A WORLD OF COOKIES

Put on your apron, take out the festive spices, and bake some traditional biscuits and cookies with global flavour

GERMAN LEBKUCHEN Traditional ingredients for these round, spicy treats include aniseed, coriander, cloves, ginger, cardamom and allspice, as well as nuts or candied fruit.

ITALIAN STRUFFOLI are Neapolitan deep-fried dough balls mixed with honey and other ingredients. These crunchy-onthe-outside, light-on-the-inside treats are usually served at Christmas time and can be eaten warm.

MALAWAIAN MBATATA are sweet potato cookies studded with raisins – delicious on your breakfast table or in your holiday gift tin. Make a double batch from the start – you won’t regret it.

MALTESE LEMON CHRISTMAS COOKIES A festive-season classic, they’re thin, crunchy, and a little flaky, with a strong aroma of lemon and vanilla.

NORWEGIAN KRUMKAKE are more waffle than cookie. They’re cooked on a circular cookie iron, then rolled into a cigar or cone shape – perfect for Christmas.

POLISH KOŁACZKI are made with a cream cheese dough that turns flaky and sweet when cooked. Kołaczki can be round, square or diamond-shaped.

SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD can be eaten all year round but this buttery treat is especially popular over the holidays and at Hogmanay (Scottish New Year).

SOUTH AMERICAN ALFAJORES These dulche de leche sandwich cookies come in many sizes and flavours, depending on the region. Some recipes call for pisco, or South American brandy. We won’t say no!