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Traditional German Christmas Food

ByStephanie Wilson Updated on
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From the birthplace of the Christmas Tree, we bring you German Christmas Food ideas to brighten the holidays with tradition, festivity, and heritage.

A festive collage showcasing German Christmas food: a stack of embossed cookies, a golden roasted turkey being served, and a sliced fruitcake with visible nuts and raisins, all topped with icing sugar.

Traditional German Christmas Food

It's said, "The first taste of Christmas arrives when Lebkuchen (gingerbread) and Spekulatius (gingery biscuits) suddenly appear on the supermarket shelves at the beginning of September.”

If you would love to add German Christmas elements to your holidays, we've gathered not only some deliciously authentic German recipes to add to your Christmas celebrations, but given you a flavor of German Christmas traditions.

RELATED: Travel to Europe with Christmas Market Foods to Make at Home

Recipes

1
Roast Goose with Pork, Prune and Chestnut Stuffing
"While author Luke Barr's research shows that Julia Child prepared a roast goose stuffed with pork, prunes and chestnuts for Christmas dinner in 1970, no such exact recipe exists in any of her cookbooks. Inspired by the goose recipes in Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, F&W's Kay Chun perfected this delicious version, which calls for techniques-like basting the goose with boiling water-that Child most likely used as well."
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2
Person holding a roasted whole turkey in a metal roasting pan, using a dish towel for grip-a classic example of German Christmas food.
Crispy Roasted Goose Is a German Christmas Favorite
"Weihnachtsgans or German Christmas goose is the preferred fowl choice, along with duck, for festive occasions. Turkey is rarely seen on holiday dinner tables. Goose, for that matter, is rarely seen anymore, as well, which is a shame because it is so simple to prepare. Like other poultry, onions, thyme, and fruit are great seasoning choices with goose."
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3
Roasted Goose Legs with Sour Cherry Glaze and Gravy
Roasted Goose Legs with Sour Cherry Glaze and Gravy
Instead of cooking a whole goose, F&W editor Melanie Hansche makes Roasted Goose Legs with Sour Cherry Glaze and Gravy a much more manageable endeavor.
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4
A plate of tender meat drizzled with sauce next to steamed broccoli, with a fork resting on the side.
www.tasteofhome.com
Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten
“My family is of German Lutheran descent, and although we enjoy this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is so good and oh-so-easy. It's great served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad.”
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5
Sautéed German Sausages with Bacon and Apple Sauerkraut
Sautéed German Sausages with Bacon and Apple Sauerkraut
In Germany's Pfalz region, cooks braise sauerkraut with onions, apples, seasonings, a touch of sugar and a little of the region's Riesling wine, an accompaniment for juicy weisswurst or bratwurst.
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6
A whole roasted duck with crispy skin is placed in a glass baking dish on a stove. The duck is richly browned, and its legs are visible, resting on the edge of the dish.
www.allrecipes.com
Chef John’s Roast Christmas Goose
“I used half the wings to make a basic reduction sauce and the subtle smokiness worked wonderfully with the red wine, balsamic vinegar, and blackberry notes. The sauce is certainly optional, as this could be served plain with just some cranberry sauce on the side. I hope you're able to give this very easy-to-prepare, gorgeous roast goose a try.”
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7
Authentic German Austrian Spaetzle with Caramelized Onions | 31Daily.com
Authentic German Austrian Spaetzle Recipe
An authentic Austrian-German Spaetzle with Caramelized Onion is an easy to make at home delicious treat you'll find yourself making often.
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8
Three round bread dumplings, a classic German Christmas food, are topped with chopped herbs and arranged on a rectangular plate with dark brown sauce, next to a silver spoon.
Bavarian Bread Dumplings (Semmelknödel) Recipe
"Bavarian home cook Brigitte Drexler's soul-satisfying bread dumplings are great for sopping up the rich gravy from the braised roast."
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9
Traditional Sauerbraten
Traditional Sauerbraten
This sauerbraten is marinated for at least two days for a deeply flavorful roast both tangy and savory. It's easy to see why this is such a classic.
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10
A plate featuring two pieces of rouladen topped with gravy, served alongside mashed potatoes with more gravy and a portion of red cabbage. A fork is seen in the background on the tablecloth.
www.allrecipes.com
Chef John’s Beef Rouladen
“For something that looks and tastes as impressive as this beef rouladen, it's actually one of the simplest stuffed meat recipes I know. You can pretty much use any cheap cut of beef; I used round steak, but rump, chuck, flap meat, and other similar cuts will work.”
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11
German Braised Red Cabbage (Rotkohl)
"Juniper berries, green apple, and tangy vinegar give this German braised red cabbage it's distinctive sweet and sour flavor. Make a big batch of this "rotkohl" and watch it disappear!"
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12
German Krautstrudel: An Easy Savory Cabbage Roll | 31Daily.com
Krautstrudel: An Easy Savory Cabbage Roll
"German Krautstrudel is a delightfully easy savory cabbage roll, perfect for the season. With soft sauteed strands of cabbage, the smoky flavor of bacon and savory crunch of caraway seeds; all wrapped in a delicate, flaky crust. It's a treat friends and family will love."
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13
Authentic German Austrian Spaetzle with Caramelized Onions | 31Daily.com
Authentic German Austrian Spaetzle with Caramelized Onions
An authentic Austrian-German Spaetzle with Caramelized Onion is an easy to make at home delicious treat you'll find yourself making often.
Get the Recipe
14
Two forks hold bread dipped in creamy fondue in a black pot, with Swiss cheese blocks and glasses in the background.
Cheddar Cheese and Cider Fondue Recipe
Cider and Cheddar Fondue: When snow is piling up or the winter wind is howling, when family and friends gather — whip up a quick and easy, cozy fireside treat.
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15
Front view of sliced Dresden Stollen on a wood cutting board
A Classic German Dresden Christmas Stollen
"German Stollen has been around for nearly 700 years and are prized throughout the world as one of the most famous and beloved of all Christmas pastries. Your search for the BEST authentic Stollen recipe has ended: Flaky, moist, aromatic and divinely flavorful, these homemade German Christmas Stollen are INCREDIBLE!"
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16
Side view of stacked Lebkuchen on a white plate with a bite missing
Lebkuchen Christmas Cookies
Lebkuchen Christmas Cookies is an easy-to-make flourless, soft, and chewy cookie filled with candied citrus, and ground almonds and packed with traditional gingerbread spices. Many consider them to be the world's oldest cookies.
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17
Lebkuchen Bars
"These spicy gingerbread-like bars, which are traditional holiday fare in Germany, contain no fat other than that in the egg. They're addictive nonetheless, with their hard sugar glaze and nippy bite of crystallized ginger (substituted for the more typical citron). They keep very well too, especially when a piece of apple is tucked into their airtight container to soften them. They're a perfect accompaniment to hot tea after a blustery afternoon of scouring the shops for just-right presents."
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German Christmas Cookies

