38 German Christmas Recipes (2024)

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Bring home your favorite Christkindlmarket flavors with these German Christmas mains, sides and desserts!

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Pork Schnitzel with Sauce

I make big fans whenever I serve this German-style schnitzel pork schnitzel recipe. It’s a Christmastime favorite —Diane Katzmark, Metamora, Michigan. Looking for more? Check out these German Christmas dinner recipes.

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2/38

Almond Spritz Cookies

This almond spritz cookies recipe can be left plain or decorated with colored sugar and frosting. In our house, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without some cookie press recipes.—Tanya Hart, Muncie, Indiana

3/38

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. —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania

Find more Christmas dinners from around the world.

4/38

Old-Fashioned Stollen

Stollen is a Christmas tradition in Germany. The fruit-filled yeast bread is topped with icing, candied fruit and almonds. Its shape resembles a giant Parker House roll. —Linda Hinners, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Check out our traditional French Christmas recipes.

5/38

Savory Sausage Stuffing

I used to make the same old dressing every year. About 10 years ago, I decided to jazz up my recipe by adding pork sausage. Now everyone requests this dish for all our holiday meals. —Ursula Hernandez, Waltham, Minnesota

6/38

Mulled Wine

Called gluhwein in German, this mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don’t omit this essential step. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

7/38

Apricot Almond Torte

This pretty cake takes a bit of time, so I like to make the layers ahead of time and assemble the day of serving, making it an easier option for Christmas entertaining. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

8/38

Bratwurst Supper

Loaded with chunks of bratwurst, red potatoes, mushrooms and carrots, this one-dish meal makes an easy German-inspired Christmas dinner. —Janice Meyer, Medford, Wisconsin

9/38

Old-Fashioned Molasses Cake

This old-world spice cake is lower in fat but big on flavor. Serve it warm for breakfast on a frosty morning or have a square with hot cider on a snowy afternoon. It’s a great Christmas treat. —Deanne Bagley, Bath, New York

10/38

Slow-Cooked Sauerkraut Soup

We live in Lancaster County, which has a rich heritage of German culture. Our dishes often include sauerkraut, potatoes and sausage. We enjoy this recipe on cold winter evenings, along with muffins and fruit. —Linda Lohr, Lititz, Pennsylvania

11/38

German Potato Dumplings

Potato dumplings (called Kartoffel Kloesse in Germany) are a delightful addition to any German feast. The browned butter sauce is delectable.—Arline Hofland, Deer Lodge, Montana

12/38

Smoked Honey-Peppercorn Salmon

I found this recipe in an Alaska fishing guide. Now it's the only way we do salmon. The brine gives it a sweet caramelized coating, and the hickory wood chips give it a distinct smoky flavor. —Judy Ashby, Jamestown, Tennessee

13/38

Chewy German Chocolate Cookies

When I want a cookie that’s as chewy as a brownie, this is the recipe I reach for. Coffee granules add the right amount of mocha flavor. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

14/38

Country Potato Pancakes

These potato pancakes are really versatile. They can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. Potato pancakes go particularly well with pork. We have them often at our house. —Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin

15/38

Oma's Apfelkuchen (Grandma's Apple Cake)

My husband’s German family calls this Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to "Grandma’s apple cake." They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio

16/38

Duck Breasts with Apricot Chutney

When it comes to holiday main dishes, duck is an unsung hero. When serving this entree as part of a buffet, try using chafing dish to keep it warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

17/38

Chocolate Lebkuchen

Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. —Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas

18/38

Aunt Grace's Eggnog

When I was growing up, I couldn't get enough of the nonalcoholic eggnog my aunt always prepared for us kids. Now I enjoy this adult version. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

19/38

Sausage Lentil Soup

I first tasted this wonderful soup at a friend's house. Now it's my favorite, especially on a cool, crisp night. —Catherine Rowe, Berthoud, Colorado

