How to Save Money Baking Christmas Cookies at Home — Plus 20 Beloved Holiday Recipes
There’s something magical about this season…
The smell of cinnamon, fresh gingerbread, buttery shortbread and warm vanilla drifting through the house.
As a child, I loved this time of year.
I would come home from school, and the whole kitchen smelled like freshly baked cookies. Even now, that scent gives me a feeling of warmth, safety, and Christmas joy. ✨
But let’s be honest — all those festive treats from the store can add up quickly.
Lebkuchen, cinnamon stars, vanilla kipferl… they’re delicious, but buying everything ready-made isn’t cheap. And many packaged cookies are full of additives, preservatives and artificial flavors — not exactly something I want to give to my family.
👉 That’s why I started baking my own Christmas cookies again.
It’s cheaper, healthier, fun with kids — and it fills the house with that beautiful festive smell.
And the best part? You only need a few ingredients and a little time to create real homemade magic.
For perfectly shaped cookies, I use simple Christmas cookie cutters like these or this adorable set.
💰 Why Baking Cookies at Home Saves Money
| Store-Bought | Homemade |
|---|---|
| ~€20 for a few boxes of mixed cookies | ~€6–8 for a big homemade batch |
| Lots of sugar, additives & preservatives | Fresh, natural ingredients |
| Limited flavors | Endless variety |
| Single-use packaging | Zero waste + reusable tins |
✔️ You can save 50–70% compared to buying ready-made cookies.
✔️ You control what goes into them — no artificial junk.
✔️ Baking together with kids becomes a family tradition.
🧁 20 Popular & Beloved Christmas Cookie Recipes
1. Vanillekipferl (Vanilla Crescent Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 280 g flour
- 100 g ground almonds
- 80 g sugar
- 200 g cold butter
- 1 packet vanilla sugar
Instructions:
- Mix flour, almonds, sugar and vanilla sugar.
- Add butter in small pieces and knead into dough.
- Chill for 30 min.
- Shape small crescents and bake at 175 °C for 10–12 min.
- Roll warm cookies in vanilla sugar.
2. Zimtsterne (Cinnamon Stars)
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 250 g powdered sugar
- 300 g ground almonds
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
- Beat egg whites stiff, fold in sugar.
- Reserve some for glazing.
- Mix almonds & cinnamon, knead into dough.
- Roll out, cut stars, glaze with egg white.
- Bake at 150 °C for 10–12 min.
3. Butterplätzchen (Classic Butter Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 125 g sugar
- 125 g butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients into smooth dough.
- Chill for 30 min.
- Roll out & cut out shapes using Christmas cookie cutters.
- Bake at 180 °C for 8–10 min.
- Decorate with sugar glaze or chocolate.
4. Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread)
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 125 g sugar
- 100 g honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon, ginger, clove
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions:
- Warm honey & sugar gently, let cool.
- Mix with egg and dry ingredients.
- Roll out dough, cut shapes.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10–12 min.
- Glaze with icing sugar or chocolate.
5. Mürbeteigplätzchen (Shortbread Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 125 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- 1 egg
- pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Knead everything into a smooth dough.
- Chill for 1 hour.
- Roll out & cut shapes with cookie cutters.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10 min.
6. Spitzbuben (Jam-Filled Sandwich Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 300 g flour
- 200 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- 1 egg
- Raspberry jam
Instructions:
- Make shortcrust dough, chill.
- Cut out round shapes, half with a hole.
- Bake 180 °C, 8–10 min.
- Spread jam, sandwich together.
7. Kokosmakronen (Coconut Macaroons)
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 150 g sugar
- 200 g desiccated coconut
Instructions:
- Beat egg whites stiff, add sugar gradually.
- Fold in coconut.
- Shape small mounds with spoons.
- Bake at 160 °C for 15 min.
8. Schokoplätzchen (Chocolate Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 200 g flour
- 100 g butter
- 80 g sugar
- 50 g cocoa powder
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- Mix ingredients into dough.
