Holiday In Recipes

They’re crispy, buttery and loaded with cinnamon sugar.

Better than classic thumbprints.

Put a little yee-haw in your holiday cookie tin.

They’re soft, pillowy, and perfect.

No matter how much thought goes into planning your Christmas dinner, the day can have a way of feeling hurried as you you take part in gift-giving, a brisk walk in the snow, and then getting into the kitchen to cook. One strategy that makes it feel easier and more manageable is sticking with options for a make-ahead Christmas dinner. Maybe it’s getting a head start with the main course or side dish, or perhaps you prefer to get the bulk of the meal done ahead of time.

I love brunch, you love brunch — I think we’re all on board for a good weekend brunch, yes? The one problem with brunch, however, is figuring out how to make it without having to get up at the crack of dawn to start cooking. That’s why we’re bringing you a roundup of all our favorite make-ahead brunch recipes for whatever plans you may have come the weekend.

Christmas Chex Mix is one of my favorite holiday treats that offers a welcome change from all the cookies and candy canes fighting for attention. This crispy, salty-sweet mixture even looks like Christmas — everything is coated in white chocolate, and red and green M&Ms peek through! My favorite Christmas Chex Mix blend is pretty simple — cereal, pretzels, and candy — but the sprinkle of flaky salt at the end is what takes it over the top.

Planning on making a classic glazed baked ham for your Christmas dinner this year? Great choice — it’s one of our top picks for a holiday meal, too. And even if your holiday celebration happens to be smaller this year, those leftover ham recipes are a dream. This large, savory cut of meat is easy to make, whether you opt for the oven or your slow cooker (just don’t forget the glaze!).

The stakes have a way of getting a little higher when you’re cooking a holiday dinner — especially when it comes to sides. No matter what else you’re serving, the sides are inevitably the star of the table. When narrowing down the options, you want dishes that pair well with the main course and are a little more special than what you’d make for a weeknight meal, without being so complicated they dominate your day. Luckily that’s what we’re good at.

Regardless of what time everyone rolls out of bed on holiday mornings, you know there will be stomachs growling. It’s a holiday for you too, though, so no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to get going in the kitchen. Our favorite solution: a make-ahead breakfast casserole.

Is anyone else in disbelief that it’s almost Christmas already? I say let this be the year that you mix up the menu a bit with some new side dishes, or trade in your roast beef tenderloin and baked ham for something different, like white lasagna or French onion pot roast. I like the idea of this year’s meal having a festive start with Christmas appetizers (I’m looking at you, bacon-wrapped dates!) and finishing off with an indulgent Christmas dessert.

It's deceptively easy to make.

It doesn’t really feel like Christmas to me without sweet smells drifting out of the kitchen, and someone cheekily trying to sneak treats before they’re out on the table. Some years, I feel like pulling out all the stops and making super elegant, festive desserts that are time consuming but so worth, and some years Christmas desserts are last on my priority list.

From the essentials to the non-turkey mains, sides, pies, and even drinks to help plan a delicious holiday dinner.

Every year I anxiously await the arrival of fresh cranberries at my local grocer, and once they get here I’m always quick to toss a few bags in my cart — because they don’t stick around nearly long enough. The good news is that when you store fresh cranberries correctly, they’ll keep for three to four weeks in the fridge or up to a year in the freezer (yes, you can freeze fresh cranberries!).

Pommes aligot is more than just a cheesy twist on mashed potatoes. This incredibly magical blend of creamy potatoes and cheese was born in the French region of Midi-Pyrénées, and it is a celebration of regional cheese, served on special occasions alongside sausage or roasted meat.

My mother-in-law isn’t a baker, but she has a serious sweet tooth. When she pulled out a chocolate-smudged cookbook on our first shared Thanksgiving holiday, she turned straight to the chapter on pies — and specifically, a recipe for whipped cream-topped chocolate pie. Ever since, I’ve accepted chocolate pie as a welcome addition to any holiday spread.The version I’m sharing here is one I know she’d be proud of.

