Name: Basler Brunsli (Swiss Chocolate Almond Spice Cookies)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 18 min
Ingredients: 3 cups raw almonds; 9 oz bittersweet chocolate (50-70% cacao); 1 ¾ cups confectioners' sugar; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp ground cloves; 3 egg whites; 1 tbsp kirsch (or dark rum); Granulated sugar for rolling

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Basler Brunsli are traditional Swiss Christmas cookies that are loved all over Europe, and they’re especially popular in Germany. They taste a bit like chocolate gingerbread, but they come together without flour, so they’re naturally gluten-free!

Basler Brunsli

If you’re a fan of chocolate and gingerbread, then you’re in for a treat with Basler Brunsli. These traditional Swiss Christmas cookies come from the town of Basel, Switzerland, and offer a wonderful combination of almond, chocolate, and a subtle hint of spice. With a chewy texture and a rich, plummy aroma from kirsch (or dark rum), Basler Brunsli are a perfect holiday cookie to add to your baking repertoire.

What Makes Basler Brunsli Special?

The dough for these cookies is unlike most traditional Christmas cookie doughs. It’s made by grinding almonds and chocolate into a fine rubble, then binding it all together with egg whites and a splash of kirsch (or rum) for that irresistible, festive flavor. They are then rolled out, cut into simple shapes (hearts are the most popular!), and baked at a low temperature to dry out and develop a chewy texture.

Basler Brunsli are also naturally gluten-free! So if you have gluten-free guests or family members, these are the perfect holiday treat.

Fully Baked Basler Brunsli Just out of the oven

Ingredients for Basler Brunsli

These naturally gluten-free Christmas cookies come together with almonds and chocolate, held together with egg whites. Just sweet enough to be delicious and with enough warm spices to be festive around the holidays. Here’s what you’ll need:

Raw Almonds: Almonds are the star of these cookies, providing a rich, nutty base and chewy texture. For the best results, use raw almonds, as they’ll grind more easily into a fine meal. If you can, opt for unblanched almonds, as their skins add a bit of extra flavor and texture. You can substitute with other nuts like hazelnuts or walnuts, though it will change the flavor slightly.
Bittersweet Chocolate: Bittersweet chocolate (50-70% cacao) gives Basler Brunsli their deep, rich flavor that balances out the sweetness of the sugar. Higher cacao content results in a more intense chocolate flavor, but any good-quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate will work. You can use chocolate chips or a bar, just be sure it’s at least 50% cacao. Avoid milk chocolate, as it will make the dough too sweet.
Confectioners’ Sugar: Powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) helps create the smooth, sticky dough that gives Basler Brunsli their chewy texture. It’s important for binding the ingredients without making the dough too gritty. For the best texture, be sure to sift it before adding it to the mixture to avoid lumps.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor of the cookies by balancing out the sweetness. It also helps bring out the richness of the chocolate and almonds. Don’t skip it!
Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that complements the chocolate and almonds, giving the cookies a distinctly wintery flavor. Feel free to experiment with other spices like ginger or nutmeg if you prefer a twist on the traditional.
Ground Cloves: Cloves provide a subtle, aromatic depth to the dough. It’s a spice that pairs perfectly with cinnamon and adds to the cookies’ holiday aroma. If you don’t have cloves on hand, a pinch of allspice can be a good substitute.
Egg Whites: Egg whites are key to the chewy texture of these cookies, giving them structure and helping to bind the almond-chocolate mixture together. They also help the dough hold its shape when baking. Make sure to beat them until they are just frothy—no need to stiffen them into peaks like for meringue.
Kirsch (or Dark Rum): Kirsch is a traditional cherry brandy that adds a subtle, fruity aroma and depth to the dough, and it also helps to moisten the mixture. If you don’t have kirsch, dark rum is an excellent substitute and will provide a similar warmth and complexity. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, try a splash of cherry juice or even a little bit of vanilla extract.
Granulated Sugar (for rolling): You’ll need a bit of granulated sugar to roll the dough out on your work surface. It helps prevent the dough from sticking and adds a slight sweetness to the outside of the cookies. You can also use superfine sugar if you have it, or even some extra powdered sugar if that’s what you have on hand.

These are the traditional ingredients, but just about any nut will work in place of almonds if you don’t have them on hand. Cinnamon and clove are what’s generally used, but any warm spices will also do the trick. (If you have gingerbread spice on hand, or apple pie spice, either are delicious in these cookies.)

How to Make Basler Brunsli

To start making Basler Brunsli, begin by grinding the almonds in a food processor until they’re very fine, but be careful not to let them turn into a paste. Once they’re finely ground, transfer them to a large bowl. Then, break the chocolate into pieces and pulse it in the food processor until it’s finely ground as well—just don’t let it melt. If your kitchen is on the warm side, it’s a good idea to pop the chocolate in the fridge for a bit before grinding. After that, add the ground chocolate to the bowl with the almonds.

Next, toss in the confectioners’ sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir everything together until well combined. Now, add the egg whites, one at a time, and mix until each one is fully incorporated. Once the egg whites are in, stir in the kirsch (or rum), and knead the dough until it’s thick and slightly sticky. At this point, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough chill in the fridge for anywhere between 12 to 24 hours. This gives the dough time to firm up and allows all the flavors to meld together.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Next, scatter some granulated sugar on your work surface and turn the chilled dough onto it. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and roll it out to about ½ inch thick. The sugar will help prevent the dough from sticking as you roll it out.

Now it’s time to cut out the cookies! Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, or feel free to get creative with shapes like circles or squares. Just make sure the shapes are simple since the dough is a bit coarse. Once you’ve cut out the cookies, transfer them to the baking sheets, leaving about ½ inch of space between each one. Bake the cookies for around 18 minutes. They should feel dry to the touch but still have a soft center. After baking, let the cookies cool on a wire rack.

Once they’ve cooled completely, store the Basler Brunsli in an airtight tin. These cookies will keep for at least a month, so they’re perfect for preparing in advance for the holiday season! Enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Basler Brunsli

Chocolate Quality: You can use high-quality dark chocolate or even baking chocolate. The cookies will turn out great no matter what kind you choose.
Shaping: These cookies are best kept simple when it comes to shape. Avoid intricate cutters as the dough is a bit coarse. Stick to hearts, circles, or squares.
Kirsch Substitution: If you don’t have kirsch (a cherry brandy), dark rum is an excellent substitute and will still give the cookies that lovely, warm depth of flavor.
Rolling Tip: Be sure to use enough sugar on your work surface when rolling out the dough. It helps prevent sticking and adds a nice touch of sweetness to the finished cookies.

Why You’ll Love Basler Brunsli

These cookies are perfect for those who enjoy a more decadent, chewy texture in their holiday treats. The combination of rich chocolate, almonds, and subtle spices like cinnamon and cloves will fill your kitchen with the most comforting winter aromas. Plus, they’re gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy them. Whether you’re nibbling on one with a cup of tea or sharing them with friends and family, Basler Brunsli are bound to become a holiday favorite.

So, go ahead and give these delightful Swiss cookies a try—they’ll make your Christmas baking even sweeter!

Enjoy these flavorful Swiss treats with a cup of coffee or tea!