Classic Russian Christmas Recipes Passed Down Through Generations

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Christmas in Russia is a joyous celebration filled with dozens of recipes. Despite the ban of its celebration during the age of the Soviet Union, Russians have persevered by passing down Christmas food and traditions. Russian Christmas is celebrated yearly from the evening of January 6 into January 7 due to its adherence to the Julian calendar.

In this collection, I’ve compiled 19 classic Russian Christmas recipes that have been passed down through generations. From cookies to drinks to appetizers to main courses, these recipes will fit in at any Russian Christmas celebration.

Sour Cream Bundt Coffee Cake

A round sour cream bundt coffee cake with a glossy, golden-brown crust sits on a wooden board, next to a knife and a checkered cloth.
Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

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Sour Cream Bundt Coffee Cake is a traditional Russian Christmas breakfast food. Russian Christmas usually involves overnight celebration, so there’s nothing better than eating this coffee cake afterwards. The cake involves a hallmark Russian ingredient, sour cream, along with cinnamon and vanilla for the perfect Christmas morning.

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Meringue Christmas Cookies

Close-up of a swirl of white meringue cookies on a white dish, reminiscent of traditional Russian Christmas food, with a soft, fluffy texture and a blurred background.
Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

Meringue Christmas Cookies are eaten in several countries around the world, including Russia. If you want to make the Russian version of these marshmallow-like cookies, be sure to top them with chocolate, nuts, and/or buttercream. Anyone you celebrate Christmas with is sure to love these meringue cookies.

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Crescent Almond Flavored Cookies

A wicker basket holds crescent-shaped almond cookies dusted with powdered sugar, arranged in a circular pattern—a delightful example of traditional Russian Christmas food.
Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

These Crescent Almond Flavored Cookies are also known as tea cakes and are a Russian Christmas essential. They are simple but delicious, featuring almond and vanilla extract along with powdered sugar. Crescent Almond Flavored Cookies can be dipped in tea or coffee to go along with any Russian Christmas meal.

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Russian Piroshki (Meat Hand Pies)

Close-up of two fried meat pies filled with ground beef and rice, with one pastry cut open to show the hearty filling.
Image Credit: Sweet + Savory

These Russian Piroshki (Meat Hand Pies) are fried leavened yeast dough with a meat and rice filling. They are typically eaten for Christmas eve dinner and Christmas lunch. This fluffy pillow dish is a version of the pirogi that can be seen in various iterations across Eastern Europe.

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Baked Pirozhki (Russian Meat Hand Pies)

A close-up of a plate with baked piroshki meat pies, one cut open into two halves to show a filling of ground meat and potatoes/
Image Credit: Sweet + Savory

If you’re not a big fan of frying, these Baked Pirozhki are for you. These have the same great taste that fried pirozhki have, but use mashed potatoes instead of rice. If you have leftover mashed potatoes from other parts of Christmas, these pirozhki are a great way to use them.

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Winter Kissel Recipe (Dried Fruit Soup)

A bowl of kissel, a dried fruit soup, with whole fruits and a cinnamon stick in a thick syrup with a spoon on the side
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

The Russians got it right when them and their ancestors created this sweet soup. Winter Kissel is a sweet, syrupy treat that will warm you up during the cold month of January when Russian Christmas is celebrated. Any dried fruit you have on hand along with honey and a stick of cinnamon will complete this recipe.

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Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

A plate of Russian Olivier salad with diced potatoes, vegetables, meat, hard boiled eggs and mayonnaise, sits on a table next to two glasses of sparkling beverage and a small wrapped gift.
Image Credit: Sweet + Savory

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad) is a satisfying dish that has potatoes, vegetables, meats and eggs. There are tons of variations, but here is one that your family can involve in Christmas this coming year. Olivier Salad can also be eaten during New Years, a tradition Russians began during the years of the Soviet Christmas ban.

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Classic Borscht

A bowl of red borscht beet soup, a classic Russian food, garnished with fresh dill and a dollop of sour cream. Slices of beets are visible in the reddish broth.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

You can’t write an article about Russian or Eastern European recipes without including Borscht like this Classic Borscht Recipe. This beet soup topped with sour cream is traditionally enjoyed year-round in Eastern Europe but especially during Christmas time. It’s the ultimate comfort food to warm you and your family up in the winter months.

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Shchavel Borscht (Sorrel Soup)

A white bowl of clear chicken sorrel soup with leafy sorrel greens and chunks of chicken placed next to a metal spoon on a dark surface.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

Shchavel Borscht (Sorrel Soup), additionally known as green borscht, is a soup that features the herb sorrel. Sorrel is bright and tart, sort of like if a lemon was an herb. The flavor of sorrel is complimented by potatoes, onion, pork loin chops, dill and sour cream for an amazing Russian Christmas soup.

