John Myers
It is probably not possible to answer this question exactly, but there are various traditions as to where this tradition could have come from.
One of these theories says that the Celts were already preparing cookies in the time before Christ. At that time, the winter solstice was celebrated, i.e. the longest night of the year, which is celebrated shortly before Christmas (from December 21st to 22nd). Since it was a dark and cold time, people were afraid that ghosts would haunt their homes. To appease the spirits, offerings were made in the form of animals made of dough. This also explains why many cookie shapes are still based on animals today.
Another theory goes back to the Middle Ages. Spices were so expensive that most people could not afford them. However, in many monasteries, cookies were baked in preparation for Christmas and to celebrate the birth of Christ. In order to make the poorer people happy too, the monks gave them their biscuits – so the biscuits were something very special in the run-up to Christmas.
Why Bake Cookies?
Some researchers suspect that the origin lies in the Middle Ages. Monasteries commemorated the birth of Christ with elaborate baked goods and distributed them to the poor. Since sugar and spices were very expensive, only this special commemoration was elaborately baked.
The custom of baking Christmas cookies dates back to before the birth of Christ. For the celebration of the winter solstice, the Germans made so-called sacrificial bread, from which the Christmas bread developed – today’s Christmas stollen. It was expensive to make.
The word “cookie” is a diminutive of vernacular place, “flat-shaped cake”, after the flat form rendered from Old French place. The word “Keks” comes from the English “cakes”.
Who Invented Christmas Cookies?
Century, when the tea culture of the British spilled over to the continent. The Austrians and Bohemians in particular came up with cookies such as vanilla crescents, Spitzbuben, spritz, and butter biscuits. So each country created its own types of cookies, which are still popular today.
One of them says that the Celts were already baking cookies before Christ.
In the beginning, the Christmas cookies were not only used to eat, but also to decorate the Christmas tree. In many places, in addition to candles and small wooden or glass figures, there were also homemade cookies hanging on the tree.
