In this series of Christmas cookies, I am introducing four of the most popular and easiest cookies using the recipes I learned from my grandmother.

Czech Christmas cookies are both delicate and delicious. It is customary to make 12 different kinds of Christmas cookies. And these beehive cookies are the first ones to be eaten in every household! The baking festivities begin on the first Advent holiday. In 2022 Advent begins on November 27 and ends on December 24.

Learn more about the Advent, pagan, and Christmas traditions here.

Beehives are traditional and perhaps the most popular of all Czech Christmas cookies. They are unique to this region of the world. The exact history of this cookie is unknown, but cultural anthropologists believe they may date back hundreds of years to the pagan solstice celebrations. The cookies are named after the shape of old-fashioned straw honey beehives. During pagan celebrations, baked goods were prepared in the shape of the sun and magical animal figures. They were hung in living rooms, barns, or on trees to protect buildings, animals, and crops from dark forces.

The original mold for the beehive cookie was made from wood but is now made out of plastic. The color of the beehive dough depends on the ingredients used, especially what type of cocoa one uses. This recipe contains a little bit of rum, which makes it especially delicious, but it can be omitted.

Beehive cookies are surprisingly easy to make, and they do not require baking. All of the ingredients are available in the US, including the cylindrical form, so indulge yourself in this Central European delicacy.

Beehive cookie molds sitting on a granite counter

The cookies require this special form, which can be easily purchased online.

This recipe uses vanilla sugar for the filling. Vanilla sugar can be purchased in specialty stores or online and can come in 8 gram packets or in larger jars. When I was growing up, we had to make our own vanilla sugar. It is easy and fun to make by placing a vanilla bean inside a container with powdered sugar and closing the container tightly. In about three days, the sugar will be beautifully scented and ready to use.

Brown cookies in the shape of beehives sitting on a white plate

Beehive Cookies

Magda Born

In this series of Christmas cookies, I am introducing four of the most popular and easiest cookies using the recipes I learned from my grandmother. Beehives are traditional and perhaps the most popular of all Czech Christmas cookies. They are unique to this region of the world. The exact history of this cookie is unknown, but cultural anthropologists believe they may date back hundreds of years to the pagan solstice celebrations.

Baking requires exact measurements. One gram is .035 oz. Most scales have ounce and grams settings.

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Course Dessert

Equipment

Beehive Molds

Ingredients

No-Bake Dough

160 g Ladyfingers cookies
150 g Confectioner’s sugar plus extra for the beehive form
60 g Butter European-style butter produces the best results.
2 Tbs Cocoa powder
4 Tbs Run
2 Tbs Milk

Filling

80 g Confectioner sugar
8 g Vanilla sugar
1 Tbs Rum

Linzer cookies to enclose the bottom of the beehive

Instructions

Place ladyfingers in a food processor, and combine them with the confectioner’s sugar, soft butter, cocoa powder, rum, and milk.
Mix into a dough, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest in the refrigerator for about one hour.
Sprinkle the beehive mold with sugar and press a spoonful of dough into it. Using your finger, form a small void in the center of the dough for the filling. With a gentle tap against the surface of the table, shake the beehive out of the mold.
Place the beehive in a box and leave them in the fridge overnight to set up. Using a small spoon or a tip of a spatula, fill them up with filling.
Use Linzer cookies for the base of your beehive. The recipe can be found here.
Store cookies in a tightly closed box and store in a cool place until Christmas. Enjoy while supplies last!