Schoggi Tropfen
These cookies are a take on a similar cookie from Betty Bossi, Orangen-Schokolade-Tropfen, from 1978’s classic recipe book Guetzle mit Betty Bossi.
The main difference, however, is that these are made exclusively of pure spelt (UrDinkel), which adds a real tenderness to the finished cookie. In both recipes the cookies are dipped in chocolate and garnished with orange peel.
I make my own candied orange peel (my recipe here), which is incredibly sparkly and delicious, and I think adds a real festive glint to these cookies.
This cookie is not unlike my Chocolate Orange Roundies, which have the same Betty Bossi inspiration. I like these more because you don’t have to grate chocolate ( the only time I find this really worthwhile is in Brunsli) and there’s something so fetching about their droplet shape.
150 g butter, room temperature
150 g sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla paste or extract
1 tsp salt
250 g spelt flour
30 g cocoa powder
To garnish
melted chocolate
candied peel (see recipe here)
Cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and salt. Sift in the flour and stir until combined. Form into a disc, wrap and chill in the fridge for an hour, or until firm.
When you are ready to bake
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Roll out the dough to about a 1/4 inch thick. Cut out the cookies in a drop shape and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for about 10–12 minutes.
Let cool, then dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with candied peel.
Makes about 45 (depending on the size of your cutter).
More Swiss Christmas?
Nocino Sablés
These buttery and tender sablés get a helpful kick from the addition of homemade Nocino—a liqueur made with green walnuts.
Schoggi Tropfen
These sparkly holiday cookies are made especially tender by exclusively using spelt flour.
Swiss Christmas
Here’s my compendium of Swiss Christmas recipes—from beloved Swiss Christmas cookies, to typical Christmas dinners, as well as food eaten during the season, whether at Christmas markets or on St Nicholas Day, the 6th of December.
Anisbrötli and Anischräbeli
It’s love or hate with these.
There isn’t a lot to be done for anise-haters, but there are plenty of ways to prevent a bland, brittle, dry biscuit.
Zimtsterne
Although these cookies take a bit of work, I can confirm that this recipe is easier than Rosina Gschwind’s recipe from 1892 that suggests beating the egg whites and sugar for an hour. It may take some fine motor skills to apply the icing, but at least your arm won’t fall off.
Samichlaus Cookies
I know you only got your Samichlaus sack yesterday, but really, who can eat that many peanuts?
Swiss Chalets
Though not quite as delicious as the Festive Special, these pretzel adorned Swiss Chalets are delightful to look at and fun to make.
Vanillegipfeli
Vanillegipfeli are tender, buttery, sweet, baby croissant-shaped cookies, dredged in vanilla-y icing sugar.
A lot of icing sugar.
Chocolate Orange Roundies
Part of the second-tier of Swiss Christmas cookies and ever present on my mother-in-law’s cookie tray.
Boozy Balls
These boozy balls are ones you'll actually want to eat.
You can make them gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, even booze-free—the variety is endless.
Samichlaus Bars
The result of all these Samichlaus sacks is that you sometimes end up with a glut of peanuts, chocolate, and oranges. If you get tired of eating them, don't despair, chop them up and make this easy recipe with the leftovers.
Josy's Rosinen Guetzli
Sam's favourite Christmas cookies—buttery and stuffed with raisins.
Spitzbuben
The jewel of the Swiss Christmas cookie tray is surely the Spitzbuben, with its elegant dusting of powdered sugar and bright ruby centre.
Mailänderli
Switzerland’s favourite Christmas cookie, made by every bakery and every family.
(But none are as good as my mom's.)

