavian designs.
- Store in an airtight container for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg