Most holiday inspiration comes from seeing someone else do it. You can try it too! I collected 15 delicious Christmas recipes to inspire your inner chef this season. Put on an apron, turn on your favorite cooking video, and let’s create something amazing!
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1) Gingerbread House Recipe by Tasty
The scent of the house is a great reason to do it! The house is a mix of baking craft and family craft night.
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Gingerbread House Recipe by Tasty
Ingredients
Method
- Beat the butter and brown sugar, then mix in the molasses and egg.
- Stir in the flour and spices to form a firm dough, then chill 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough thick and cut into wall and roof panels using a template, then bake at 350F for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Cool the panels completely until hard and flat.
- Pipe royal icing along the edges and assemble the walls, letting them set before adding the roof.
- Decorate with candy and a snowy dusting of powdered sugar.
Notes
2) Classic Eggnog by Alton Brown
When you make eggnog at home for the holidays, it feels and smells better than the box stuff at the store. It also feels like a holiday party.
Classic Eggnog by Alton Brown
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until pale and thick.
- Warm the milk with the nutmeg until steaming, then slowly whisk it into the yolks.
- Return the mixture to the pan and stir over low heat until slightly thickened.
- Strain into a pitcher and stir in the vanilla, then chill until cold.
- Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks and fold it into the chilled base before serving.
Notes
3) Holiday Pecan Pie from Sally's Baking Addiction
Pecan pie is super yummy and rich, and is the dessert that shows the holidays have officially began!
Holiday Pecan Pie from Sally's Baking Addiction
Ingredients
Method
- Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pan and scatter the pecans across the bottom.
- Whisk the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the filling over the pecans, which will float to the top.
- Bake at 350F for 50 to 55 minutes until the center is just set with a slight jiggle.
- Cool completely so the filling firms up before slicing.
Notes
4) Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Trees by Delish
Flaky puff pastry trees dusted with cinnamon sugar make an adorable and super quick festive treat!
Cinnamon Sugar Christmas Trees by Delish
Ingredients
Method
- Roll out the puff pastry and brush it all over with melted butter.
- Stir the sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle it evenly across the pastry.
- Cut the pastry into triangle tree shapes using a knife.
- Press a pretzel stick into the base of each triangle to form a trunk.
- Bake at 400F for 12 to 15 minutes until puffed and golden.
Notes
5) Perfect Roast Turkey by Jamie Oliver
Every holiday table yearns for a golden and juicy turkey as the centerpiece, and guess what? It’s a lot easier than you think!
Perfect Roast Turkey by Jamie Oliver
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the turkey dry and loosen the skin over the breast with your fingers.
- Mash the butter with the herbs, salt, and pepper, then rub it under and over the skin.
- Stuff the cavity with the lemon and onion.
- Roast at 325F, basting occasionally, for about three hours until a thermometer reads 165F in the thigh.
- Tent with foil and rest the turkey 20 minutes before carving.
Notes
6) Peppermint Bark from Allrecipes
Quick and easy layered chocolate and crushed candy canes. These take minutes to prepare and will make you look like a genius this holiday season.
Peppermint Bark from Allrecipes
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the dark chocolate, stir in half the peppermint extract, and spread it thin on the parchment.
- Chill until just firm, about 15 minutes.
- Melt the white chocolate with the remaining extract and pour it over the dark layer.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top, chill until solid, and break into pieces.
Notes
7) Christmas Sugar Cookies by Preppy Kitchen
Sugar cookies with soft centers and crisp edges are just waiting to be cut into stars and snowflakes so kids can frost them!
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Christmas Sugar Cookies by Preppy Kitchen
Ingredients
Method
- Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Mix in the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt until a smooth dough forms.
- Roll the dough to a quarter inch and chill 30 minutes, then cut into festive shapes.
- Bake at 350F for 9 to 10 minutes until the edges are barely set, then cool fully.
- Decorate with royal icing and sprinkles once the cookies are completely cool.
Notes
8) Yule Log Cake by Natasha's Kitchen
This is a chocolate sponge roll that resembles a snowy log and is so much easier to make than you'd think.
