My Dog Tried This Ice Cream For Pups And Here's What She Thought

dog ice cream

Lucy, my three-year-old schnauzer mix, has a major sweet tooth, or really any kind of tooth. She loves food and will literally bite the hand that feeds her for the tiniest nibble. She’ll do just about anything for food. And she especially loves yogurt and ice cream until we discovered that she’s lactose-intolerant. This isn't uncommon — according to the AKC (American Kennel Club), lots of dogs are lactose intolerant, so they struggle with some of the foods they (and we) love most like cheeses, yogurts, and ice creams.

Photo via Ollie x Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Lucky for her, we discovered Ollie x Van Leeuwen Ice Cream’s nondairy ice cream for dogs. You can shop it at Van Leeuwen scoop shops across the country, as well as at most Petco locations and online. Ollie subscribers can add it to their orders, or join Ollie by June 13 for a free pint with purchase!

Puppy Love

Lucy's POV: First off, the smell! The scent of peanut butter, my fave, caused my tail to start wagging furiously. Then came the taste. The non-dairy ice cream is sweet and salty, with swirls of delicious peanut butter. One word: Drool! No belly aches here. Every lick = pure bliss. Paws-up from me!

But seriously, she LOVED it. She followed me back to the freezer hoping to catch another lick. She even rang her "bells" to go outside again, hoping there'd still be more there, lol

I’ve never seen her so excited for a treat – and she LOVES treats. I'm smitten with the idea of serving it for her birthday! BTW, yes, I also took a taste and it was really tasty and not super sweet! Exactly as Lucy describes.;)

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Header image via Shutterstock; Lucy images provided by author

No-bake Halloween treats are the perfect solution for quick and easy festive desserts. Whether you’re volunteering for a school party or a neighborhood hang pre-trick or treating, these easy no-bake treats are a MUST for quick entertaining and require no oven! Pick out your favoritefestive cupcake recipe and break out your tried-and-true Halloween snack mixes, because all of your spooky get-togethers are about to get wild. We have a few cocktail "treats" for adults too! From chocolate-dipped pretzel broomsticks to ghosty cake pops, these spooky and seasonal treats are ideal for Halloween parties or as a fun activity with kids, without the hassle of baking. Read on for 65 of the easiest and most festive no-bake Halloween treatswe love!

Ghost Cake Pops

Store-bought cake and candy eyes make a super fun and totally delicious holiday treat that will impress kids and party guests alike! (via Hello Little Home)

Chocolate Caramel-Covered Banana Goblins

These goofy goblins are just as delicious as they are adorable. Plus, since you’re snacking on potassium-rich bananas, you don’t have to feel bad about the chocolate and caramel. (via Handmade Charlotte)

Trick or Treat Mummy Nuggets

There’s no easier way to make a cute Halloween treat than by using snacks you already have in your house. These mummy nuggets would be a fun project to keep kids busy while practicing their artistic skills. Just don’t be surprised if you find a lot missing. (via Easy Peasy Pleasy)

No Bake Protein Balls: Monster Cookie Edition

These no-cook, no-bake monster cookie protein balls are a fun and delicious after-school snack or lunch treat. They have the perfect amount of sweet without any potentially inflammatory sweeteners. Even the candy-coated pieces they recommend are made with minimally-processed ingredients! (via The Real Food Dieticians)

Graveyard Dirt Cups

We might be okay with being buried if it’s in six feet of chocolate cookies and pudding. Decorate your cups with edible bones and tombstones to really make it look like a cemetery. (via Sugar, Spice and Family Life)

Swirled Chocolate Butterscotch Bars

These deliciously easy homemade treats require no oven, very little prep time, almost no effort, made in one bowl, and make the perfect homemade Halloween “candy bar." (via Half Baked Harvest)

Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip

Please a crowd with this 5-ingredient dip that's super creamy and topped with crunchy toffee bits. (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Candy Corn Cookie Bark

