Christmas cooking doesn't have to mean spending all day in the kitchen. Whether you're planning a holiday party, putting together a dessert table, or looking for something sweet to share with family and friends, a few simple recipes can make the season feel extra special. These 5 easy Christmas recipes bring plenty of festive flavor without making your holiday preparations unnecessarily complicated. From flaky cranberry brie bites to rich...
Make-ahead mashed potatoes are the secret to a calm holiday dinner. Cream cheese and sour cream keep them silky and flavorful even after a day or two in the fridge, so you can check one side off your list early. This creamy make ahead mashed potatoes recipe uses Yukon Gold potatoes and rich dairy for the fluffiest holiday mashed potatoes. They are an easy mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving and Christmas that reheat beautifully in the oven or slow...
1 halal beef roast (4 to 5 pounds; choose a cut suitable for roasting) This easy honey glazed beef roast is a juicy baked beef roast for holiday that feeds a crowd. The glaze is made with simple pantry ingredients and takes only minutes to stir together. Recipe at a Glance Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 2 hours Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes (plus 15 minutes resting) Servings 16 servings Category Dinner / Holiday Why You’ll Love This...
Hot spinach artichoke dip is the party appetizer that disappears in minutes: creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and baked until bubbly and golden on top. It is rich, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make. This easy spinach artichoke dip recipe uses cream cheese, sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan for a perfectly creamy texture. It is a make ahead spinach artichoke dip that works for Christmas parties, game day, and any gathering. Recipe at a...
Cut-out sugar cookies are the heart of holiday baking: buttery, vanilla-scented, and sturdy enough to hold sharp edges while staying soft in the middle. Roll them out, cut your favorite shapes, and decorate with a simple glossy icing. This soft cut-out sugar cookie recipe is an easy no-spread sugar cookie that works with any cookie cutter. It is a classic Christmas sugar cookie recipe with simple icing that is perfect for family decorating days....
Pecan pie bars with shortbread crust deliver a buttery base and a glossy nut filled topping in easy to share squares. A press in crust takes the place of rolled pastry, while brown sugar, corn syrup and vanilla give the filling its familiar caramel like flavor. Chopped pecans make each bar easier to slice and bite. Make these for a fall gathering or holiday tray. Plan for two hours of cooling after baking so the slab lifts cleanly and slices...
Baked feta pasta with spinach combines juicy roasted tomatoes, tangy cheese and tender pasta in a creamy sauce made right in the baking dish. The oven softens a block of feta while cherry tomatoes burst around it. Stirring them together with a little starchy pasta water creates a sauce that clings to every twist. Baby spinach wilts in the hot sauce without another pan. This four portion dinner takes about 45 minutes, with most sauce cooking...
Honey garlic salmon brings a glossy, savory sweet glaze to a simple skillet dinner. Fresh garlic, lemon juice and soy sauce balance the honey, so the sauce tastes bright as well as rich. The salmon cooks first, then returns to the pan just long enough to become coated in the bubbling glaze. Four similarly thick fillets cook more evenly. Dinner takes about 25 minutes; rice and steamed broccoli make useful sides. Recipe at a Glance Prep 10 minutes...
White chicken chili with green chiles turns leftover chicken and pantry beans into a comforting dinner with very little chopping. Tender chicken, sweet corn and mild peppers simmer in a cumin scented broth, while mashed beans give the pot body without flour. A spoonful of sour cream softens the heat and makes each bowl gently creamy. Six servings take about 40 minutes. Add lime at the end for freshness and offer extra toppings separately. Recipe...
A cranberry pecan cheese ball is the classic holiday appetizer that never fails to disappear. Creamy, tangy cheese is studded with sweet-tart cranberries and green onions, then rolled in crunchy toasted pecans. This easy holiday cheese ball takes about 15 minutes to make and is the perfect make ahead cheese ball with cream cheese and cheddar. Serve it with crackers, pretzels, or apple slices for a festive party appetizer. Recipe at a Glance Prep...
