25 Easy Holiday Recipes We Adore

How do I know when it’s time to break out the holiday recipes? The air is chillier; the days are shorter, and all I want is to curl up by the fire and relax.

This time of year is wonderful for many reasons, but holiday meals have to be at the very top!

I get super excited when the holidays are coming because it means I get to try out some new stuff and break out the old.

I have plenty of tried-and-true recipes that I’ll always turn to, but I also love to experiment. 

And these recipes aren’t just for parties! You can make them at home for any occasion.

Is it raining out? Better bake a pie! Bored on a Wednesday?

Why not try that gingerbread recipe you’ve been eyeing?

Get ready to feel festive because we’re diving headfirst into this list of 25 holiday recipes.

Try as you might; you won’t be able to stop the jingle bells from ringing.

1. Mincemeat Tarts with Butter Pastry

This British fave is so underrated, and you don’t often see it in the States. The name might be the culprit there.

But don’t worry, there’s no meat in sight! It’s just lots of fruit and spices, and maybe a touch of brandy.

2. Popovers

Known as Yorkshire puddings in the UK, these can be a little tough to get right. 

The trick is to let the batter rest and heat the pan before adding the batter. Adding some oil in the bottom to warm it is also recommended.

That way, it will start to cook right away when you add in the batter.

3. Cranberry Brie Bites

If you’re looking for a simple and easy appetizer that’s finger-food-friendly, this one is for you.

Using crescent rolls as the shell is a genius way to speed things up and ensure they’ll be light and buttery.

For the filling, I prefer to use cranberry sauce for the texture, but if you like it tart, feel free to add in fresh cranberries instead. 

4. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I can’t be the only one who likes Brussels sprouts year-round, right? 

This recipe is sure to convert even the pickiest of eaters! They’re full of flavor, crisp, and slightly sweet, making them super addictive.

5. Easy, No-Fuss Prime Rib

Prime rib is kind of pricey, which is why it’s a must-make holiday recipe! It’s that time of year to splurge and treat yourself, and this dish does that and then some.

Be sure to let it rest on the counter for at least an hour before cooking, and allow for a good 30 minutes of rest out of the oven.

6. Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Scalloped potatoes are so much more than a simple potato side dish. They’re an indulgence that I like to keep for special occasions – to save my waistline!

Made with sliced potatoes and whole milk, they’re so creamy and decadent. The onions need to be sliced relatively thin, so they cook through.

You can also try adding caramelized onions instead for something a little different.

7. Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

If those roasted Brussels didn’t sway you, maybe this recipe will. 

Shaved Brussels sprouts with tart apple slices, chewy dried cranberries, salty parmesan cheese, and a tangy maple and mustard dressing are to die for.

If that doesn’t scream restaurant-quality to you, then I don’t know what will!

8. Texas Roadhouse Rolls

Bread rolls are a must-have on the dinner table, and this recipe is my go-to.

Light, buttery, and easy to make, they do need to separate and rise, so you’ll need to prep ahead a little to have them ready for dinner.

9. Classic Cheese Ball

This retro classic will be a hit at your next holiday party. It’s so easy to make ahead and is full of incredible flavor. 

Not only does it have creamy cheese as a smooth base, but you’ll also need mature cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a slew of fun herbs and spices. 

10. Cheddar & Herb Cheese Straws

Cheese straws are a hugely popular snack in the UK. You’ll see them all over, and the concept is simple: cheese and pastry.

These take it up a notch by adding herbs to the mix. To make them extra flaky, be sure not to overwork the dough!

For even flakier straws, consider using a simple ‘rough puff‘ method to get some lamination in the dough!

11. Creamy Pumpkin Soup Recipe

Just like me, I’m sure you have an abundance of pumpkin in the house once fall hits. 

What better way to use it up than with some creamy pumpkin soup?

It’s surprisingly light but loaded with flavor, and you can even make it vegan-friendly by using veggie stock.

12. Easy Stuffing Recipe

Does your family fight over the stuffing? Mine too!