Somehow you always have candy corn left over at the end of Halloween (heck, you may have some left from last year). Put it to good use by making this gift-worthy cookie bark that showcases all of the Halloween colors we know and love. (via Grace and Good Eats)

Butterfinger Fudge

This homemade spin on one of Halloween’s staple sweets is one that will make you very proud of yourself. It’s not every day you can say you made candy that’s better than the original. (via A Bajillion Recipes)

Candy Corn Krispie Treat Pretzel Pops

These treats aren’t just no-bake; they’re no-cook at all. Take advantage of store-bought Rice Krispies to form your candy corn look-alike, and you won’t even break a sweat. (via Love from the Oven)

Homemade Candy Bars

In case your local grocery store is all out of your favorite candy come Halloween, you can always make your own! Try experimenting with homemade Snickers and Twix, to start. (via Brit + Co)

Worms and Dirt

Make this classic Halloween treat for kids without refined-sugar, dairy, and gluten, but still filled with chocolatey flavor. There's an option to use store-bought chocolate cookies, making it easy and no bake! (via Clean Cuisine)

No Bake Monster Bars

These protein-packed peanut butter chocolate bars are perfect for Halloween and fall snacks, just keep them in the fridge or freezer so you always have a healthy treat within reach. (via Two Peas and Their Pod)

Candy Corn Popcorn

Since we can’t enjoy candy corn year-round, let’s go overboard this whole month. This no-bake snack doubles the fun with candy corn popcorn served in a tricolor waffle cone. (via Brit + Co)

No Bake Vegan Chocolate Almond Coconut Bars

These no bake bars are a mix of healthy and delicious with Medjool dates, coconut, almonds, cocoa powder and chocolate chips.(via Vanilla and Bean)

Halloween Banana Popsicles

If you’re looking for a healthier Halloween snack or if you tend to have those hot Indian summers that won’t quit, these banana fruit pops are the way to go! (via Food Bank of the Southern Tier)

Halloween Chocolate Bars

Did you know you could make candy corn and Oreo-filled brownies without even turning on your oven? The result is thick and fudgy, just what you want for Halloween. (via Homemaking Hacks)

Frankengoblin Jello Shots

Oreos and Jello. What could be better? These cookie jiggler shooters will scare your creepy socks off. (via Brit + Co)

No-Bake Orange Curd Mini Cheesecakes

These orange curd dessert are the perfect Halloween treat for potluck parties. You just need crust, cheesecake filling, and orange curd, so easy it's scary! (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)

Frankenstein Twinkies Pops

How cute are these guys? Just when you thought Twinkies couldn’t get any better, this happens. (via This Silly Girl’s Kitchen)

Black Cat Cookies

Our favorite thing about these ominous feline bites is that the cookies are pre-made. Being totally smothered in melted chocolate helps too. Me-ow. (via Hungry Happenings)

Ghost Crackers

It definitely doesn’t get much cuter than these. If you can stop playing with the decorations long enough to taste the crackers, the sweet and salty flavor will be simply addicting. (via Cake Wiz)

No Bake Chocolate Lasagna

Make four layers of yumminess in this incredibly easy to make dessert, including a no-bake oreo cookie crust, instant chocolate pudding, cream cheese fluff, and whipped topping. Add orange sprinkles to make it extra Halloween-y! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Here's another super easy cake you can top with your Halloween toppings if you like. Make it in about 10 minutes with graham crackers, pudding, whipped topping, and chocolate frosting! (via Culinary Hill)

Homemade Almond Joy and Mounds Bars

It seems these candy bars only make an appearance come Halloween. But we’re willing to bet the homemade version will stick around all year. Yeah, they’re that good. (via Marin Mama Cooks)

Mummy Truffles

These mummy truffle bites don’t have a trace of “scary,” thanks to the decadent pumpkin cheesecake filling. Once you get past the blaring red eyes, it’s nothing but sweet and creamy dessert goodness. (via Creme de la Crumb)

