Christmas Recipes

Meggan Hill

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Discover all of our best Christmas Recipes on Culinary Hill. Prime rib, baked ham, roasted turkey, all the side dishes, soups and salads, bread and rolls, desserts, drinks, and appetizers. It’s all here, organized by category. Cheers!

Prime rib cut into slices on a white platter with a serving fork.


 

Whether you mostly stick to a traditional Christmas menu year after year or are looking for fresh inspiration, these Christmas recipes can serve up a hearty helping of joy and happiness at any holiday table.

I’ve organized everything by category (starting with the sweets!) so you can browse and see what looks good. Discover delicious food, cozy drinks, and lots of sweet treats this holiday season!

Table of Contents

  1. Christmas Cookie Recipes
  2. Christmas Candy Recipes
  3. Christmas Dessert Recipes
  4. Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
  5. Christmas Dinner Side Dish Recipes
  6. Christmas Soups and Salads
  7. Christmas Bread Recipes
  8. Christmas Dinner Recipes
  9. Christmas Appetizer Recipes
  10. Christmas Drink Recipes
  11. Vegetarian Christmas Recipes
  12. Feast of the Seven Fishes

Whether you’re hosting a Baking Day, Cookie Exchange, or just baking for your family, here are our best Christmas Cookie Recipes to sweeten your holiday.

Frosted sugar cookies decorated for Christmas on a baking rack.

1

Christmas Sugar Cookies

These frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies are my grandma’s best recipe, so buttery and sweet! A family favorite. No Christmas is complete without them.
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Thumbprint cookies on a gray plate.

2

Thumbprint Cookies

Buttery and tender-crisp, these Thumbprint Cookies shine like gems on your Christmas cookie plate. Fill them with any jam you love and watch them disappear.
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Spritz cookies on a cooling rack.

3

Spritz Cookie Recipe

My mom's classic Spritz Cookies recipe is the only one you need! These bite-sized cookies are crunchy, sweet, and so festive thanks to a sprinkle of colored sugar.
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Pizzelle cookies being dusted with powdered sugar.

4

Pizzelle

An easy Pizzelle recipe for the classic Italian cookie, lightly sweetened and flavored with vanilla or anise. All you need are 6 ingredients and 1 pizzelle maker!
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Christmas Candy Recipes

These homemade candies feature nuts, peanut butter, candy canes, cookies, and plenty of chocolate! Many options are no-bake or just a few ingredients, too.

A stack of Christmas crack on a plate.

5

Christmas Crack

You'll love this salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy saltine cracker candy, sometimes known as Christmas Crack, and you can make it in 15 minutes with just 5 ingredients!
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No bake peanut butter balls on a white plate.

6

No Bake Peanut Butter Balls

With just 5 ingredients, learn how to make No Bake Peanut Butter Balls that will fly off the platter or make a stellar food gift idea. This easy homemade candy recipe is a winner at any holiday party (or on any day you want to taste like a holiday!).
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Rolo pretzel candies on a tray with Christmas sprinkles.

7

Rolo Pretzel Candies

Not all homemade candy recipes require a thermometer or tricky techniques! My 3-ingredient Rolo Pretzel Candies are the perfect quick and easy dessert recipe.
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Christmas Dessert Recipes

When you’re looking for something more than just cookies and candy, these cakes and pies might be just the thing. Some are Christmas-specific and others are just decadent sweets that should be enjoyed with loved ones all year round.

A cranberry wreath cake on a granite cake platter with a small plate of sugared cranberries next to it.

8

Cranberry Wreath Cake

Cranberry Wreath Cake is a luscious chocolate cake covered in sweet vanilla buttercream and is perfect for the holidays or any winter celebration. A crown of fresh rosemary and sugared cranberries makes a stunning finishing touch.
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Oreo brownie trifle assembled in a trifle dish.

9

Oreo Brownie Trifle

Layers of brownies, chocolate pudding, whipped topping, and crushed Oreo cookies star in this Oreo Brownie Trifle that's easy enough for any day but elegant enough for a holiday dessert.
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Cranberry cheesecake galette on a piece of parchment paper over a cooling rack.

10

Cranberry Cheesecake Galette

This Cranberry Cheesecake Galette is an easy free-form tart with a rich cheesecake filling and cranberry sauce. Keep things easy with store-bought pie crust and your leftover cranberry sauce from the holidays!
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Slices of no-bake Chocolate Eclair Cake on white plates with forks.

