10+ Christmas Recipes for a Festive Feast

Christmas is a special time of year filled with joy, family, and delicious food. Finding the right recipes can make your holiday celebrations even more memorable. From festive cookies to hearty main dishes, the right meals can bring everyone together around the table.

Embracing traditions and trying new recipes can elevate your Christmas experience. Whether you’re cooking for a large gathering or a cozy dinner, having a variety of meals to choose from will help you enjoy the season to the fullest.

1) Prime Rib Roast

A prime rib roast is a classic choice for your Christmas dinner. This dish is known for its juicy and tender meat, which makes it special for the holiday.

To prepare, start by seasoning your roast with salt, pepper, and herbs.

Next, preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). This high temperature helps to create a lovely crust on the meat.

Once it’s seared for about 20 to 25 minutes, reduce the temp to 350°F (175°C) and continue to roast until it reaches your desired doneness. For medium-rare, aim for around 13 to 15 minutes per pound.

Ingredients

• 1 prime rib roast (about 5-6 pounds)
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme)
• Butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C).
2. Season the roast with salt, pepper, and herbs.
3. Place the roast in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Lower the temperature to 350°F (175°C).
5. Roast for 13 to 15 minutes per pound until medium-rare.

2) Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are a wonderful addition to your Christmas dinner. They are creamy, flavorful, and easy to make. Using roasted garlic adds a rich taste that everyone will love.

To get started, you’ll need some russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.

Roasting the garlic gives it a sweet, mellow flavor. Mixing in butter and milk will make your potatoes smooth and delicious.

These mashed potatoes pair well with turkey or ham. They are a perfect side dish for any holiday meal.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
• 1 whole bulb garlic
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Cut the top off the garlic bulb, wrap it in foil, and roast for 30-35 minutes.
3. Boil the potatoes until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
4. Drain and mash the potatoes.
5. Squeeze the roasted garlic into the potatoes.
6. Mix in butter and milk. Season with salt and pepper.

3) Christmas Chex Mix

Christmas Chex Mix is a fun and tasty snack that everyone loves. You can easily make it with just a few ingredients. This mix combines crunchy cereal, pretzels, nuts, and sweet touches like M&Ms.

To get started, gather your ingredients and a large bowl.

Mix together Chex cereal, pretzel twists, and holiday M&Ms. Drizzle some melted white chocolate on top to add sweetness.

Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake it at 250°F (120°C) for about 30 minutes. This step helps everything stick together and adds a great crunch.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Chex cereal
• 2 cups mini pretzel twists
• 1 ½ cups Christmas M&Ms
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix the Chex cereal, pretzels, and M&Ms.
3. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle it over the mix.
4. Stir to coat evenly.
5. Spread the mix on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4) Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix

Making peppermint hot cocoa mix is a fun and simple way to enjoy a festive drink. You will love how easy it is to prepare this delicious treat.

For the mix, you’ll need cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, and crushed candy canes. These ingredients create a rich chocolate flavor with a refreshing minty twist.

To prepare, combine ¼ cup of the mix with 1 cup of warm milk.

You can heat the milk on the stove over medium heat (about 160°F or 70°C), stirring until it’s hot but not boiling.

Top your hot cocoa with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes for extra flavor. Enjoy your cozy beverage during cold winter nights!

Ingredients

• ½ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup crushed candy canes

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, and crushed candy canes in a bowl.
2. Store in an airtight container.
3. To serve, mix ¼ cup of the mix with 1 cup of warm milk.
4. Stir until well combined and enjoy.

5) Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is a classic dish perfect for Christmas dinners. It combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with rich flavors that warm your heart. You can make it with or without marshmallows, depending on your taste.

To start, you’ll need to prepare the sweet potatoes. Boil or bake them until soft, then mash them with butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon.

For a crunchy topping, you can use crushed pecans or fluffy marshmallows. Bake the casserole until everything is heated through and the top is golden brown.

It’s an easy dish to prepare ahead of time, so you can spend more time with your loved ones on the holiday.

Ingredients

• 5 sweet potatoes
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup marshmallows (optional)
• ½ cup crushed pecans (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Boil or bake the sweet potatoes until soft.
3. Mash the sweet potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
4. Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
5. Top with marshmallows or crushed pecans.
6. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.

6) Pretzel Turtles

Pretzel Turtles are a tasty and simple treat for the holiday season. They combine the crunch of pretzels with sweet caramel and chocolate. You can make them quickly with just a few ingredients.

For this recipe, you will need mini pretzels, chocolate candies like Rolos, and pecans. The mix of salty and sweet makes these a crowd favorite.

Ingredients

• Mini pretzels
• Chocolate candies (like Rolos)
• Pecans

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with tin foil.
3. Arrange the pretzels on the sheet.
4. Top each pretzel with a chocolate candy.
5. Bake for about 4-5 minutes, until the chocolate is soft.
6. Remove from the oven and press a pecan onto each chocolate.
7. Let them cool before serving.

7) Eggnog Pancakes

Eggnog pancakes are a delightful twist on a holiday classic. They are fluffy and flavorful, perfect for breakfast during the festive season. You can enjoy them with syrup or fresh fruit.

To make these pancakes, you use a batter infused with eggnog. The spices in eggnog, like cinnamon and nutmeg, add a warm touch to each bite.

Serve them warm with homemade vanilla syrup for an added treat. These pancakes can be a fun way to use leftover eggnog after holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup eggnog
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your griddle to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, whisk together eggnog, egg, and melted butter.
4. Combine dry and wet ingredients until just mixed.
5. Pour batter onto the griddle and cook until bubbles form.
6. Flip and cook until golden brown. Enjoy!

8) Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms

Vegetarian stuffed mushrooms are a tasty and simple appetizer for your holiday feast. You can fill mushroom caps with a mixture of cheese, herbs, and garlic for a delicious bite.

These mushrooms are not only flavorful, but also easy to prepare. Bake them until golden for a warm treat that your guests will love.

You can customize the filling with your favorite ingredients. Try adding vegetables or different types of cheese to suit your taste.

Ingredients

• 12 large mushrooms
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (like parsley and basil)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for drizzling

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Clean the mushrooms and remove the stems.
3. In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, Parmesan, herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
4. Stuff each mushroom cap with the mixture.
5. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.

9) Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon make a tasty side dish for your Christmas meal. They are simple to prepare and bring a delicious flavor to your plate. The crispy bacon enhances the natural taste of the sprouts.

To make this dish, you’ll want to start with fresh Brussels sprouts. Roasting them brings out their sweetness while adding a crunchy texture.

The combination of bacon, a touch of maple syrup, and maybe a sprinkle of parmesan creates a delightful taste. Everyone at your table will enjoy this side dish!

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh Brussels sprouts
• 4 slices of bacon
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Parmesan cheese for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts.
3. In a bowl, toss the sprouts with maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
4. Chop the bacon and mix it in.
5. Spread on a baking sheet.
6. Roast for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
7. Optional: Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.

10) Classic Sugar Cookies

Classic sugar cookies are a must for your Christmas celebrations. They are simple to make and perfect for decorating with frosting and sprinkles.

Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. These cookies have a sweet flavor and a soft texture.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Then, roll the dough out, cut it into shapes, and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes.

Once they’re cool, decorate them as you like. You can use icing to add a festive touch.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Cream the butter in a separate bowl, then add the egg and vanilla.
4. Combine the mixtures until smooth.
5. Roll the dough and cut into shapes.
6. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
7. Let cool and decorate as desired.