Jack Skellington Donut Pops

he Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic movie that is on repeat around Halloween. Give the star the credit he deserves by making these snackable donut pops adorned with Jack’s loveable skeleton face. (via Finding Zest)

Vegan Twix Bars

Something tells us the word “healthy” never comes to mind when you’re eating a Twix. That’s all about to change with this chocolatey vegan dupe. (via Healthful Pursuit)

Mini Phyllo Bites

Phyllo shells are the gateway to endless dessert possibilities. Repurpose your leftover candy minis to form a new and improved treat that you’ll make year after year. (via Nifty Mom)

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

This easy no-bake pumpkin pie cheesecake is creamy and delicious and the perfect Halloween time dessert. (via Feel Good Foodie)

No Bake Oreo Cheesecake Parfait

What can you do with a couple of Oreos and a can of Fanta? No, this isn’t a joke; those are the two main ingredients to this simple Halloween parfait. Dig in! (via Cook With Manali)

Peanut Butter Candy Corn Bark

You can’t go wrong with pretzels and peanut butter. The sweet/salty combo is to die for, and you could easily package it and give back to trick-or-treaters. (via Something Swanky)

Candy Dipped Pretzel Rods

Halloween sprinkles and colored candy melts make for a fun autumn day in. Make your own masterpiece on a pretzel rod that is both beautiful AND delicious. (via Love Bakes Good Cakes)

Easy No-Bake Halloween Treats

These easy treats take just four ingredients! (via Chelsea’s Messy Apron)

Cookie Dough Mummies

What lurks inside these truffles isn’t a mummified body part, but a sweet ball of luscious cookie dough that’s egg-free, of course. (via Catch My Party)

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Pumpkin and peanut butter are like Halloween’s version of the PB&J. As if that isn’t reason enough, sandwich them between two pretzels for a little bit of crunch and saltiness. (via Fresh April Flours)

Easy Pumpkin Patties

Whip up these festive homemade candies for a treat that will put your actual Halloween candy to shame. Each bite is as buttery and sugary as the last. (via Mom on Timeout)

Vampire Donuts

These frighteningly delicious donuts double as a snack and a party favor. Once your guests inhale their donut, they’ll sport the vampire fangs all night long. (via She Knows)

Pumpkin S’moreos

Here’s a crazy idea: Let’s combine summer’s favorite treat with milk’s favorite cookie and Halloween’s favorite flavor. Yum, yum, yum. (via Brit + Co)

Halloween Pretzels

There are so many options when it comes to decorating pretzels for Halloween — just let your imagination run wild. Although, the owls are quite a hoot. (via The Monday Box)

Witch Hat Surprise Cookies

Inside the barrel of this chocolate ice cream cone there’s a bevy of various candies waiting to surprise their trick-or-treater. Kids will love the unexpected treat, and you’ll have fun making them. (via It’s Always Autumn)

Homemade Caramel Corn

Looking for an easy-to-make treat that will ease any craving? Look no further, because this Halloween-friendly popcorn will do the trick. (via I Heart Naptime)

No Bake S'Mores Cheesecake

Impress your Halloween guests with this no bake s'mores cheesecake, made with a graham cracker crust, no bake cheesecake filling, chocolate ganache, and toasted marshmallow meringue. (via Butternut Bakery)

Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow

Nibbles are essential at any Halloween party, and puppy chow is always a crowd favorite. Give it a fall update with pumpkin spice and candy pumpkins and TRY not to get addicted. (via Sally’s Baking Addiction)

Pumpkin Fudge Spice

Trying to stay healthy this fall? This Paleo-approved, 100-percent-vegan fudge totally has your back. (via Paleo Running Mama)

No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

It’s hard to believe something as indulgent and rich as a cheesecake could be no-bake, but it’s true. Bonus points for the decorative pumpkin marshmallows on top. (via Jane’s Patisserie)

