7 german cookie recipes

Creamy vanilla cheesecake on a cookie crumb crust, drizzled with melted caramel and German chocolate toppings, then showered with toasted pecans. Every slice is a candy-counter dream come true.

Pfeffernuesse are traditional German Christmas peppernut cookies, fragrant with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and a hint of black pepper, studded with citron and almonds and a touch of brandy. A heritage holiday cookie.

Braune Zucker Platzchen, traditional German brown sugar cookies with cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, raisins, and nuts. Spiced drop cookies that store well in airtight tins.

Hoernchen are German almond crescent cookies made with ground almonds, butter, and vanilla, dipped in colored sugar or sprinkles for a festive holiday cookie.

Soft, spiced German brown sugar cookies loaded with cinnamon, cloves, orange zest, and plump raisins. This old-world drop cookie recipe makes 4 to 5 dozen and fills your kitchen with warmth.

German almond cookies with fresh lemon zest, ground unblanched almonds, and a buttery crumb that shatters at first bite. Overnight chilling builds flavor and makes rolling easy.

Haselnussmakronen, traditional German hazelnut macaroons: a cocoa meringue folded with crushed hazelnuts and lemon zest, baked low into chewy, flourless cookies. A naturally gluten-free holiday treat.