20/38

Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables

I appreciate this recipe because it includes a side dish of roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts and carrots, giving me one less Christmas dish to think about! —Janet Tucker, Bellevue, Ohio

21/38

Rustic Caramel Apple Tart

Like an apple pie without the pan, this scrumptious tart has a crispy crust that cuts nicely and a yummy caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas

22/38

Standing Rib Roast

This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado

23/38

Lebkuchen

It's tradition for my family to make these German treats together. The recipe came from my great-grandmother's cookbook, and judging from the amount of requests I get, it has certainly stood the test of time. —Esther Kempker, Jefferson City, Missouri

24/38

German Red Cabbage

Sunday afternoons were a time for family gatherings when I was a kid. While the uncles played cards, the aunts made treats such as this traditional German red cabbage recipe. —Jeannette Heim, Dunlap, Tennessee

25/38

Rich Fruit Kuchens

This German classic is such a part of our reunions, we designate a special place to serve it. Five generations flock to the "Kuchen Room" for this coffee cake. —Stephanie Schentzel, Northville, South Dakota

26/38

Parmesan Baked Potatoes

It always amazed me that this simple recipe could make potatoes taste so good. Mom liked to make them for Easter because they were more special than ordinary baked potatoes. —Ruth Seitz, Columbus Junction, Iowa

27/38

Cranberry Conserve

I'm 95, and I still remember my grandmother from Germany making this lovely, delicious conserve for the holidays. She'd give it to family members and friends. It tastes great served as a relish alongside meat or even spread on biscuits.-Mildred Marsh Banker, Austin, Texas

28/38

Frosted Gingerbread Nut Cookies

I received the recipe for these soft ginger cookies from a dear friend who has since passed away. A comforting classic like this always satisfies. —Karyn Rogers, Hemet, California

29/38

Sauerkraut Casserole

Mom brewed her own sauerkraut and, of course, the cabbage was from our big farm garden! Blending the kraut with spicy sausage and apples was Mom's favorite way to fix it, and I still love this country dish. —Rosemary Pryor, Pasadena, Maryland

30/38

Bavarian Pot Roast

Since all my grandparents were German, it's no wonder that so many Bavarian recipes have been handed down to me. Because the Midwest has such a large German population, I feel this recipe represents the area well. —Susan Robertson, Hamilton, Ohio

31/38

The sweetness of the apples and onions nicely complements the roast pork. With its crisp, golden exterior and melt-in-your-mouth flavor, this pork is my family's favorite weekend dinner. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

32/38

Pfeffernuesse Cookies

A German holiday tradition, these fragrant pfeffernuesse cookies pack a warm rush of spices in every bite. Also called peppernuts, they go wonderfully with coffee or tea.—Joanne Nelson, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

33/38

Deluxe German Potato Salad

I make this for all occasions because it goes well with any kind of meat. When I take the warm salad to bring-a-dish events, there are rarely leftovers! —Betty Perkins, Hot Springs, Arkansas

34/38

Spiced German Cookies

These buttery spice cookies are a cross between sugar cookies and gingerbread, creating the best of both worlds. —April Drasin, Van Nuys, California

35/38

Authentic German Potato Salad

This authentic German potato salad is a staple on Christmas spreads across the country. I’ve had this recipe for decades. —Violette Klevorn, Washington, Missouri

36/38

Roast Christmas Goose

I have such fond childhood memories of Christmas dinner and my mother serving a golden brown Christmas goose. To flavor the meat, Mom stuffed the bird with peeled and quartered fruit that's discarded after baking. —Rosemarie Force, Heathsville, Virginia

37/38

Gingerbread Men Cookies

No Christmas treat platter would be complete without gingerbread men cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I’m happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

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Apple-Roasted Pork with Cherry Balsamic Glaze

I added roasted apples, cherries and onions to turn ordinary pork into an impressive dish. There is a short time span between caramelized onions and burned ones, so pay close attention once they start cooking. —Josh Downey, McHenry, Illinois

Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer cocktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.