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter M&M Balls

Are they cake pops? Butter balls? Candy? Cookies?? You be the judge. Whatever you call them, these M&M-infused balls are jaw-droppingly peanut buttery. (via Buzzfeed)

No-Bake Sugar Wafer Frankenstein Cookies

How adorable are these mini cookies resembling Frankenstein’s monster? And the best part: All you need to make them are sugar wafers, green candy melt, chocolate sprinkles, and candy eyes. (via Shaken Together)

Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffle Mummies

What gives these truffles their mummy-like appearance? Simple food coloring and an extra few drizzles of white frosting. (via La Creme de la Crumb)

No Bake Peanut Butter Icebox Cake

This uber-sweet dessert sandwiches peanut butter pudding between peanut butter cookies. It’s basically a PB-lover’s dream come true. (via Crazy for Crust)

Caramel Apple Nachos

Sure, these are basically just sliced Granny Smith apples drizzled with a few choice sweeteners (namely, white chocolate, chocolate chips, Heath bar bigs, and caramel). But EVERYTHING is better in nacho form, right? (via Life in the Lofthouse)

Halloween Monster Marshmallow Melts

These super cute marshmallow treats allow you to get creative. Don’t feel limited to green coloring and two eyes: Throw other colors in there and make them with one eye, three eyes, or eyes everywhere! (via Finding Zest)

Mickey Mouse Halloween Cookies

Oreos are a delightful invention. In addition to coming in tons of crazy flavors, they also come in both normal-sized and mini form. And with that distinction comes the ability to create Mickey Mouse-shaped cookies. (via Living Locurto)

No Bake Pumpkin Pie in a Jar

Looking for a delicious dessert you can take on the go? This pumpkin pie in a jar should do the trick. (via Life Love and Sugar)

No-Bake Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars

These bars are vegan and gluten-free and so easy to make with simple ingredients like cashews, maple syrup, dates and gluten-free old fashioned oats. (via RachL Mansfield)

Oreo Cookie Cups With Marshmallow Cream

Here’s another delicious and Halloween-inspired use for your Oreos. The cookie cups are made not only with America’s favorite cookie, but also powdered sugar, butter, marshmallow cream, vanilla, and, of course, sprinkles. (via Two Sisters Crafting)

Halloween Spider Donuts

Okay, so the reason these donuts are no bake is because you have to go out and buy the donuts ahead of time. The REAL magic happens when you add a chocolate donut hole on top and give the creature some chocolate spider legs. (via The Semi Sweet Sisters)

No Bake Pumpkin Pie Balls

These gluten-free, vegan pumpkin pie balls are great for your health-conscious friends (not to mention gluten-intolerant trick-or-treaters). With ingredients like pure maple syrup, cinnamon, pumpkin puree, and almond flour, you really can’t go wrong. (via Gluten Free With LB)

Gummy Worm Ice

Surprise kids with these creepy crawlers, or use them in your Halloween cocktail! (via Brit + Co)

Reese’s Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Fair warning: You’re going to be tempted to eat these right away. But it’s imperative to let them chill for at least a few hours. Put them into the fridge to speed up the process. (via Mom on Time Out)

Witch Hat Cookies

Last but not least, a quintessential Halloween favorite: Things shaped like witch hats. In this case, chocolate kisses sitting atop chocolate-rimmed Ritz crackers. (via Dizzy Busy and Hungry)

Try These Adult Halloween Treats Too!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Shooters

Take your favorite Halloween candy up a notch with some chocolate vodka. Just make sure to pick up a skull-imprinted ice cube tray ahead of time to make it extra creepy. (via Brit + Co)

Creepy Petit Fours

Nothing says Halloween quite like a smattering of bite-sized blood. Shards of sugar make a just-as-creepy cake topper that will leave you shuddering. (via Brit + Co)

Blood and Bones Cocktail

A treat for adults! What could be creepier than bone-inspired jello shots? Floating them in a blood-red cocktail, of course. Cheers! (via Brit + Co)

Candy Corn Jello Shots

Let your partygoers shoot back these tasty shots of festive color and scary spirit. Pro Tip: Always make more than you think you need. (via Brit + Co)

Follow us on Pinterest for more easy + delicious recipe ideas.

