Complete Gardening
The holiday season is the perfect time to gather around the table with loved ones and enjoy delicious meals and treats.
Whether you’re hosting a festive dinner or looking for delightful snacks to share, these 15 Christmas recipes are sure to add joy and flavor to your celebrations. From savory mains to sweet desserts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
1. Classic Roast Turkey with Herb Butter
Ingredients:
1 whole turkey (12-14 pounds)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 onion, quartered
4 garlic cloves
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
In a bowl, mix softened butter with rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper.
Gently separate the turkey skin from the breast and spread herb butter underneath.
Stuff the cavity with onion and garlic.
Roast the turkey for about 3-4 hours, basting occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
2. Honey-Glazed Ham
Ingredients:
1 fully cooked ham (8-10 pounds)
1 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Cloves for garnish
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Place ham in a roasting pan and score the surface in a diamond pattern.
In a saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, mustard, and vinegar. Heat until smooth.
Brush glaze over the ham and cover with foil.
Bake for 1.5-2 hours, basting every 30 minutes.
Garnish with cloves and serve.
3. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh chives for garnish
Instructions:
Boil potatoes and garlic in salted water until tender, about 20 minutes.
Drain and return to pot.
Add cream and butter, mash until smooth.
Season with salt and pepper.
Garnish with chopped chives before serving.
4. Green Bean Almondine
Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
1/2 cup sliced almonds
3 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain and set aside.
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Add almonds and toast until golden.
Stir in green beans and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve warm.
5. Cranberry Orange Relish
Ingredients:
4 cups fresh cranberries
1 large orange, zested and juiced
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
In a saucepan, combine sugar, water, orange juice, and zest. Bring to a boil.
Add cranberries and reduce heat. Simmer until cranberries burst, about 10 minutes.
Stir in cinnamon and let cool.
Refrigerate before serving.
6. Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Ingredients:
1 loaf bread, cubed and toasted
1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
2 apples, diced
1 onion, chopped
3 celery stalks, sliced
2 cups chicken broth
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon dried sage
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, cook sausage until browned. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté onions, celery, and apples until tender.
In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, cooked sausage, and vegetable mixture.
In another bowl, mix chicken broth, eggs, sage, salt, and pepper. Pour over bread mixture and stir to combine.
Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.
7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients:
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet.
Roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey. Simmer until thickened.
Drizzle glaze over roasted Brussels sprouts before serving.
8. Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups pumpkin puree
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup coconut milk
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Pumpkin seeds for garnish
Instructions:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
Add pumpkin puree and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in coconut milk and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper.
Blend until smooth if desired. Garnish with pumpkin seeds before serving.
9. Christmas Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assorted colored sugars and sprinkles for decoration
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Roll dough into balls and place on baking sheets.
Flatten slightly and decorate with colored sugars and sprinkles.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are golden. Let cool before serving.
10. Eggnog Cheesecake
Ingredients:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
3 packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup eggnog
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a springform pan.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time.
Mix in eggnog, vanilla, and nutmeg until well combined.
Pour filling over crust and bake for 50-60 minutes until set.
Let cool, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
11. Mulled Wine
Ingredients:
1 bottle red wine
1 orange, sliced
4 cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
3 star anise
1/4 cup honey or sugar
1/4 cup brandy (optional)
Instructions:
In a large pot, combine all ingredients except brandy.
Heat over low heat, allowing to simmer (not boil) for at least 20 minutes.
Stir in brandy if desired.
Strain and serve warm in mugs.
12. Peppermint Bark
Ingredients:
12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
Instructions:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Melt dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler until smooth. Spread evenly on the baking sheet.
Let dark chocolate set slightly, then melt white chocolate with peppermint extract. Spread over dark chocolate.
Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies on top.
Refrigerate until firm, then break into pieces.
13. Beef Wellington
Ingredients:
2 pounds beef tenderloin
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup dry white wine
12 slices prosciutto
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten
Instructions:
Season beef with salt and pepper. Sear in olive oil until browned on all sides. Let cool.
In a skillet, sauté mushrooms in butter until moisture evaporates. Add white wine and cook until dry. Let cool.
Wrap beef with prosciutto and mushroom mixture.
Roll out puff pastry and wrap around beef. Seal edges and brush with beaten egg.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until pastry is golden.
Let rest before slicing and serving.
14. Gingerbread Latte
Ingredients:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup strong brewed coffee
Whipped cream for topping
Instructions:
In a saucepan, combine milk, molasses, brown sugar, and spices. Heat until warm, but not boiling.
Froth the milk mixture using a milk frother or whisk.
Pour brewed coffee into mugs and add frothed milk.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
15. Pecan Pie Bars
Ingredients:
For the crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
For the filling:
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Press into the pan.
Bake crust for 15-20 minutes until golden.
In another bowl, whisk together corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir in pecans.
Pour filling over baked crust.
Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes until set.
Let cool before cutting into bars.