It’s often assumed that roast turkey will be sitting front and center as the main course on Thanksgiving. Sure, it’s traditional, and the homemade turkey stock that follows cannot be beat, but it’s just one of so many great holiday options. If you’re forgoing the large celebration in favor of something smaller this year, a big turkey might be far too much food. Or maybe it feels like more work than you can muster, or you’re ready for a new tradition.

Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving a full month-and-a-half or so before Americans. While it’s often not quite the affair that it is in the States, the food is generally the same. There’s always the classic roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and maybe there’s a little more maple mixed into desserts and special side dishes. Canadian Thanksgiving is this coming Monday, so we’ve gathered up a few of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes on the site to celebrate.

If you’re buying a big bone-in ham for the holidays this year, consider this your friendly reminder that you’ll be left with a tasty ingredient after all the meat’s been picked off: The ham bone. So, whatever you do, don’t toss it in the compost bin or trash. Ham bones are packed with so much rich, smoky flavor. Don’t have time to put the ham bone to use right away? No problem, just freeze the bone, as you would any other meat bones and food scraps.

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is no small feat. There is a way to make it easier, though, and it comes in the form of your slow cooker. When you’re vying for precious space in the oven, wishing you had another burner on the stovetop (or another pair of hands), or you just want to keep food warm, this trusty appliance is your best bet.

Despite your most careful planning (did you make a detailed timeline?), cooking Thanksgiving dinner can still feel a little stressful once the big day rolls around. It holds true whether you’re having a small Thanksgiving dinner or hosting the whole extended family. That’s why we love getting a jump-start with one or several make ahead Thanksgiving sides.

Ham is one of my favorite things to serve as a main dish. I’ll either cook my ham in the slow-cooker or bake it in the oven. I love that it’s easy to make and provides the perfect savory foundation to build the rest of your dinner around. In my opinion, a large part of the pleasure of serving ham is enjoying the side dishes that play well with its rich flavor. Plus, leftover ham can be reinvented into several other meals throughout the week or frozen until further notice.

Any time there’s an occasion for appetizers, be it game day, New Year’s Eve, a backyard cookout, or a fancy cocktail party, my husband’s go-to is pigs in a blanket. And last year, after years of simply buying a box from the freezer aisle, I decided to try my hand at making them myself. So, I grabbed a can of crescent roll dough (hello, buttery, flaky goodness!) and a package of mini cocktail sausages and got to work. And you know what I learned?

It's key to the juiciest Thanksgiving bird.

Thanksgiving is a time for plates piled high with roast turkey, classic stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and much more. In short: it’s a day of feasting at its finest. But in the mix of all those ultra-comforting side dishes, we need something a little lighter — like a fresh and vibrant Thanksgiving salad — to balance out the heartier, heavier dishes.

It’s easy to get caught up in planning the big Thanksgiving dinner and your dessert spread, so here’s your friendly reminder to not forget the appetizers. Because a pre-dinner nibble or two of something tasty is always a good idea (especially when partnered with a Thanksgiving cocktail!). As for what to make, we’re firm believers that Thanksgiving appetizers should look and taste totally impressive, but be shockingly easy to pull off.

Somehow Labor Day weekend is upon us. It’s been a very short summer — it seems like we were just firing up our grills for Memorial Day, and yet that also feels like a long-distant memory now. Since we are all out of our normal rhythms, the long weekend might’ve snuck up on you. If you’re planning on getting outside and cooking this weekend, we’ve got some side dish options for you.

Father’s Day is just around the corner! Along with the the perfect grill for the summer, cocktail gifts, and any other last-minute Father’s Day gifts, a special home-cooked dinner is the perfect way to show every dad or father figure in our lives how much we love and appreciate them.

Memorial Day weekend is upon us! We are really looking forward to the unofficial start of summer. So let’s get ready to host, fire up the grill (after cleaning the grill first, of course), dust off your cooler, and get your favorite picnic blanket ready: We’re heading to the backyard for a BBQ! As for what to cook, there are so many good choices.

