7 Traditional Czech Christmas Cookies

This one basic recipe can be transformed into different cookies by varying the shape, and sandwiching together with jam or cookie filling, decorating with different-colored icings, dusting with confectioners' sugar or leaving plain.

Butter cookies can be piped out or forced through a cookie press or, if refrigerated for a few hours, rolled into balls and turned into thumbprint cookies filled with jam.

This easy recipe for Czech black-and-white cookies or linecke testo dvoubarevne (lih-NETS-keh TAYS-toh dvaw-oo-bah-RREV-nay) can be made into zavitky (pinwheel), sachovnice (checkerboard), kolecka s obrouckou (wheel), rezy ze cytr pruhu (square), and salam (salami) shapes.

This recipe for Czech Parisian cookies or parizske pecivo are better known as rolled wafer cookies or pirouettes. They are usually served as is, but they can be filled with sweetened whipped cream, if desired.

Bear paws cookies can be rolled in vanilla sugar or confectioner's sugar, but many Czechs like to dip the ends in melted chocolate and use blanched slivered almonds for claws. And don't worry if you don't have a bear paw pan, a madeleine pan will work just fine.

Some bakers like to roll these in vanilla sugar while they are still hot, but they're also lovely rolled in confectioner's sugar. They look like freshly fallen snow—so perfect for Christmas!

This recipe can be made into plain, round, gingersnap shapes or into whimsical gingerbread men, stars, hearts, angels, reindeer or anything your heart desires. Decorate with this easy-to-make water icing.