It’s such an integral part of a roast dinner, and making it from scratch will ensure you get just the right mix of seasoning. 

I like to add extra rosemary to mine, along with some bacon.

13. Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

If you’re making carrots for the big day, they really should be the best carrots out there, and this recipe takes the cake.

The buttery glaze is so good; you’ll want to pour it over the chicken/turkey/beef!

14. Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry

When it comes to holiday recipes, I like to include breakfast in there, too. Since the family is home, why not make something special with all that extra time?

These little pastries are to die for! Seriously, make extra because they won’t last.

The filling is extra indulgent with the addition of a bechamel sauce. Use whatever cheese you have, but a good mature cheddar or Gruyere would be best.

15. Butternut Squash Soup

I love that this soup doesn’t contain just one kind of vegetable. It uses squash, carrots, and potatoes to make it extra tasty!

An immersion blender is best to get that smooth consistency, but if all you have is a regular blender, be sure to let it cool first!

16. Easy Cranberry Sauce

Is it even the holidays without a big bowl of cranberry sauce? We like to make extra and use it in sandwiches with leftovers for the next week.

For me, the key to a good cranberry sauce is the consistency. I like it jam-like and full of orange notes. 

If you’re using frozen fruit, be sure to thaw it out and drain any excess liquid away, or allow for a little longer on the stovetop.

17. Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Trust me: whipping your sweet potatoes is a game-changer.

As much as I love the texture (I usually leave the skins on!), these are smooth and impossible to resist.

Serve them with your favorite holiday roast, or keep a batch for some incredible sweet potato pancakes.

18. Apple Butternut Squash Casserole

This dish has so many levels, and each bite is better than the last!

Roasted squash, tart apples, peppery red onion, and buttery pecans all come together to make one helluva side dish.

Oh, it’s also loaded with salty bacon for good measure. 

19. Stuffing Muffins

I think these should be known as stuffin’ muffins, right? It just rolls off the tongue!

These babies are perfect for when you’re on the move. Make up a big batch and pop them in a container.

They’ll make it to your in-laws intact and will re-heat perfectly. 

20. Salad with Goat Cheese, Pears, Candied Pecans, and Maple-Balsamic Dressing

When you’re indulging, it’s essential to have balance. I love to serve up a hefty salad to go along with everything, but it’s gotta be special.

This recipe covers that! Goat cheese, pears, pecans, and balsamic? I might even have seconds.

21. Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole

On a busy holiday morning, you need something simple and hand-off! All you’ll need for this dish is six ingredients and 10 minutes of your time. 

The soup will add so much flavor here, and I love that they’re creamy and crunchy at the same time.

22. Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls (Copycat Recipe)

If you’re making cinnamon rolls, why would you make anything but these copycat Cinnabon rolls? I mean, it’s what they do, right?

I know there are plenty of short-cuts recipes, but you just can’t beat from-scratch recipes. 

Top tip: make your dough the day before and leave it wrapped in the fridge overnight.

Roll it out and make up the cinnamon rolls first thing, and let them rise for about an hour before you bake them. 

23. Gingerbread Ice Cream Parfait

Want a fancy dessert with all the right flavors but with minimal effort? Check this out!

The most you have to do is make a quick sauce, which will only take a few minutes on the stove.

Once it’s cooled, break up store-bought cookies and layer them with ice cream and sauce in a tall glass. 

24. Soft Gingerbread Cookies

I like my cookies chewy, and these are just right. You’ll get that great texture by using molasses, which also accounts for the deep and wonderful flavor.

To keep them soft, be sure to pull them from the oven when they look a little under. They’ll keep cooking on the base and will go crisp if you overdo it. 

25. Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

Hershey’s is the chocolate expert, so you know the brand’s chocolate cake will be something special.

If I had one drawback of this recipe, it’s that the cake is incredibly soft.

In fact, this cake absolutely melts in your mouth and is so tender, you’ll close your eyes while you eat. 

But if you’re looking to decorate, you might struggle. Top tip: freeze the cakes, so you can stack and decorate with ease!