21 Festive German Christmas Recipes (2024)

Christmas is a time for tradition, and for many people in Germany, traditional recipes are a big part of the holiday season. Germany is renowned for its traditional Christmas dishes, with each region having its own special way of preparing and presenting seasonal favorites. These german Christmas recipes will taste like a warm hug on cold winter days.

If you’re looking for more German recipes, you can check out our Best German Cookie Recipes for Christmas. For other Christmas sweets, you can also read our Best Christmas Dessert Ideas to try with your family during the holiday season.

In cooking, german cuisine is often characterized by the use of hearty ingredients like potatoes, root vegetables, and meats. Traditional German Christmas recipes often make use of these ingredients to create dishes that are both comforting and delicious. Make sure to try these german dishes below to bring a unique flavor to your Christmas dinner.

Marzipankartoffeln

Source: The Spruce Eats

Marzipan potatoes, also called German candy potatoes or marzipankartoffeln in German, are a quick and easy treat that you can make at home for guests. They also make great edible gifts or favors!

Heisse Maronen

Source: Stuttgart Citizen

The smell of roasted chestnuts is a significant part of both German and American Christmas traditions. Just like in traditional New York City sidewalk scenes during Christmas, the aroma of roasting chestnuts wafts through the air at markets throughout Germany during Christmas time.

Bratapfel

Source: German Girl In America

The Bratapfel, or baked apple in English, is a classic German dessert that’s perfect for Christmas dinner. It’s made with sweet apples filled with an array of spices and honey or brown sugar before being baked until golden brown

Kartoffelsalat mit Wurstchen

Source: Dirndl Kitchen

Germans love a good German potato salad recipe with Würstchen (Wiener sausages) on Christmas Eve. Kartoffelsalat mit Würstchen is a meal that can be made ahead of time, doesn’t require last-minute prep, and that everybody loves!

German Rehruecken Cake Recipe

Source: The Oma Way

Rehruecken Kuchen, or saddle of venison cake, is a German chocolate almond cake that is easy to follow with these step-by-step instructions. This classic cake in Germany is made with slivered almonds and thick chocolate icing.

Related Post: Best Christmas Cake Recipes

German Glühwein

Source: Kitchn

Although mulled wine exists in many forms across the world, there is no strict recipe to follow. This specific recipe is for German Glühwein, whose name translates to “glow-wine.” After drinking a few mugs of this drink outdoors in December, you’ll understand why.

Related Post: Best Christmas co*cktail Recipes

German Christmas Goose

Source: The Spruce Eats

Many Germans prefer to eat goose during Christmas festivities, although duck is also a popular choice. You hardly ever see turkey being served on holiday dinner tables in Germany. And it’s unfortunate because not many people eat goose anymore, even though it’s so simple to prepare. As with other poultry,​ onions, thyme, and fruit make great seasonings for goose dishes.

German Christmas Stollen

Source: The Daring Gourmet

German Stollen is one of the oldest and most popular Christmas pastries in the world. This authentic recipe produces flaky, moist, and incredibly flavorful results that will make your holiday season special.

Traditional German Spaetzle

Source: The Daring Gourmet

A favorite food in Germany, this is a Spaetzle recipe that is authentic and sure to please! Just like the Swabia region of Southern Germany intends them to be, these will have the perfect texture and flavor that you know and love.

Käsespätzle

Source: The Daring Gourmet

You’ll fall in love with this Kasespatzle if you’re a fan of pasta, cheese, and caramelized onions! These homemade German egg noodles are overflowing with Swiss cheese and topped with buttery caramelized onion. Comfort food can’t get any better than this!

Braided Poppy-Seed Roll

Source: MyRecipes

A traditional German pastry that’s popular during the Christmas season. It can be served as breakfast, dessert, or snack. This sweet bread will make your holiday table look stunning!

German Potato Salad

Source: AllRecipes

This is an easy recipe for delicious German potato salad that will please any crowd, whether they are German or not. I often take it to potlucks, and we also have it at home on special occasions. There are usually no leftovers, but if there are, they don’t last long!

Related Post: Best Christmas Salad Recipes

Apple Strudel

Source: Plated Cravings

Making homemade Apple Strudel is simpler than you might imagine! Its flaky crust and spiced apple filling give this traditional Apfelstrudel recipe an edge over the store-bought kind. Top it with vanilla ice cream or a decadent vanilla sauce, and you have an irresistible fall or winter dessert that will wow your guests every time!

German Spaghetti

Source: 12 Tomatoes

This German Spaghetti dish might be a little untraditional, but it’s still creamy and meaty, and comforting. If you’re looking for an excuse to add more bratwurst and German beer into your life, this is the perfect pasta dish for you!

Streuselkuchen

Source: Recipes From Europe

Streuselkuchen recipe uses traditional yeast dough packed with streusel – those sweet buttery “crumbs” that sit on top of the cake. And what’s great about this dish is that it’s actually quite simple to make. So if you’re looking for an easy cake to serve to guests (or just keep it for yourself), then this German streusel cake fits the bill perfectly!

Pork Roast and Sauerkraut

Source: The Kitchen Whisperer

With only a few, easily accessible ingredients, this recipe yields a delectably moist and juicy pork roast. First, sear the meat to achieve optimal flavor. Searing caramelizes the sugars in meat and browns the proteins for more flavor and color contrast.

Baeckeoffe

Source: The Spice House

Including pig’s feet in the baeckeoffe adds a gelatinous texture to its juices. Oxtail is another traditional option, or you could leave it out altogether. The luting paste serves two purposes: keeping the wine’s vaporous aromas from escaping and preventing the cooking liquid from evaporating. You could also use a band of heavy aluminum foil for this purpose.

Pear Kuchen

Source: NY Times

It’s simple to make and will fill the house with a delicious scent! If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding your favorite type of nut or even dried fruit for an extra flavor boost. Enjoy it warm from the oven, either as dessert.

Strawberry Kuchen

Source: Southern Living

In contrast to other kuchen recipes that are more bread-like and made with a yeasted dough, this has a tender, fluffy crumb and is topped with strawberries and almonds. It’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious! Serve this Strawberry Kuchen warm from the oven, either as a dessert or a sweet breakfast treat.

Sauerbraten

Source: The Daring Gourmet

Sauerbraten is a scrumptious German dish that has been marinated and slow-cooked until it is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The gravy is flavorful with just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Perfection!

Related Post: Best Christmas Slow Cooker Recipes

Beef Rouladen

Source: AllRecipes

Made of thin slices of beef filled with bacon and onions. Serve it over mashed potatoes or spaetzle for an authentic German meal during the holidays.

Related Posts:

• Delicious Christmas Pie Recipes
• Delicious Christmas Casserole Recipes
• Best Christmas Appetizer Recipes

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