11

Chocolate Eclair Cake

This easy no-bake Chocolate Eclair Cake is a classic Midwestern dessert. Made with graham crackers, pudding, whipped topping, and chocolate frosting, in comes together in about 10 minutes plus chilling time.
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Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

Special mornings call for an epic morning feast. Choose sweet, savory, or a mix of both. There are lots of kid-friendly options and easy recipes that can be made ahead, too.

Baked french toast on a plate covered with berries.

12

Baked French Toast

This custardy make-ahead Baked French Toast recipe only gets better as it chills overnight. Come morning, add a cinnamon streusel topping, bake, and pile with fresh berries for a delicious breakfast for six!
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A wooden board filled with 4 varieties of mini quiche.

13

Mini Quiche Recipe

Skip the coffee shop sous vide egg bites and make this Mini Quiche Recipe instead. Tucked inside a pastry crust, try all four flavor variations of this freezable egg breakfast recipe.
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Homemade cinnamon rolls on a baking sheet.

14

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

If you like your Homemade Cinnamon Rolls gooey, rich, and drowning in cream cheese icing, this is the recipe for you! The dough is made with yeast because there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
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A plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and parsley.

15

How to Scramble Eggs

The softest, fluffiest, and best scrambled eggs are only 7 minutes away. Grab some some butter and a skillet; it's time to master how to scramble eggs once and for all.
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Christmas Dinner Side Dish Recipes

Buttery mashed potatoes, tender-crisp roasted vegetables, and cozy casseroles are all great choices for your Christmas Feast. And I never miss a second opportunity to indulge in stuffing and cranberry sauce!

The Best Mashed Potatoes in a blue Dutch oven.

16

The Best Mashed Potatoes

The Best Mashed Potatoes in the world are just 3 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) and so simple, they barely even need a recipe.
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Breakfast Recipes

Cheesy Potato Casserole

Cheesy Potato Casserole is a cornerstone holiday recipe in the Midwest. This version has from-scratch cream of chicken soup and a crunchy cornflake topping.

1 hour 35 minutes
A pan of vegetable casserole with Velveeta and cracker crumbs.

17

Vegetable Casserole

Vegetable Casserole, just like mom used to make! Made with frozen veggies, Velveeta, and buttery cracker crumbs, it's always the first side dish to disappear.
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Side Dish Recipes

Twice-Baked Potatoes

A true steakhouse classic, Twice Baked Potatoes are doubly delicious and easy to make ahead. These show-stealers are loaded up with lots of cheddar, bacon, and scallions for major flavor in every bite. Twice Baked…

1 hour 30 minutes
Slow cooker green bean casserole on a patterned platter.

18

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

This Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole is a great mix of convenience and from-scratch cooking and won't take up any oven space.
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Vegetable Recipes

Roasted Asparagus Recipe

You’ll love this easy Roasted Asparagus Recipe with olive oil, garlic, and lemon. The high oven temperature cooks it to tender-crisp perfection in 10 minutes or less making it a quick, easy, and healthy side dish.

15 minutes
A scoop of mac and cheese with garlic butter crumbs.

19

Baked Mac and Cheese

Take a break from the blue box mac. Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese is the epitome of comfort food! The irresistible garlic butter breadcrumb-topped casserole is a surprisingly easy dinner recipe, calling for just 10 minutes of prep time.
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Side Dish Recipes

Cranberry Apple Sauce

For a sweet and simple twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish, try Cranberry Apple Sauce. It’s a tasty without getting too crazy on a menu that is rooted in tradition.

20 minutes
A serving of harvest roasted vegetables on a white plate.

20

Harvest Roasted Vegetables

An easy recipe for Harvest Roasted Vegetables with butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, cranberries, bacon, and walnuts. Your new favorite fall side dish!
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Christmas Soups and Salads

Start your supper with hearty soups or crisp salads. Soup is great in a slow cooker for a potluck or buffet, and salads add a much-needed breather to all the rich food elsewhere. Some classics, like Seven Layer Salad, stand alone as epic holiday dishes in their own right.

A bowl of cream of broccoli soup with croutons on top.

21

Cream of Broccoli Soup

This easy Cream of Broccoli Soup recipe is rich, decadent, and full of fresh broccoli florets. It’s an absolute classic and perfect for cold weather!
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Seven layer salad in a glass dish.