Lead image via Clean Cuisine

"What would you do if your entire family, and your hometown, set you up to find love?" That's the question Ashley Williams poses in the first Small Town Setup trailer, coming to Hallmark+ in 2025. And if anyone has the answer, I have no doubt it's Hallmark — if anyone knows about warm, cozy, and sappy romance it's them! Even if you're not a huge reality dating show fan (or if you couldn't stop watching Reese Witherspoon's Love in Fairhope) this is one January TV show you won't want to miss.

Here's everything we know about Hallmark's dating show Small Town Setup, hosted by Ashley Williams.

'Small Town Setup' puts you right in a Hallmark movie.

All six episodes of Small Town Setup premieres on Hallmark+ on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and is hosted by Ashley Williams, who you'll recognize from movies like Falling Together and Two Tickets to Paradise as well as How I Met Your Mother.

Just like your favorite Hallmark movies are all about finding love, Small Town Setup focuses on singles coupling up. The show will follow a single who "has made it in the big city, but has yet to find love." And their concerned parents (definitely a Hallmark trope and an IRL trope...) get the whole neighborhood involved in finding three potential matches.

"When the singleton arrives home for a visit, they are presented with dating options curated by their hometown. After three dates, will they find love in their hometown? Or head back to the big city? All is revealed at a big town hall event, full of heart, warmth, and a few laughs along the way."

Okay, getting the entire town involved in my love life sounds crazy, but the whole community coming together for a town hall event sounds exactly like the kind of sweet and sappy event my life needs. (Listen!! Dating as a 20-something in the city is harder than I expected...)

Throughout the trailer we see our singles looking for love around their hometown, going on small town dates, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. Yeah...I'll be tuning in — especially since Small Town Setup is totally giving Gilmore Girls.

Check out the 11 New January 2025 Movies Viewers Will Adore — and you'll want to add to your calendar ASAP!

Here at Brit+Co, we're suckers for a good pun. We mean, Fourth of Jul-ice cream is TOO GOOD. It also begs the question: What is Fourth of Jul-ice cream? The obvious answer is a cold red, white and blue milky, sugary slap in the face. In a good way. Keep reading for three ways to get your fix. We've got a classic cone, a layered milkshake and a childhood recipe for ice cream “soup" (you all know what that is).

Brit + Co

Ingredients:

Brit + Co

— coconut (or other white) ice cream

— red and blue gel food coloring

Instructions:

Brit + Co

1. Scoop ice cream into a bowl.

2. Add food coloring and mix well.

For all three treats, you will need red, white and blue ice cream. There are red and blue flavors on the market, but we couldn't find any, so we used dye. Feel free to buy or dye.

Brit + Co

You gotta be quick with the licks to keep this from melting on your hand. We didn’t go with classic Neapolitan flavors (strawberry, vanilla, chocolate), but you could easily do so by dyeing the strawberry a deeper red and using white chocolate for the blue. Our version is solid coconut, but follow your heart!

Red, White and Blue Neapolitan

Brit + Co

Take note of the round container we used for this. It was a fail! We highly recommend you use a bread tin instead. To make your ice cream, scoop the more solid white ice cream into a strip down the middle of the tin. This will act as a barrier for the other two, which will be in a more soup-like form due to mixing in the food coloring. Add red to one side and blue to the other. Place it in the freezer for around two hours.

Brit + Co

Here's where the fail happened. When we tried to scoop the ice cream, because it was in a round tin, the act of pulling the scoop towards me spun ALL of the ice cream around in a circle. Whoops! I managed to get some in the end, but it wasn't ideal.

Brit + Co

The proper way to eat ice cream is two scoops on a cone.

Brit + Co

Ice cream: a true American patriot.

