Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas Treats

Over the weekend I receive a bag filled with Christmas cookies and have been enjoying them and of course feeling a littel guilty that I didn't make any myself.


Like many traditions, the origins of the Christmas cookie giving dates back to Medieval times when spices where introduced in Europe from the Far East and later the New World.


The first Christmas cookies per sé come from northern Europe like the lebkuchen in Germany, pepparkakor in Sweden, and the krumkake in Norway. Today, you can find variations to this traditional recipes in many book and specialty store.


In the US the tradition grew when the Dutch arrived bringing with them not just their traditions, but also their utensils that included cookie cutters. These cutters where in the shape of elaborate shape allusive to Christmas and then the cookies were used to decorate the trees.


Today, there are many books and website dedicated to Christmas cookies and many of them relat the traditions and origins about that cookie in particular. If you have any recipe or tradition, I'd love to hear from you and I'm sure everyone else... 

Have a great day!
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16 comments:

  1. Chicago Chic December 18, 2012 at 11:58 AM

    I love Christmas cookies! The first ones here are soooo pretty!

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  2. awhiteDecember 18, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    Love the cookie origins!

    I feel a bit guilty because I haven't done any holiday baking myself- at least not yet. Maybe this weekend? Or maybe I'll just make mulled wine... Equally yummy, haha. :)

    -Ashley
    http://lerougestylo.blog.com

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  3. Carole Poirot December 18, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    It's so lovely to receive gifts like that - gifts which require a little more effort than going online and ordering something. I've been making lots of food gifts for friends and relatives and hope they'll appreciate them :-) Have a lovely evening xo

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  4. SamDecember 18, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    I always appreciate your history behind things, I find I leaner something new each time I visit your blog!

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  5. Tiffany KadaniDecember 18, 2012 at 2:20 PM

    A wonderful cookie post! I so want to make pretty ones like these. I just might. MIGHT.

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  6. tinajoDecember 18, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    I love pretty cookies! :-)

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  7. EricaDecember 18, 2012 at 3:03 PM

    I love giving cookies for Christmas. I never knew there was such a history behind cookie giving. :)

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  8. FASHION TALESDecember 18, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    I love how ancient some traditions are ... Christmas is one of my favourite times because of it, espeically with my family's cultures. Have a wonderful week.

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  9. A Crimson KissDecember 18, 2012 at 5:01 PM

    My mom and I usually make macaroons on Christmas eve–those late night coconut disasters are some of my favorite holiday memories!

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  10. AnonymousDecember 18, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    Yummmmm I had a few Xmas cookies and some macaroons today. I can already tell I need to step up my workouts. These all look delicious by the way!! xo

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  11. AnonymousDecember 18, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    Yummmmm I had a few Xmas cookies and some macaroons today. I can already tell I need to step up my workouts. These all look delicious by the way!! xo

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  12. Fashion-ishaDecember 18, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    these cookies are beautiful, I love the creativity!
    xo
    Sharon

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  13. roothDecember 19, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Oh I've been baking (and eating) way too many of these. Good thing bikini season is 5 months away!

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  14. honey my heartDecember 19, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    mmm, i think some gingerbread baking is in my future :)

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  15. JohannaDecember 20, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    oh I love that last image - I wish I could make woodland cookies that looked like that!

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  16. CocoDecember 20, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    Cookies are always a lovely gift for Christmas! I'm you newest follower honey, I would love if you checked out my blog too and follow if you like! Let's keep in touch! Kisses Coco

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