10+ Holiday Recipes to Celebrate the Season

Holiday cooking brings joy and warmth to homes, making it a cherished time for family and friends. Discovering new recipes can elevate your gatherings, making each celebration memorable. From savory main dishes to delightful desserts, there are countless options to explore.

Whether you’re preparing a big feast or a simple get-together, having a variety of holiday recipes on hand is always helpful. With the right ingredients and a bit of creativity, you can create delicious meals that everyone will love.

1) Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake

Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake is a classic holiday favorite. It’s known for its rich color and soft texture. The cake is often paired with creamy frosting, making it a delicious treat for gatherings.

To make this cake, you’ll need a good mix of ingredients. The combination of cocoa powder and buttermilk gives it that signature taste. Plus, it’s a recipe that can be passed down through generations.

This cake is perfect for celebrations or just a cozy family gathering. Everyone will love a slice of this sweet delight.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream together butter, oil, and sugars until fluffy.
3. Add eggs, beating well after each addition.
4. In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa, and salt.
5. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture.
6. Stir in food coloring, vanilla, baking soda, and vinegar.
7. Pour the batter into prepared cake pans.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let it cool before frosting. Enjoy!

2) Silky Mashed Potatoes

Silky mashed potatoes are a classic side dish perfect for any holiday meal. They are creamy, smooth, and full of flavor. Use a mix of potatoes to get the best texture—russet and Yukon Gold work well together.

To make these mashed potatoes extra special, add butter and cream cheese. This combination makes them rich and indulgent. Use a potato masher or a ricer for the smoothest result.

You can prepare these ahead of time and reheat them just before serving. They will stay delicious and silky if stored properly.

Ingredients

• 5 lbs russet and Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the diced potatoes in salted water until tender (about 15-20 minutes).
2. Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot.
3. Add butter, cream cheese, sour cream, and milk.
4. Mash or riced the mixture until smooth and creamy.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3) Baki’s Old-World Cookies

Baki’s Old-World Cookies are a delightful treat for the holidays. They have a rich flavor from ground walnuts and spices that makes them special. These cookies are great for sharing with family and friends.

To make them, you’ll need simple ingredients. Mixing the dough is easy and fun. Once baked, they will have a lovely golden brown color.

Baki’s cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in. Everyone will enjoy these homemade delights.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup ground walnuts
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream softened butter and sugar.
3. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
4. Stir in ground walnuts, flour, and spices.
5. Shape the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for about 12-15 minutes until golden.

4) Frosted Gingerbread Cookie Bars

Frosted gingerbread cookie bars are a festive treat that is perfect for the holidays. They are soft, moist, and easy to make. You don’t need to chill or roll out dough, which saves you time.

You can top these bars with delicious frosting. A spiced cream cheese frosting works perfectly for that classic gingerbread flavor. These bars can also be made ahead of time to enhance their taste.

You will love sharing these with friends and family during holiday gatherings. They add a cheerful touch to any dessert table.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the flour, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
4. Add molasses and egg; mix well.
5. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.
6. Spread the batter in a greased pan.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, then cool.
8. For frosting, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
9. Spread frosting over cooled bars and slice into squares.

5) Two-Tone Festive Sugar Cookies

Two-tone festive sugar cookies are a fun and tasty treat for the holidays. These cookies combine chocolate and vanilla flavors for a delightful taste in every bite. You can use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for any festive occasion.

To get started, gather your ingredients. You’ll need butter, sugar, egg yolks, flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. These simple items will help you create delicious cookies that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together the butter and sugar.
3. Add the egg yolks and vanilla, mixing well.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients.
5. Divide the dough in half. Mix cocoa powder into one half.
6. Roll out both doughs and cut into shapes.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Enjoy!

6) Grandma’s Rice Dish

Grandma’s Rice Dish is a warm and comforting recipe perfect for any holiday gathering. It combines savory beef, fresh veggies, and wholesome rice for a filling meal.

To start, you’ll need some ground beef, onions, and green peppers cooked in a skillet. Once the meat is no longer pink, mix in rice, tomatoes, corn, olives, and bacon for added flavor.

This dish is easy to prepare. Transfer everything to a greased baking dish and bake it at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.

Cooking this dish brings back lovely memories and will surely impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 can tomatoes, diced
• 1 can corn
• 1 cup olives, sliced
• 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and green pepper over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink.
2. Drain any grease from the skillet.
3. Stir in the rice, tomatoes, corn, olives, and bacon.
4. Transfer to a greased 11×7-inch baking dish.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-25 minutes.

7) Simple Linzer Cookie Slices

Simple Linzer cookie slices are a delightful treat for your holiday gatherings. These cookies are filled with sweet jam and are easy to make. They offer a wonderful blend of flavors and a soft, buttery texture.

You can use different types of jam, like raspberry or apricot, to suit your taste. A dusting of powdered sugar on top adds a touch of sweetness and makes them look festive.

For a fun twist, you can cut these cookies into various shapes. This adds a personal touch to your holiday table.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup almond flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup jam (raspberry, apricot, or your choice)
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the flours and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add vanilla and mix well.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter.
6. Roll out the dough and cut into slices or shapes.
7. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes.
8. Cool, spread jam on half, and top with another cookie.
9. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

8) Easy Pecan Pie Bars

If you’re looking for a sweet treat that brings holiday cheer, try these easy pecan pie bars. They have a buttery shortbread crust topped with a gooey pecan filling. Each bite is rich and satisfying.

To make these bars, gather your ingredients. They are simple and can be found at any grocery store. Enjoy this delicious dessert at your next family gathering or holiday party.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (227g) chopped pecans
• 12 tablespoons (170g) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (107g) light brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup (112g) honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar.
3. Add eggs, honey, vanilla, and salt. Stir well.
4. Mix in chopped pecans and flour.
5. Spread the mixture in a greased pan.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cool before cutting. Enjoy!

9) Buttery Dinner Rolls

Buttery dinner rolls are a must-have for any holiday meal. They are soft, fluffy, and easy to make. Your guests will love how they melt in their mouths.

To make them, you only need a few simple ingredients. You can impress everyone with the aroma of fresh-baked rolls filling your kitchen. These rolls pair well with any main dish or can be enjoyed on their own.

Serve them warm, straight from the oven. A little extra butter on top makes them even better!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, and salt.
3. Warm milk and water, then add sugar and melted butter.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Add the egg and mix well.
5. Knead the dough until smooth, then let it rise for 1 hour.
6. Shape into rolls and place in a baking dish.
7. Let rise for 30 minutes, then bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.

10) Amaretto Cherry Delight

Amaretto Cherry Delight is a delicious and festive dessert perfect for holiday gatherings. This treat combines the rich flavors of amaretto with sweet cherries, creating a wonderful balance.

Start by preparing a crumbly base that holds everything together. Then, soak your cherries in amaretto for an added burst of flavor. The sweet glaze on top brings it all together beautifully.

This dessert is not only tasty but also easy to make. Serve it at your holiday table to impress your family and friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of cherries, pitted
• 1/4 cup of amaretto
• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Mix flour, butter, and sugar to form a dough.
3. Press the dough into a baking dish.
4. Soak cherries in amaretto for 30 minutes.
5. Spread cherries over the dough.
6. Bake for 25 minutes until golden.
7. Mix powdered sugar and milk to create a glaze.
8. Drizzle the glaze over the baked dessert.
9. Let it cool before serving.