"An assortment of German Christmas cookies at Rischart bakery in Munich. From left: chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons; cinnamon and kirsch star cookies; raspberry jam sandwich cookies; anise seed crescent cookies; chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies; chocolate-dipped hazelnut cookies."

Kokosmakronen (Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons)

Zimtsterne (Cinnamon and Kirsch Star Cookies)

Spitzbuben (Raspberry Jam Sandwich Cookies)

Vanillekipferl (Anise-Seed Crescent Cookies)

Schokiladen-Butter-plätzchen (Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread Cookies)

Nusstaler (Chocolate-Dipped Hazelnut Cookies)

18
Single Gingerbread Cookie on White Platter
Gingerbread Cookies: German Inspired
This Gingerbread Cookies recipe, inspired by German spices, is soft and perfectly delicious with molasses and brown sugar. These Gingerbread Cookies are Christmas in every bite.
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19
Lebkuchen (German Christmas Cookie) Recipe
“This rendition of the deeply-spiced German Christmas cookie gets its soft, chewy texture from the addition of honey. Any leftover dough scraps can be re-rolled and cut into additional cookies; remaining candied citrus can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month.”
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20
Authentic Stollen (German Christmas Bread)
Authentic Stollen (German Christmas Bread)
One of the most famous of all Christmas pastries, German Stollen are prized throughout the world. This authentic Stollen recipe is the BEST!
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21
Square image of colorful spritz cookies on a large plate and decorated with sprinkles.
Easy Spritz Cookies Recipe
These Spritz Cookies are an easy recipe that makes dozens of sweet bite-size, dense cookies with a delicious buttery vanilla flavor. A quick and simple Christmas cookie for trays, gifts, or tea.
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22
A pile of rectangular cookies with embossed designs, including birds, candles, and various shapes, placed on a red and white cloth on a wooden surface.
www.daringgourmet.com
Authentic German Springerle Cookies
“Springerle are German anise-flavored cookies that go back at least 700 years in their rich tradition as special gifts during the holidays and other celebrations. Delicately crispy-crunchy and a slightly chewy center, they're made with simple ingredients and are easy to make but absolutely require that you follow some key steps to achieving the right look, texture and flavor. This authentic Springerle cookies recipe goes back to the Swabia region of Germany where these famous cookies originated.”
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23
Buttery German Apple Cake (Apfelkuchen)
There's a family story behind this cake, “which was passed down (in memory! Not written down!) through three generations, beginning with one resourceful German grandmother. It's also known as Versunkener Apfelkuchen, meaning German apple cake.”
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24
Slices of raisin bread on a white plate with red grapes. A colorful cloth napkin and a cup of coffee are in the background.
www.quick-german-recipes.com
Oma’s Konigskuchen: German King’s Cake (Fruit Cake) Recipe.
“One of the most of the traditional holiday baking recipes made in Germany. Translated this means “King's Cake.””
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25
St Nicholas Day Tradition & Pastries (Weckmänner)
St Nicholas Day Tradition & Pastries (Weckmänner)
St Nicholas Day and Weckmänner bring up the best memories of growing up in Germany! Read about this tradition and bake Weckmann pastries!
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26
Side view of unsliced Christmas Cake on a red and white platter.
Lighter Christmas Cake with Apple and Fruit Recipe
This Christmas Cake is a delicious and moist cake packed with dried fruit, citrus zest, and applesauce. And with every bite, you will taste the holidays.
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27
Horizontal top view of unsliced Christmas Kugelhopf decorated with red cranberries and green fresh rosemary.
Christmas Kugelhopf
Discover the joy of Christmas Kugelhopf, a tender yeast bread spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. Indulge in this decadent, sweet treat today!
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Traditional German Christmas Foods to Celebrate the Holidays | 31Daily.com

