In these pages you'll find a mouthwatering collection of cookies. Classic recipes—Gingerbread, Sugar Cookies, and Spritz—are all here, along with contemporary favorites and traditional cookies from other cultures. Some of the recipes date back to medieval times, including the anise-scented Springerle and honey-spiced Lebkuchen. Others, like French Lemon Wafers and Mahogany-Iced Brown Bears are more modern takes on long-cherished recipes.

Baking expert Lou Pappas shares with us the enchanting history of Christmas cookies and shows us which ones are best for shipping, which are fun to bake with kids, and which make the most elegant displays. In addition, you'll find The Christmas Cookie Book complete with tips on ingredients, techniques, and equipment, and illustrated with gorgeous color photographs throughout.

Festively boxed and wrapped, or lovingly arranged on serving trays, baking, decorating, and giving these cookies are a joyous way to celebrate the spirit of the season with your family, friends, and faraway loved ones.