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Russian Beet Salad

A blue bowl filled with a creamy beet salad garnished with chopped dill with whole beets visible in the background.
Image Credit: 12 Tomatoes

This Russian Beet Salad is a potato-less version of a classic Russian Christmas staple called vinagret. This is typically eaten as a cold side dish that dresses up the familiar beet. Mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, onion, celery and dill dress this salad that will go great with the rest of the food on your plate this Christmas.

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Russian Pelmeni

A light green plate of pelmeni garnished with chopped herbs and served on a green dish.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

Russian Pelmeni is another traditional pirogi variation that are stuffed with turkey, pork and onion. This recipe makes a large batch for your large family or to eat more than once during and after Christmas. They require a bit of effort but the tasty result is well worth it.

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Homemade Juice (Kompot)

A glass pitcher and a glass of kompot juice with ice, garnished with a lemon slice and strawberry, with a pink straw.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

Homemade Juice (Kompot) is a drink that is traditionally consumed with Russian Christmas meals. This recipe teaches you how to make it yourself for you and your Christmas guests to enjoy. It’s a bit like an traditional Russian version of a mocktail that is stored in a pitcher and can be served to multiple people.

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Best-Ever Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs topped with crumbled bacon and paprika, arranged on a blue plate.
Image Credit: It Is a Keeper

You may be surprised to learn that Deviled Eggs are a Russian Christmas food, as they are eaten for various holidays around the world. The Russians take the simple Deviled Egg and add ingredients like pickles or pickle juice. This recipe features bacon for even more flair.

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Blinis with Smoked Salmon

Small blinis, a classic Russian food, are topped with white crème fraîche, smoked salmon slices, and fresh dill sprigs and arranged on a white surface.
Image Credit: Recipe Tin Eats

Blinis are like mini savory pancakes that can be eaten any time of day. These Blinis with Smoked Salmon are a perfect handheld Russian Christmas appetizer. They have a great yeasty flavor complimented by salmon, dill, and crème fraîche, which is a thick heavy- cream-based spread.

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Eggplant Spread Recipe (Baklazhannaia Ikra)

Shredded eggplant and vegetable spread (Baklazhannaia Ikra) in a black Staub dish on a wooden surface, with two carrots and their green tops beside the dish.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

Baklazhannaia Ikra is a Slavic eggplant spread that translates to “poor man’s caviar”. It’s full of great veggies and can be eaten as a Christmas main course or appetizer. Serve it with crusty bread for the perfect bite every time.

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Sweet Cherry Filled Buns (Vatrushka Recipe)

A cherry vatrushka bun, a classic Russian Christmas food, is topped with crumbly streusel and whole cherries, served on a white plate with a fork and fresh cherries.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

These Sweet Cherry Filled Vatrushka Buns are a great Russian pastry for breakfast or dessert during Christmastime. Vatrushka usually is filled with farmer’s cheese, but this fruity version is no less sure to hit the spot. They are extremely fluffy and will melt in your mouth.

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Coulibiac of Salmon {Salmon Wellington}

A cross-section of salmon wellington, or coulibiac of salmon, with rice, spinach, and mushrooms inside puff pastry, topped with a slice of boiled egg and dill, served with a creamy sauce—a festive Russian Christmas food classic.
Image Credit: Ask Chef Dennis

Coulibiac of Salmon {Salmon Wellington} is another type of pirogi which contains several layers of tasty ingredients within the filling. These can include salmon, rice or buckwheat, hard boiled eggs, mushrooms, onions and dill. The recipe became extremely popular in Russia in the early part of the 20th century and has been passed down several generations since then.

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Selyodka Recipe (Pickled Herring or Trout)

Raw pickled salmon steaks with peppercorns and bay leaves arranged on a white plate.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

Selyodka is one of many pickled recipes enjoyed by Russians. It is traditionally eaten as part of the main course of a meal alongside various other complimentary dishes. This pickled fish is definitely a childhood favorite prepared by Russian grandmas everywhere.

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Angel Wing Cookies (Chrusciki)

A white plate of fried angel wing pastries, a classic Russian Christmas food, dusted with powdered sugar sits on a red polka dot napkin, with a small strainer of powdered sugar nearby.
Image Credit: Natasha’s Kitchen

Angel Wing Cookies (Chrusciki) are traditional crisp pastry ribbon cookies dusted in powdered sugar. Chrusciki are easy to scarf down several at a time, so don’t expect their to be leftovers after the holiday is done. These cookies are both crisp and tender and are super flavorful.

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Meet Christina

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Hi there, it’s nice to meet you!  I’m a recipe developer, author, TV contributor and recipe hoarder that shares tried and true recipes anyone can make.  It Is a Keeper started in 2010 as a hobby that quickly grew.  Spending time in the kitchen has always made me happy – whether I’m making an old favorite that I know by heart or trying a new recipe. You can learn more about me here. 

3 thoughts on “Classic Russian Christmas Recipes Passed Down Through Generations”

  2. Thank you for sharing these recipes! My second grader is doing a class project of Christmas around the world and they are supposed to bring in a food item that is eaten at Christmas for their country. Again, thank you for sharing.

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