Yule Log Cake by Natasha's Kitchen
Ingredients
Method
- Beat the eggs and sugar until thick and pale, then fold in the flour and cocoa.
- Spread the batter on a lined sheet pan and bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Turn the warm sponge onto a sugared towel and roll it up to set its shape, then cool.
- Whip the cream, unroll the sponge, spread the cream, and roll it back up.
- Frost the outside with chocolate frosting, drag a fork through for bark texture, and dust with powdered sugar like snow.
Notes
9) Spicy Mulled Wine by BBC Good Food
Cozy and inviting, a pot of mulled wine fills your entire home with the aroma of a holiday market.
Spicy Mulled Wine by BBC Good Food
Ingredients
Method
- Pour the wine into a saucepan and add the orange slices and honey.
- Drop in the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.
- Warm the mixture over low heat without letting it boil.
- Let it gently steep for 15 to 20 minutes so the spices infuse.
- Strain into mugs and serve warm with an extra orange slice.
Notes
10) Stuffed Ornament Peppers by Tastemade
Mini peppers stuffed and dressed up like little ornaments, they're a secretly good for you festive treat!
Stuffed Ornament Peppers by Tastemade
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the tops off the mini peppers and scoop out the seeds.
- Mix the cream cheese, cheddar, chives, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Pipe or spoon the filling into each pepper.
- Press a small piece of pretzel stick into the top of each to look like an ornament hook.
- Arrange on a platter and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
11) Buttery Mashed Potatoes by Chef John
Buttery, pillowy mashed potatoes will always be a hit at Christmas dinner!
Buttery Mashed Potatoes by Chef John
Ingredients
Method
- Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water until fork-tender, about 18 minutes.
- Drain well and return the potatoes to the warm pot to dry for a minute.
- Mash the potatoes with the butter until it melts in.
- Stir in the warm cream a little at a time until smooth and fluffy.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve hot with an extra pat of butter on top.
Notes
12) Warm Bread Pudding by Ina Garten
Warm hugs after dinner definitely sound appealing! The bread pudding made with custard that has cinnamon sprinkled on top is the dessert that fits the description perfectly.
Warm Bread Pudding by Ina Garten
Ingredients
Method
- Spread the bread cubes in a buttered baking dish and scatter the raisins over them.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon together.
- Pour the custard over the bread and press down so every cube soaks.
- Let it sit 15 minutes, then bake at 350F for 40 to 45 minutes until set and golden.
- Cool slightly and serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar.
Notes
13) Candied Yams by Simply Recipes
Sweet sticky candied yams with a dash of cinnamon are holiday sides that walk the fine line into dessert, and we adore it.
Candied Yams by Simply Recipes
Ingredients
Method
- Arrange the sliced yams in a buttered baking dish.
- Melt the butter with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla in a small pan.
- Pour the glaze evenly over the yams.
- Cover with foil and bake at 375F for 30 minutes.
- Uncover, baste with the glaze, and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until tender and bubbling.
Notes
14) Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Gratin from Food52
Brussels sprouts can't even win over the most skeptical tastebuds when they are covered with a warm yummy cheese sauce!
Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Gratin from Food52
Ingredients
Method
- Blanch the halved Brussels sprouts in boiling water for three minutes, then drain.
- Arrange them in a buttered baking dish and scatter the garlic over them.
- Pour the cream over the sprouts and sprinkle with the gruyere.
- Toss the breadcrumbs with melted butter and scatter on top.
- Bake at 400F for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
15) Roasted Chestnuts from Martha Stewart
It's a piece of class roasting chestnuts yourself and the aroma is simply nostalgic.
Roasted Chestnuts from Martha Stewart
Ingredients
Method
- Score an X into the flat side of each chestnut with a sharp knife.
- Soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
- Spread cut side up on a baking sheet.
- Roast at 425F for 20 to 25 minutes until the shells peel back at the cut.
- Peel while warm, then toss with melted butter and flaky salt.