Christmas cookie which is specially prepared for the occassion of Christmas is basically a hard-baked cookie containing a lot of sugar in it. These easy Christmas cookies often are cut into a number of shapes themed on the occasion. As a result, Christmas cookies for kids are often shaped as stars, Christmas trees, Santas and other knick-knacks that are associated with the festival celebrated all across the world. Apart from the very basic ingredient of sugar and flour a number of toppings and stuffings like nuts, chocolate chips and even the bitter tasting rye and ginger are often used when baking the Christmas cookies as per family Christmas cookie recipes. While every Christian family has a traditional recipe of Christmas cookies, it has become more commonplace for people to opt for store bought Christmas cookies as expenditure of time and energy in their preparation is not required.
History
The history of Christmas cookie can be traced back to the Europe or Middle Ages when it did not come in fancy shapes and looked like a hard, sugared biscuit. Many modern ingredients like the black pepper, ginger, nutmeg powder and cinnamon gradually begun to be introduced into the Christmas cookie recipes once the Western sailors succeeded in scouring the Oriental lands in search of spices. Bits of apple strips, almonds as well as other dried fruits were stuffed into the basic dough of the easy Christmas cookies just before baking resulting in the delicious mouthwatering Christmas cookies for kids. By the 16th century, most of Europe had mastered the art of making easy Christmas cookies with the lebkuchen from Germany rapidly gaining ground in popularity all across Rhineland.
The next century saw the Dutch introducing the Christmas cookies in the United States of America. Various cutters for preparing the easy Christmas cookies flooded the American market during the late nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth prompted a sprout of creative Christmas cookies for kids. The Christmas cookie recipes soon started recommending the use of these utensils for preparing easy Christmas cookies.
The tradition of keeping milk and Christmas cookies for Santa Claus in the USA is particularly endearing although it is obvious that the Christmas cookies for kids cut in artistic shapes are eaten by the family members themselves as the temptation of cleaning up the entire jar filled with delicious Christmas cookies proves to be too great to resist.
The Significance
Most countries have their unique way of celebrating Christmas around the world. The Christmas cookie is a general fixture though. The Christmas cookies differ from country to country and culture to culture. The local tastes rule and they are reflected in the Christmas cookie recipes as well.
White Christmas- This Australian delight can be termed as easy Christmas cookies and looks similar to a dressed up version of the Rice crispies. Colored candies, a fine powder of sugar and raisins together with coconut bits make it one of the most delectable Christmas cookies for kids in the country.
Alsatian Christmas cookies- This cake like biscuit from France is actually one of the various Christmas cookies eaten in the country. It is made by rolling out and cutting the dough in a variety of shapes. A little icing sugar atop of this aromatic easy Christmas cookie sets the mood for celebrations instantly.
Georgia lizzies- More of a cake than Christmas cookies, this delicious dessert is quite similar to a rich fruit cake. These Christmas cookies are stuffed with dried fruits and there are a lot of candied ones along with brandy. . Christmas cookies for kids cannot go beyond this and the adults seem to enjoy it as well as their children.
Popular Recipes
While the Christmas cookie is enjoyed all over the world, every country swears by its own creation. However, there are some easy Christmas cookies which are savored all across the world and remain a firm favorite no matter what. Some of the most popular ones chosen time and again from the various Christmas cookie recipes are Gingerbread, Fattigmann, Krumkake, Pepparkakor, Pfeffernüsse, Reposteria, Springerle and Sugar Cookies.
Trivia
• The Animal Crackers manufactured by Nabisco following a special Christmas cookie recipes in 1902 was initially sold seasonally. The colored boxes that were used for packing the Christmas cookies were recommended as Christmas tree decorations.
• The Wellesley Cookie Exchange started its operations in 1971 and is considered to be a fun way of relieving stress during the festive time.
• The very first Christmas cookie for kids arrived in the form of lebkuchen or Gingerbread in Germany
• Christmas cookie recipes for the Swedish wishing cookie are extremely popular as they are believed to make a wish come true if they get to be broken into three distinct pieces when crumbled. The broken pieces need to be eaten silently in order to make your dreams come true goes the popular belief.