- Roll out or shape balls.
- Bake at 175 °C for 10–12 min.
9. Pfeffernüsse
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 150 g sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp gingerbread spice
- 100 g honey
- 2 eggs
Instructions:
- Warm honey and mix with eggs and sugar.
- Add dry ingredients, knead dough.
- Shape balls, bake at 180 °C for 12 min.
- Glaze with powdered sugar icing.
10. Florentiner
Ingredients:
- 150 g sliced almonds
- 100 g sugar
- 100 g cream
- 50 g honey
- Chocolate for coating
Instructions:
- Heat sugar, cream, honey. Add almonds.
- Spread on baking sheet.
- Bake at 180 °C until golden.
- Cut into pieces, dip in chocolate.
11. Nussecken (Nut Corners)
Ingredients:
- 300 g flour
- 200 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- Hazelnuts, jam, chocolate
Instructions:
- Make shortcrust dough, spread jam on top.
- Add nut topping, bake 25 min.
- Cut into triangles, dip corners in chocolate.
12. Haferplätzchen (Oat Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 200 g oats
- 100 g butter
- 80 g sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients, form small cookies.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10–12 min.
13. Vanille-Zimt-Kekse (Vanilla-Cinnamon Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 120 g butter
- 80 g sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Make dough, chill.
- Roll out & cut.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10 min.
14. Marzipankekse (Marzipan Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 200 g marzipan
- 1 egg white
- 50 g sugar
- Almond flakes
Instructions:
- Knead marzipan, egg white, sugar.
- Shape balls, top with almond.
- Bake at 160 °C for 12–15 min.
15. Haferflockenkekse (Oatmeal Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 200 g oats
- 100 g butter
- 80 g sugar
- 1 egg
- Optional: chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Mix everything, scoop onto tray.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10–12 min.
16. Nusskipferl (Nut Crescents)
Ingredients:
- 200 g flour
- 150 g ground nuts
- 100 g butter
- 80 g sugar
Instructions:
- Knead dough, form crescents.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10–12 min.
- Dust with powdered sugar.
17. Orangenkekse (Orange Cookies)
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 120 g butter
- 80 g sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions:
- Make dough, chill.
- Roll out & cut.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10 min.
18. Honigkuchen (Honey Cake)
Ingredients:
- 300 g flour
- 150 g honey
- 100 g sugar
- 1 egg
- Baking powder & spices
Instructions:
- Warm honey & sugar. Mix with rest.
- Bake at 175 °C for 25–30 min.
19. Apfel-Zimt-Kuchen (Apple Cinnamon Cake)
Ingredients:
- 3 apples
- 200 g flour
- 150 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Mix batter, fold in apples.
- Bake at 180 °C for 30–40 min.
20. Spekulatius
Ingredients:
- 250 g flour
- 125 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- 1 tsp speculoos spice
Instructions:
- Knead dough, chill.
- Roll out & cut.
- Bake at 180 °C for 10 min.
🎄 Extra Tips to Save Money When Baking
- Buy basic ingredients in bulk (flour, sugar, butter).
- Get baking spices early — they’re cheaper before the holiday rush.
- Invest once in good cookie cutters or this set — reusable for years.
- Store cookies in airtight containers to keep them fresh for weeks.
- Bake together as a family instead of buying snacks outside.
🕯️ Final Thoughts
I’ll never forget how it felt to walk into our warm kitchen as a child and smell cinnamon, vanilla and gingerbread in the air.
That cozy scent is Christmas to me.
You don’t need to buy everything pre-packaged to have that feeling.
Homemade cookies are cheaper, healthier — and they bring families together.
✨ Start your own tradition this year:
Bake together, save money, and fill your home with the scent of Christmas.
👉 For cute and practical Christmas cookie cutters like these or this set, check out my favorites.
Affiliate Disclosure
This blog contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I truly love and believe bring value to my readers.
Your support through these links helps me keep this blog running and allows me to continue sharing free tips, guides, and resources. Thank you for supporting my work!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