Brit + Co

It took us five stores to find dragon fruit and when we sliced it open, it was a vibrant magenta rather than the white we expected. Sweet surprise in our book and a perfect topping for a layered milkshake.

Fourth of July Layered Milkshake

Brit + Co

Mix and pour, mix and pour, mix and pour. If you want a thinner shake, add a bit of milk to your ice cream before you pour it in the glass.

Brit + Co

Top with dragon fruit and pocky or any other fruit/candy combo you love.

Brit + Co

We couldn't stop staring at these. They're so pretty!

Brit + Co

This one is a callback to childhood. When we were kids, we loved mixing my ice cream until it was liquid and then pretending it was soup. What is with that? Why would we want to turn DESSERT into something that would normally be dinner or a side?

Ice Cream “Soup"

Brit + Co

All you need to do for this award-winning “recipe” is mix your ice cream until it is the perfect consistency. Then add toppings. This is a dessert soup, after all, so toppings can consist of candy, sprinkles and fruit.

Brit + Co

Meet your match, smoothie bowl.

Brit + Co

Other ideas for toppings include blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, mochi, chia seeds and white chocolate. Don’t be afraid to add all different shades of red, white and blue. Your toppings don’t all need to be bold primary colors.

Brit + Co

We hope we've inspired you to get creative with your ice cream this year! Happy Fourth of July!

Follow us on Pinterest for more recipe ideas!

This post has been updated.

Tourism can be a blessing for the economy of many cities around the world, but it often comes at a price. Destinations like Venice and Bali are iconic for a reason — they’re unique, breathtaking places that lure travelers from around the globe. But when a travel destination becomes too popular, it risks losing its charm and overcrowding can strain infrastructure, inflate costs for locals, and disrupt the peace and quiet of small, serene towns.

Here are 12 destinations that have struggled with overtourism. The good news? Many are implementing smart strategies to balance tourism with sustainability. Planning to visit? Consider booking during the off-season for a more authentic and enjoyable experience or try these hidden gems.

Pixabay

Venice, Italy

Cruise ships and swarms of tourists have overwhelmed this picturesque city, leading to overcrowded canals, damaged infrastructure, and skyrocketing prices. The local population is dwindling as Venetians leave due to the city’s unsustainable tourism boom. Last spring, in an effort to manage the influx, the city put into effect an entry fee for day-trippers and has limited cruise ships docking its shores.

Oleksandr P

Bali, Indonesia

Once an idyllic paradise, Bali now suffers from traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and overcrowded beaches. The island’s resources are strained under the weight of mass tourism, but there are efforts underway to promote sustainability like putting a moratorium on new hotels.

Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

Machu Picchu, Peru

Overtourism has led to erosion and damage to this ancient Incan citadel. A quota system and mandatory guides are helping preserve this popular South American destination.

Darren Lawrence

Tulum, Mexico

Once a tranquil paradise known for its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and eco-chic vibe, Tulum has become a cautionary tale of overtourism. The surge in popularity, fueled by Instagram-worthy scenery, has brought overcrowding, environmental strain, and rising costs. The Guardianreported that locals are being pushed out by developers and despite the thinking that tourism helps local communities, poverty nearly doubled between 2015 and 2020. Local ecosystems, including fragile mangroves and coral reefs, are threatened by unchecked construction and pollution too. The local ruins have implemented stricter rules like no food or drink to limit trash and environmental impact from tourists.

Jimmy Teoh

Santorini, Greece

Instagram fame has turned this once-serene island into a tourist hotspot. Narrow streets are perpetually clogged, and locals are struggling with soaring costs of living due to tourism demand. The government has since capped the number of daily cruise ship visitors to keep overtourism at bay.

Chait Goli

Cinque Terre, Italy

Known for its colorful cliffside villages and breathtaking coastal views, these once-quiet fishing towns now see millions of visitors annually, way more than they can handle. To combat issues like congestion and cruise ships, local authorities have introduced visitor caps and encourage sustainable travel to protect Cinque Terre’s charm.