22

Seven Layer Salad

Bright, crunchy, and colorful, this easy Seven Layer Salad recipe is a fun blast from the past for any party. Make it as-is, just like you remember it, or switch up those layers in a million different delicious ways.
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Citrus salad on a white plate.

23

Citrus Salad

Citrus Salad with strawberries and pomegranate is healthful fruit salad elevated to a higher level, gorgeous enough for a special occasion yet easy to make.
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A serving of strawberry pretzel salad on a white plate with a fork.

24

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

More dessert than salad, Strawberry Pretzel Salad is sweet, salty, made with Jell-O, and topped with cool whip.  If you're still reading, it loves to be made ahead and is an absolute winner at potlucks and parties!
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Christmas Bread Recipes

Homemade bread is a true luxury at the holidays (or any time of year). If you have the chance, fire up your oven, break out the yeast, and bake some bread or rolls for the ones you love.

Soft yeast dinner rolls on a baking sheet.

25

Soft Yeast Dinner Rolls

When nothing but homemade bread will do, try these easy Soft Yeast Dinner Rolls. They are perfect at your holiday table, on the side of Sunday Supper, piled with any kind of meat, or served simply with a bowl of soup.
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Crescent rolls on a cooling rack.

26

Homemade Crescent Rolls

Pillowy soft with a sweet, buttery taste, these Homemade Crescent Rolls are perfect for all the holidays or a weekend baking project.
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Christmas Dinner Recipes

Keep it simple or pull out all the stops – we’ve got plenty of main dishes for you to consider! Beef, pork, ham, chicken, turkey, salmon, and scallops are all delicious options to center your feast.

A Dr. Pepper ham on a serving platter.

27

Dr. Pepper Ham

Your search for the best baked ham recipe ends here. A Dr. Pepper glaze and an oven bag (trust me!) make this the ultimate holiday ham recipe.
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Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin surrounded by roasted fennel and onions.

28

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

This fabulous Bacon-wrapped Pork Tenderloin with roasted fennel is the sheet pan dinner of your dreams. The pork is tender, the bacon is salty, and the fennel soaks up the juices from both! It's also fancy enough for "company" and ready in an hour.
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A platter of roast turkey garnished with grapes.

29

Perfect Roast Turkey

The most Perfect Roast Turkey recipe relies on dry-brining and butter-basting for the juiciest, most delicious turkey you've ever had. Save your pan drippings too for an easy classic gravy recipe.
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The best make ahead lasagna slice on a white plate.

30

The Best Make Ahead Lasagna

The best Make Ahead Lasagna has three kinds of cheese, two different meats, one fantastic homemade sauce, and oodles of real noodles that require absolutely zero boiling.
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Christmas Appetizer Recipes

Small bites, shareable boards, and dips by the dozen. There are so many ways to snack at Christmas, it’s hard to narrow down the menu. A few appetizers can stave off hunger before a formal dinner, or have a buffet of just appetizers. They are great for small gatherings, open houses, and even Christmas movie nights.

A christmas charcuterie board shaped like a christmas tree.

31

Christmas Charcuterie Board

For the merriest grazing this holiday season, make your own Christmas Charcuterie Board. Filled with meats, cheeses, and loads of seasonal touches, this charcuterie tree is as festive as it is delicious.
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An antipasto platter on a wooden tray.

32

Antipasto Platter

For a snack dinner or Italian appetizer idea, you can't beat this easy Antipasto Platter. It takes just 20 minutes to build a feast of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and more.
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Jarcuteries on a wooden cutting board.

33

Jarcuterie

This appetizer recipe idea is more than a trend! Jarcuterie, or single-serving charcuterie assembled in a jar, is ideal for parties, potlucks, or even food gifts.
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Midwest Charcuterie board on a gray countertop.

34

Midwest Charcuterie Board

A Midwest Charcuterie Board ripe with regional offerings is perfect for all-day grazing and parties with people you love. Make a few things, buy the rest, enjoy it all!
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Dukkah, eggplant dip, hummus, artichokes, and olives in bowls

35

Mezze Platter

Craving a taste of the Mediterranean, Middle East, or North Africa? Discover how to make the ultimate Mezze Platter, a global cousin to a charcuterie board or antipasto platter, for a taste of the region right in the comfort of your own home.
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Christmas Drink Recipes

It might be fun to choose a signature drink to offer at your party, and it could be non-alcoholic with a bottle of spirits on the side for the 21+ crowd. Many drink recipes include “big batch” and individual instructions depending on your preference for serving. Whatever you choose, a warm-up option is always appreciated!

