In a large bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Add the softened butter, egg yolks, vanilla, and lemon zest. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Wrap the dough and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into small festive shapes. For sandwich cookies, cut a small opening in the center of half of the cookies.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges become lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool completely.
Spread jam over the whole cookies and place the cut-out cookies on top. For another variation, fill some cookies with the walnut and cinnamon mixture.
Dust generously with powdered sugar.
Traditional Hungarian Christmas Favorites
A Hungarian Christmas cookie platter can include several delicious varieties, such as:
Linzer cookies with apricot jam
Walnut-filled pastries
Poppy seed cookies
Kifli crescent cookies
Gingerbread
Jam-filled pastries
Tips for Perfect Christmas Cookies
Chill the dough before rolling.
Don’t overbake—the cookies should remain tender.
Use thick jam so it doesn’t run out.
Let sandwich cookies rest for several hours so the filling softens the pastry slightly.
Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for a beautiful finish.
🇭🇺 Final Thoughts
Hungarian Christmas baking is all about rich flavors, beautiful shapes, and recipes made for sharing. These delicate cookies bring together buttery pastry, fruit preserves, walnuts, cinnamon, and powdered sugar in one festive assortment.
Make a big batch, put the coffee on, and enjoy a little taste of a Hungarian Christmas! 🇭🇺🎄🍪