Rudy Kirchner

Reykjavík, Iceland

Is there anyone not going to Iceland these days? A small country with breathtaking landscapes, Iceland has been overwhelmed by tourists flocking to Instagram-famous sites like the Blue Lagoon and Diamond Beach. It's best to travel during the off season (November to April) and travel to lesser known spots like the Sturlungalaug hot spring.

youseflns

Maya Bay, Thailand (Phi Phi Islands)

This iconic beach, popularized by the DiCaprio film The Beach, suffered ecological devastation from hordes of visitors and anchored boats. Coral reefs were destroyed, and the beach was closed for years to allow recovery. It has since reopened after a huge revitalization project, but they have introduced visitor caps.

Pixabay

Kyoto, Japan

Traditionally quiet streets of this ancient capital city now teem with tourists during peak season. An increase in litter from tourists has required the city to install more trash bins to handle the crowds, and peaceful geishas are often chased down for photos. To mitigate the problem, Kyoto is considering running special buses to popular sites to reduce overcrowding, and temples and shrines are encouraging visitors to come early in the morning.

Prabin Sunar

Mount Everest, Nepal

The ultimate challenge for adventurers, Mount Everest has experienced overcrowding on the slopes and at base camps, leading to dangerous conditions, with litter and human waste piling up on the mountain. Permits are now harder to get, and stricter regulations for climbers are being enforced.

Mateusz Popek

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Game of Thrones effect brought an influx of fans to this medieval city. Overcrowded streets and cruise ship arrivals have made it difficult to appreciate its beauty. The local government is taking steps to limit daily visitors and impose stricter cruise ship regulations.

Helena I

Lisbon, Portugal

Short-term rentals dominate the housing market now, thanks to affordable flights and the digital nomad craze. This has led to skyrocketing rents and displaced locals. Historic neighborhoods are inundated with tourists, making them less charming too. Everything from public transport to waste management struggles to keep pace with the influx. I went in December and it still felt a bit like Disneyland. Douro Valley and Madeira might be more favorable destinations any time of year.

Cure your wanderlust in 2025! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more travel ideas!

Heaping plates of Christmas cookies are synonymous with the holidays. It seems that nearly every country around the globe has their own variation on the holiday classic. In fact, some of these regions have been making their version of Christmas cookies for literal hundreds of years.

If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your heritage, or maybe just want a little baking inspiration, check out our picks for the yummiest Christmas cookies from around the world.

The Noshery

Mantecaditos con Guayaba

These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

Broma Bakery

Meringues

French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

Alfajores

Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

Fancy Peasant

Melomakarona

These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

Very Eatalian

Baci di Dama

The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

Cooking Classy

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

Olivia’s Cuisine

Basler Brunsli

If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

Cilantro Parsley

Buñuelos

These tender miniature fritters from Mexico are a mix between a donut and cookie. Whatever you want to call them, they’re delicious. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Chef Lindsey Farr

Apricot Kolachys

The Hungarians definitely know what’s up when tart apricot jam gets wrapped in a blanket of flaky pastry. They’re a bright spot on a cold Christmas day. (via Chef Lindsey Farr)

Life, Love and Sugar

Cutout Sugar Cookies

In the United States, a plate of these festively decorated sugar cookies is just what Santa ordered. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

Saveur

Polvorones

You’ll find these simple pecan shortbread cookies all over Mexico around this time of year. The coating of powdered sugar and canela, a type of Mexican cinnamon, really bring the flavor to the next level. (via Saveur)

A Healthy Life for Me

Pignoli

These Italian Christmas cookies are made of a chewy almond base and topped with pine nuts. (via A Healthy Life for Me)

Fancy Peasant

Kourabiedes

These Greek Christmas cookies feature a buttery biscuit topped with mass amounts of powdered sugar. (via Fancy Peasant)

Does your family have a traditional cookie recipe for the holidays? Tag us @BritandBo in your Instagram photos and let us know!

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.