How Germans Celebrate Christmas

“Germany celebrates Christmas with two public holidays, 25 and 26 December. For many people, 24 December, Christmas Eve, is divided into a hectic morning and a festive evening.

When Christmas Eve falls on a working day, the shops are open until noon and they are very busy as people buy their last presents or food for the festive meal. Afterward, attention focuses on decorating the Christmas tree with fairy lights and colorful baubles, wrapping up presents and preparing food.”

German Christmas Market with a Christmas tree in the forefront decorated with red glass ornaments and red ribbons.

German Christmas Traditions

While there are many German Christmas traditions, here are a few I particularly love.

Advent Calendar:

The advent calendar can be traced to 19th-century Germany. Protestant families were known to mark the days leading up to Christmas with a chalk line.

It wasn’t until 1851 that the first advent calendar was made using a plain card with a paper backing. On the face were 24 windows that, when opened, revealed images of Christmas. The last window generally revealed a Nativity scene on December 24th, Christmas Eve, or Heiligabend.

If you would like to make your own Advent Calendar, see our post on Easy Homemade Advent Calendars to DIY. Amazon has many beautiful and creative advent calendars, too. 

Advent Wreath (Adventskranz):

Many families in Germany create an advent wreath on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, consisting of four candles, evergreens, pinecones, and other natural materials. A candle is then lit each Sunday evening until the holiday. 

Often families will spend a reflective hour together, sing Christmas carols, host children’s musical performances, or watch a family movie together. And very often, hot cocoa, cider, and cookies as served too. 

St. Nicholas Day (Sankt Nikolaus Tag):

This is a favorite children’s holiday in Germany.

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th, the day St. Nicholas, the bishop of Myra in Minor Asia, died, or, in some communities and regions, on the evening of December 5, the eve of his death.

The custom is that a gray-haired man with a flowing beard, dressed as a bishop carrying a staff, knocks on doors and delivers gifts to children. He is accompanied by a “ragged-looking, devil-like Krampusse, who mildly or not so mildly scares the children.” Depending on the region, these escorts were called by different names: "Belsnickle," "Niglo," "Pelznickel," and others.

Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte):

Historic German city centers, dating back to the 15th century, light up the December sky with Christmas markets, also known as Weihnachtsmärkte. Vendors set up displays of local arts and crafts, food, and more. 

See the Best Christmas Markets in Germany.

Christmas Trees:

Otherwise known as Tannenbaum, the German Christmas tree finds its roots in the 16th century when “Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.”

It’s widely believed that Martin Luther was the first to add lighted candles to the Christmas tree.

History.com notes that while Martin Luther was walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.”

More German Christmas Traditions

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Traditional German Christmas Foods to Celebrate the Holidays | 31Daily.com

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Stephanie Wilson

Cookbook Author, Food Writer, and Chef

Stephanie Wilson is the founder of 31Daily.com, where she shares seasonal recipes, weekly meal plans, and teatime favorites to help readers gather around the table with joy. A certified private chef, cookbook author, and longtime event planner, she brings over 20 years of experience in catering, food writing, and media production—including network television work as a producer, director, and writer. Her work has been featured by Today.com, The Kitchn, Parade, and more.

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8 Comments

  1. Hi loved your article. I have been looking for traditional German christmas food for our research. May I ask for your help to fill me in of what’s the go-to soup, appetizers, main course, dessert, salad, pasta, and bread that Germans enjoy during christmas. I appreciate any help.

    Reply

  4. I was looking for Springerle or Pfeffernuse cookies. Are they not German as well?
    Thank you . I enjoyed your article and plan on making your recipes.
    Sue S.

    Reply

    1. Hi Shelly! Thanks for alerting me. We recently changed a portion of the website — and apparently the links on this post didn’t transfer over. I’ve updated them now. Have a great day!

      Reply