Slow cooker cranberry apple cider in a clear mug.

36

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider is simple to make, sweet, and delicious. This welcoming, spiced hot beverage makes the whole house smell amazing, too.
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A brandy old fashioned in a clear glass.

37

Brandy Old Fashioned

From Friday fish fries to supper clubs, the Wisconsin drink of choice is a Brandy Old Fashioned. Here's the authentic recipe for the Wisconsin twist on this famous classic cocktail.
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The best Moscow mule in a copper mug with a lime.

38

The Best Moscow Mule

Discover the secret ingredients to the Best Moscow Mule you’ve ever tasted! Developed by a bartender friend in Minnesota, this mule is miles ahead the rest of the pack and perfect for your next happy hour.
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Mexican Christmas punch on a serving tray surrounded by fruits.

39

Mexican Christmas Punch (Ponche Navideño)

Mexican Christmas Punch (Ponche Navideño) is a warm, deliciously fruity, naturally sweetened punch perfect for cold weather.
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Vegetarian Christmas Recipes

In addition to the obvious plant-based sides and vegetables above, here are some hearty entrees and appetizers that will appeal to plant lovers and meat eaters alike.

Vegetable lasagna on a blue plate.

40

Vegetable Lasagna

When a dinner like Vegetable Lasagna hits the table, no one will miss the meat—not even diehard meat lovers. Filled with spinach, mushrooms, ricotta, and an easy homemade tomato sauce, this labor of love recipe is worth every minute.
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Eggplant parmesan in a white baking dish.

41

Eggplant Parmesan

This recipe for Eggplant Parmesan uses the high heat of the oven for crispy breaded eggplant without the mess of a deep fryer. Add my 10-minute quick tomato sauce or your favorite jarred sauce and lots of mozzarella for a delicious homemade Italian dinner.
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Cauliflower gratin in a casserole dish.

42

Cauliflower Au Gratin

If you like scalloped potatoes or potatoes au gratin, then prepare to meet your new favorite side dish recipe: Cauliflower Au Gratin. This easy vegetable casserole features a creamy garlic Alfredo sauce that will convince even picky eaters to enjoy eating vegetables.
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Pesto cavatappi on a white platter.

43

Pesto Cavatappi (Noodles & Company Copycat)

There’s so much to love about springy pasta, creamy pesto sauce, and bright diced tomatoes, so it’s no wonder Pesto Cavatappi is Noodles and Company’s most popular dish. Here’s the perfected copycat recipe that’s faster, less expensive, and maybe even just a little more delicious.
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Feast of the Seven Fishes

This event is an Italian Christmas Eve tradition where the menu is loaded with several kinds of fish and seafood. Discover new possibilities and consider hosting your own seafood-focused feast this holiday season.

A plate of Shrimp Pasta Primavera.

44

One Pot Shrimp Pasta Primavera

My One Pot Shrimp Pasta Primavera is created with weeknight dinners in mind! This healthy 30-minute meal comes together in one pot so clean-up is a breeze.
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Shrimp scampi on a white platter.

45

Easy Shrimp Scampi

Quick and easy Shrimp Scampi is on the table in 30 minutes! So buttery and delicious, the whole family will love it. Great with pasta, rice, or bread.
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A tostada with shrimp ceviche on top.

46

Shrimp Ceviche

Shrimp Ceviche is a refreshing salad made with raw shrimp "cooked" in citrus juice and tossed with fresh herbs and vegetables. It's delicious on tostadas, crackers, or tortilla chips with plenty of hot sauce!
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Pan-seared scallops with a lemon butter sauce on a white plate.

47

Pan-Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter

These Pan-Seared Scallops are prepared using classic techniques and then paired with a simple, delicious lemon butter sauce. This deceptively-easy meal is sure to impress!
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Salmon in a cast iron skillet with lemons for garnish.

48

Blackened Salmon

Ready in about 10 minutes, my easy Blackened Salmon is definitive proof that seafood recipes should not be reserved for restaurant meals alone. Discover how simple it is to make Blackened Salmon for dinner tonight.
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Millions of Americans suffer from food insecurity every day, but you can help. Here are the best food donations to buy (and the ones to avoid) plus a section on specific food donations for the holidays.

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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

  1. I’m going to try your baked Mac n cheese for Xmas party. I wanted a baked oozy gooey Mac n cheese with a topping. I’ll let u know how it goes. I’m an old grandmother going to try u out. Blessings

    Reply