Pork loin roast might be the smartest meal to serve when you’re feeding a crowd. If you like pork chops or pork tenderloin, this cut will be right up your alley. Though it calls for a longer cook time, pork loin is simple enough to cook on a weeknight and more economical than beef tenderloin or prime rib.If you’re buying a pork loin roast for the first time, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

The best part of any meal is dessert, if you ask me, and a Passover Seder is no exception. Dessert is a crowd-pleaser, and there are plenty of recipes for Kosher-for-Passover desserts.In traditionally Kosher homes, dairy is not served after a meat dish, so if you’re buying something for dessert, look for the P on the label (don’t forget the iconic store-bought jelly fruit slices and chocolate-covered marshmallows!).

When it comes to holiday hams, whether it’s a Bourbon-Glazed Ham or a Copycat Honey Baked Ham, there are always, always leftovers. Yes, even if you’ve done your research on how to cook a ham and made estimates based on how many people you’re feeding. But honestly, leftover ham dishes can be even tastier than the centerpiece itself. There are plenty of ways — big and small — that we all can use leftover ham, now and later.

Whether you plan to serve roasted leg of lamb, pan-seared lamb chops, or grilled lamb chops for a special dinner, you’ll want to choose some sides. The beauty of serving lamb as the main is that you can serve it with a wide variety of sides and the meal will taste great. Hearty potatoes dishes pair just as well as bright snappy veggies like green beans.

The beauty of making brunch the center of any celebration, such as Easter or Mother’s Day, are the sheer variety of options. From hearty brunch casseroles, stacks of pancakes and French toast, and cinnamon rolls, the best brunch spreads have a little bit of everything. But let’s not forget the appetizers!Bite-sized mini quiches, breakfast sliders, and sweet mini Dutch baby pancakes are great options, along with classic deviled eggs, creamy dips, and puff pastry tarts.

Corned beef and cabbage is the classic St. Patrick’s Day food that many of us make every year. Our slow cooker corned beef and cabbage is the absolute best and easiest version because it’s hands-off and fuss-free. Plus if you have leftovers, you can make corned beef hash for breakfast the following day!

Roasted chestnuts are great, this cocktail is even better.

The sauce is everything.

Think Pocky stick, but peanut butter.

Whether it’s a small, intimate celebration with my family at home or a gathering with the extended family, my favorite way to kick off a holiday morning is with an extra-special breakfast. But since I’d much rather enjoy my time with my family than spend it in the kitchen, I make a point to stick with a breakfast that can be cooked through (or at least totally prepped) the day before.

Every year as the holidays approach, I eagerly anticipate holiday baking and decorating sugar cookies. And every year, they don’t exactly turn out as planned. That’s because decorating cookies is a lot easier said than done — especially if you’re a perfectionist like me who likes straight lines and clean edges. But this year, I’m prepared. I recently got to work developing a simple royal icing recipe that makes cookie decorating as stress-free (and mess-free!

Plus, it’s easier than you think.

Looking for an exciting holiday showstopper desert or no-bake summer stunner that’s ridiculously easy to make? Let us talk you into making trifle. In case you’re new to the dessert, trifle is a classic English dessert that usually consists of layered sponge cake, fruit, and custard, but there’s a lot of room for creativity. Serve it in a traditional glass trifle bowl to display the layers and you will be thankful trifle is so deceivingly impressive.

It's ridiculously good — and surprisingly easy to make.

No mixer required.

They’re a classic for a reason.

It's unreal.

It calls for pantry staples.

A buttery classic.

And it's so easy!

Just look at these layers.

What do you do if your Valentine is someone who just doesn’t like chocolate? What if a fancy box of chocolates or a flourless chocolate cake doesn’t make your heart skip a beat? Not to worry — there are plenty desserts out there that don’t rely on chocolate for their deliciousness. Pick any one of these recipes for a sweet dessert that your special someone will enjoy … even if that someone special is you!

After breaking the fast, enjoy these extra-hearty main dishes, side dishes, starters, and desserts with your family and friends.

It’s not what you think.

So rich, so buttery.

They look so fancy.

They taste like Reese's, only better.

‘Tis the season.

They’re a family favorite for a reason.

They're a classic for a reason.