Travel Around the World in 46 Cookies (Cheaper than Airfare)
There are bar crawls and taco crawls and even cupcake crawls, so why not cookie crawls? Why not cookie crawls around the world?
We’ve taken that sugar-drunk fantasy and made it a reality. We’ve rounded of 46 Cookies of the World that feature the kooky, classic, and addictive recipes from our staff, friends, and community members just so you can country hop, cookie-style.
1. Nanaimo Bars (Nanaimo, Canada)
Another reason to consider moving to Canada. (Photo: Lillie Auld/Food52)
2. Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Cookies (Pennsylvania, U.S.)
This straight-laced cookie is brightened by currants and a bit of lemon juice and zest, and a lashing of sweet glaze. (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
3. Rainbow Cookies (New York, U.S.)
What’s better than a technicolor platter of classic Italian bakery cookies? (Photo: Nina Caldas/Food52)
4. Potato Chip Cookies (Saratoga Springs, U.S.)
This recipe proves that with some arm work and a not-so-secret ingredient, you can make the best cookies you’ll ever taste. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
5. Benne Wafers (South Carolina, U.S.)
These wafer-thin, sesame-seed studded cookies are lacey, crunchy, and caramel-colored, a.k.a. the perfect holiday treat. (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
6. Prune & Chocolate Rugelach (New York, U.S.)
This classic Jewish cookie meets American, Hungarian, Serbian, and Israeli influences. (Photo: Bobbi Lin/Food52)
7. Black & White Cookies (New York, U.S.)
Bring New York to You (with Mini Black and White Cookies). (Photo: Yossy Arefi/Food52)
8. Bizcochitos (New Mexico, U.S.)
Made with lard, these cookies improve with age—so plan ahead! (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
9. Mexican Wedding Cakes (Mexico)
This is a cookie recipe with a controversial past. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
10. Brigadeiros (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Brazilians grow up eating Brigadeiro, which are at every birthday party and pretty much any kind of celebration. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
11. Alfajores (Argentina)
The only thing that Argentineans love more than hefty pieces of steak and strong coffee is alfajores. (Photo: Sophia Real/Food52)
12. Serinakaker (Norway)
A classic Norwegian butter cookie perfect for ski trips, snowshoeing, and Christmas cookie tins. (Photo: Emily Vikre/Food52)
13. Swedish Rye Cookies (Sweden)
This is a classic Christmas cut-out cookie with rye flour and cream cheese dough (and a lot more personality). (Photo: Heidi Swanson/Food52)
14. Polish Apricot-Filled Cookies (Poland)
A family cookie recipe that the editors of “Gourmet” deemed the best of 2004. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
15. Pfeffernuse (Germany)
An updated, but true to form, take on a vintage German spice cookie. (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
16. Austrian Vanilla Crescents (Vanillekipferl) (Austria)
Vanilla crescents appear unspectacular—just little sugar-coated biscuits among all the colorful Christmas biscuits—but their flavor and texture will win you over. (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
17. Vanilice (Serbia)
This cookie was voted Your Best Holiday Cookie from Anywhere in the World! (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
18. Koulourakia (Greek Sesame Twist Cookies) (Greece)
A not-too-sweet cookie recipe passed from one new immigrant family to another. (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
19. Pain d'Amande (France)
A cookie for all your gifting, swapping, and impressing needs this holiday season. (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
20. Brandy Snaps (U.K.)
Sometimes it’s the recipes, more than the memories, that show you about your ancestors. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
21. Maltese Lemon Christmas Cookies (Malta)
In Malta, it’s the smell of lemon—not chocolate or peppermint or cinnamon—that means Christmas. (Photo: Meikie Peters/Food52)
22. Spanish Butter Wafers (Spain)
The best friend your tea (or wine) will have this holiday season. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
23. Tehina Shortbread (Israel)
Traditional shortbread—with an Israeli twist. (Photo: Michael Persico/Food52)
24. Samsa (Almond-Orange Triangles) (Northern Africa (Morocco, Tunisia & Algeria)
A cousin to baklava, samsa get fried instead of baked. (Yum!) (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
25. Chin Chin (Nigeria)
Meet Chin Chin: the cutest Christmas cookie on the planet. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
26. Nigerian Coconut Cookie Crisps (Nigeria)
A cracker-like coconut cookie with serious nostalgia power. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
27. Halawa (Halva) Truffles (Egypt)
These Middle Eastern and African cookies are bite-sized and ideal for dipping in tea. (Photo: Jonathan Gregson/Food52)
28. Mbatata (Sweet Potato Cookies) (Malawi)
Sweet potato cookies to commemorate the Malawian people. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
29. Chocolate Pepper Cookies (South Africa)
Spice things up: Add black pepper to your next batch of chocolate cookies. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
30. Basler Leckerli (Waldshut-Tiengen, Southern Germany)
The German boyfriend came and went, but this spice cookie recipe is still kicking it. (Photo: James Ransom/Food52)
31. Elisenlebkuchen (Nuremberg, Germany)
Of all the German gingerbread out there, here’s the one that will be your new favorite. (Photo: Sophia Real/Food52)
32. Buccellati (Sicilian Christmas Cookies) (Sicily, Italy)
Festive fig cookies that taste of a Sicilian Christmas. (Photo: Emiko Davies/Food52)
33. Ukrainian Curd Cheese Cookies (Ukraine)
Who’s to say that cheese doesn’t belong in a cookie? (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
34. Rice Cookies with Cardamom and Rose Water (Kermanshah, Iran)
Gluten-free cookies with subtle floral kick. (Photo: Bobbi Lin/Food52)
35. Springerles (Germany)
Springerles, a biscotti-like biscuit with an odd-ball technique. (Photo: Food52)
36. Dorie Greenspan’s Stained Glass Cookies (Paris, France)
To make these elegant French sugar cookies, bien sûr! (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
37. Struffoli (Italian Honey Ball Cookies) (Southern Italy)
Make a batch of these southern Italian cookies this holiday season and they’ll become a tradition for years to come. (Photo: Angela Brown/Food52)
38. Alice Medrich’s Buckwheat Thumbprint Cookies with Cherry Preserves (Russia)
A flavorful upgrade to the classic Russian Tea Cake. (Photo: Mark Weinberg/Food52)
39. Chickpea Flour (Besan) Laddu (India)
If you’ve never heard of laddus, just think of them as balls of sweet goodness. (Photo: Nik Sharma/Food52)
40. Coconut Milk Fudge (India)
An ancient Gujarati sweet—with a time-saving update. (Photo: David Loftus/Food52)
41. Chinese Peanut Cookies (China)
Buttery, nutty cookies to make this holiday. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
42. Matcha Butter Cookies (Japan)
The Japanese love flavoring desserts with the distinct, bitter flavor of matcha tea, and these cookies are no exception. (Photo: Emiko Davies/Food52)
43. Polvorón (Philippines)
These polvorónes—traditional Filipino cookies—do everything the cookies on that holiday platter you got this year don’t do. (Photo: Linda Xiao/Food52)
44. Tangerine Pies “Kuey Tarts” (Singapore)
These whimsically filled cookies have a deceptive name. (Photo: Pate Eng/Food52)
45. Mint Slices (Australia)
Sorry Girl Scouts, but these Australian Mint Slices might just give your Thin Mints a run for their money. (Photo: Sarah Coates/Food52)
46. Mango Melting Moments (Australia)
A classic Australian cookie with a “locally sourced” filling. (Photo: Emiko Davies/Food52)
For more cookies and to add your own, visit the Food52 cookie map!
By Food52.
