joulukeksejä

Joulukeksejä, which translates to "Christmas cookies" in English, are a traditional part of Finnish holiday celebrations. These cookies are baked and shared throughout the Advent season and into Christmas itself, often as part of a larger spread of festive treats. The variety of joulukeksejä is extensive, encompassing many different flavors, textures, and shapes.

Common ingredients include butter, sugar, flour, and eggs, with many recipes featuring additions like gingerbread spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom), chocolate, nuts, or dried fruits. Some popular types include piparkakut, which are thin, spiced gingerbread cookies often cut into decorative shapes and sometimes glazed. Another favorite is perinteiset joulutortut, star-shaped pastries made from puff pastry and filled with prune jam, though these are often considered a pastry rather than a cookie, their festive nature places them in a similar category. Chocolate cookies, often with a rich cocoa flavor, are also widely enjoyed.

The preparation of joulukeksejä is a significant family activity in Finland. Baking these cookies together is a cherished tradition, with recipes passed down through generations. They are frequently used to decorate Christmas trees, hung with ribbons, or simply arranged on platters for guests to enjoy with coffee or glögi, a Finnish mulled wine. The aroma of baking spices and sweet dough filling homes is a quintessential scent of a Finnish Christmas.