The Sweet History Christmas Cookies

It’s the holiday season, which means it’s the time of the year for bakers to start churning out Christmas cookies! In The Trouble with Tinsel, one of my standalone holiday books, main character Mandy’s family runs a combination candy shop and bakery, and right about now they are inundated with cookie orders to fill.

So, where did the tradition of making (and eating!) Christmas cookies get its start?

The origin of the Christmas cookie has been traced back to Medieval Europe, when soldiers brought back from the Crusades things such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and dried fruits. They were considered so valuable that they were saved for the most important holidays. By the 16th century, Christmas cookies had become a popular part of the holiday, especially since, unlike things like cakes, they were easy to share with friends and neighbors.

The 17th century saw Christmas cookie traditions reaching the United States, courtesy of the Dutch. Just like in Medieval Europe, at the time things such as spices were in short supply and other components could be pricey. The ingredients eventually became more widely available, and in the late 19th/early 20th century, import laws were relaxed, allowing for the importation of inexpensive cooking utensils like cookie cutters. This, in turn, sparked an increase in cookbooks that utilized all of these fun new things. And you could say the rest is sweet history!

Do you love to make Christmas cookies? Do you just love to eat them? Do you have a favorite that always makes your holiday complete? Or one that brings back holiday memories?

Whatever treats you might be making or enjoying, I hope that you have a sweet holiday season!