These traditional Christmas recipes will have you singing carols by the fire and make you nostalgic for the holidays of yesteryear! Right out of grandma’s recipe box, these old-fashioned Christmas favorites are must-makes during the holiday season. Yes, some of them we love to hate (looking at you fruit cake), but most of them make us nostalgic for spending the holidays in mom and grandma’s kitchen.
Soft Christmas Sugar Cookies
“These cookies are very special to me as my grandmother gave it to me in 1974. She would have been 101 years old this year. Grandma used to give these cookies as Christmas gifts to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.” – Kathy
Gingerbread (Old Recipe)
“My mom loved recipes. I remember her making this recipe only once or twice but I fell in love with it. I knew I loved gingerbread because of this recipe. It was soft, warm, spiced just right, and tasted good with a little butter spread on it, like bread. My mouth is watering!” – Marcia
Dolly’s Chocolate Snowballs
“This recipe was from my mom. I would watch her as a child make these cookies and it was always around the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. They simply melt in your mouth.” – Rosemarie
Christmas Peanut Butter Coconut Cherry Balls
“My mother made these every year for Christmas. She would make them and freeze them thinking they would last until Christmas. FYI – they are great frozen.” – Lynelle
German Linzer Christmas Cookies
“This is my mother-in-law’s German version of Linzer Christmas Cookies. She says they are best filled with currant jelly but it is hard to find. Otherwise, she uses apricot.” – Sheila
Chewy Molasses Cookies
“Soft and chewy, with a good spicy molasses flavor. These cookies are a harbinger of the holidays. Yes, you can make them any time of the year, but to me, they scream Christmas!” – Hope
Ma’s English Plum Pudding
“This recipe has been handed down from my great-grandmother and before.” – Denise
Hungarian Cookie Treasures
“My husband is half Hungarian and I was the lucky recipient of a lot of his family recipes because I liked to bake. This was one that I’ve changed up a bit to make it my own. It is so simple with only six ingredients. No matter what, you can bet they will get rave reviews with their buttery taste.” – Donna
Grandma Lu’s Vanilla Anisette Christmas Cookies
“Growing up in an Italian family, our kitchen was always filled with family, food, and fun. But during the holidays it was simply magical! My favorite cookies were my grandmother’s vanilla anisette which I would help her make every year.” – Nancy
Mommy Sugar’s Pepper Nuts (Pfeffernusse-Pebernodder)
“This is a very old recipe from Germany. These cookies are usually served with coffee or tea and enjoyed mainly at Christmastime.” – Beth
Christmas Fruit Cake
“I am not really sure why fruit cakes have such a bad wrap as this fruit cake was really good. It was nice and moist and full flavour! The cake had a hint of booze without being overwhelmed by it. I think that I will be making a Christmas fruit cake again next year.” – Kevin
Butter Cookies (Swedish)
“These were a staple of holiday cookies in my childhood. My great-grandmother, grandmother, mom, and I would make them together. As the child, I had the job of using a thimble to make the perfect dent to fill with sparkling jellies.” – Wendy
Marion’s Spritz Cookies
“Spritz cookies have a colourful history, come in all shapes, and all of my grandchildren have taken their turns making them, while still in their preschool years.” – Maureen
Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle
“Old-Fashioned Peanut Brittle recipe made by my dad every holiday. This can be made one month ahead of time.” – Shelley
Christmas Cherry Balls
“Another traditional Christmas cookie recipe. They’re good for any time of year, but they are a must on our cookie platter.” – Val
Milk & Sugar Pie
“This recipe is at least 65 years old according to my mom. She remembers her mom making it when she was a little girl, and she is now 74 years old. Mom said it was an economical pie and very rich so it would serve a large family. It is scrumptious.” – Gloria
Italian “S” Cookies
“Melt in your mouth cookie with a light lemon flavor. The recipe can easily be doubled for a cookie exchange.” – Denise
Hertzog Cookies
“These cookies or jam and coconut tartlets are known as Hertzog koekies in South Africa and are part of our traditional recipes. They were named after General J.B.M. Hertzog, prime minister of the South Africa Union in 1924. According to legend, this was one of his wife’s recipes and he loved it so much that she named the cookie after him. I grew up with Hertzog koekies.” – Elsa
Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake
“This was a personal favorite of my dad. He loved this cake.” – Vanessa
Grammy Peg’s Christmas Cookies
“As a child, receiving these cookies from my Grammy Peg was a huge part of our Christmas tradition. Now, my mom, sisters, sister-in-law, nieces, and daughter-in-law all get together and make these delicious cookies every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving.” – Bridget
100 Year Old Pie Crust Recipe – Dee Dee’s
“This recipe is over 100 years old. It is one for the ages. The crust is flaky and flavorful. Delicious for any kind of pie your heart desires.” – Diane
Mama’s White Fruit Cake (Family Favorite)
“This recipe has been in our family for as long as I can remember, at least 55 years or more. The only time we ever got this cake was at Christmastime. It is especially good for those who think they do not like fruit cake. It only has one fruit. I sometimes use red and green cherries, or just one color, plus the nuts. The flavor from the lemon extract is intoxicating. You will love it.” – Rose Mary
Italian Fig Cookies
“In our family, Christmas cookies are kind of a big deal. The famous ones are my grandparent’s Gigi struffoli (I have no clue where Gigi came from but it’s what we call them) and my mom’s seven layers. The cookie is bite-size, soft, and tender. The filling is slightly sweet.” – Angela
Great Grandad’s Eggnog
“It wouldn’t be Christmas without my grandfather’s eggnog. This is not for the faint of heart. Its smooth and creamy deliciousness hides a powerful dose of whiskey!” – Susan