Eat, Drink, and Be Merry with 29 Must-Try Holiday Feast Ideas You Don’t Dare Miss
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The holidays are the perfect time to eat, drink, and enjoy—and these must-try ideas will make your celebrations easier and more fun. These recipes are simple to pull off and full of flavor, helping you skip the stress and focus on spending time with the people you care about. Whether you’re hosting a big group or keeping it small, this list has everything you need to make the season special and delicious.
Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
This cheesy garlic pull-apart bread is a must-try for the holidays—or honestly, any time you want to impress without the stress. Warm, golden, and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for sharing and always gets everyone reaching for more. It’s so easy to make that you’ll find yourself bringing this crowd-pleaser back for every occasion.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread
M&M Christmas Cookies
These M&M Christmas cookies are a holiday baking favorite you don’t want to miss. Soft, chewy, and full of festive colors, they’re perfect for any occasion, from gift swaps to cozy nights at home. Once you try them, they’ll quickly become a tradition in your holiday kitchen.
Get the Recipe: M&M Christmas Cookies
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Peppermint hot chocolate is a holiday classic you absolutely have to experience. Warm, creamy, and perfectly minty, it’s the ultimate way to unwind after a busy day of holiday prep. One sip, and you’ll see why this drink is a seasonal essential.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Honey Mustard Salmon
Honey mustard salmon is one of those recipes that feels like a treat every time you make it. Its tangy, sweet flavor and tender texture make it a standout at any holiday meal—or even a quiet weekday dinner. Add it to your list of recipes to make this season; you won’t regret it.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
Christmas Oreos
Christmas Oreos are a holiday delight that everyone should have on their to-do list. Fun to make, easy to eat, and irresistibly festive, they’re the perfect treat to add cheer to your celebrations. Whether for gifting or snacking, these cookies are holiday happiness in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Oreos
3-Ingredient Shortbread
These 3-ingredient shortbread cookies are one recipe you’ll wish you’d made sooner. Buttery and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, they’re perfect for everything from party platters to quiet coffee breaks. They’re so simple and satisfying, they’ll be a holiday favorite year after year.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Shortbread
Puff Pastry Palmiers
Puff pastry palmiers are a treat that deserves a spot in your holiday lineup. Light, golden, and delicately sweet, they’re as delightful to eat as they are simple to make. Serve these once, and they’ll become a seasonal staple you’ll crave every December.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Palmiers
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Slow cooker mulled wine is the kind of recipe that belongs in everyone’s holiday playbook. It’s warm, spiced, and effortless to make, perfect for cozy evenings or festive gatherings. Try it once, and it will quickly become your favorite way to toast the season.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
This Christmas tree cheese platter is a holiday hit that you’ll want to recreate every year. Beautiful, easy, and perfect for snacking, it’s an appetizer that makes entertaining stress-free. Add this to your holiday party plans—it’s a crowd-pleaser for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
Christmas Popcorn
Christmas popcorn is a holiday recipe that should be on your list to make this season. Sweet, salty, and sprinkled with festive flair, it’s perfect for movie nights or party snacks. After one batch, you’ll see why this fun treat is a holiday staple for so many families.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Popcorn
Almond Crescent Cookies
Almond crescent cookies are a recipe you’ll want to bake every holiday season. Buttery, crumbly, and coated in powdered sugar, they’re as classic as they are delicious. Make a batch, and these cookies will earn a permanent spot in your holiday rotation.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies
Vodka Cranberry
Vodka cranberry is the holiday cocktail you didn’t know you needed. Refreshing, festive, and so easy to make, it’s the perfect drink for toasting with friends or relaxing after a long day. Once you try it, it’ll become your go-to holiday drink for every celebration.
Get the Recipe: Vodka Cranberry
Cinnamon Palmiers
Cinnamon palmiers are a recipe worth trying, especially during the holidays. Their buttery, flaky layers and warm cinnamon-sugar filling make them perfect for festive mornings or an afternoon treat. They’re so easy to make, you’ll find yourself baking them even after the holidays are over.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Palmiers
Salmon Quiche
Salmon quiche is the kind of dish you’ll keep coming back to once you’ve had it. Its creamy filling and flaky crust make it a standout for brunch or holiday meals. Add it to your recipe box—you’ll love how simple and elegant it is.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Quiche
Saltine Toffee
Saltine toffee is a recipe you’ll want to share with everyone. Sweet, salty, and perfectly crunchy, it’s a treat that’s ridiculously easy to make but tastes like it came from a fancy candy shop. Try it, and it’ll become your go-to holiday treat for years to come.
Get the Recipe: Saltine Toffee
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Mornings just got a whole lot easier with this overnight breakfast casserole. Prepped the night before, it’s the ultimate recipe to have on hand for a stress-free holiday morning or a busy weekday. If you haven’t given this a try, you’re missing out on one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd with cozy, delicious flavors.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Peppermint Ice Cream
This homemade peppermint ice cream is everything you love about the holidays in a single scoop. Cool, creamy, and bursting with minty cheer, it’s the festive dessert you didn’t know you needed. Try it once, and it’ll be your go-to holiday treat for every celebration.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Ice Cream
Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf
The cheese and bacon cob loaf is a holiday snack you don’t want to skip. Warm, gooey, and loaded with flavor, it’s an appetizer that steals the spotlight every time. Make this recipe once, and it’s guaranteed to be a favorite for all your holiday gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf
Frozen Cranberry Margarita
This frozen cranberry margarita is pure holiday joy in a glass. Its vibrant color and refreshing taste make it a standout drink for any festive occasion. This recipe is one you’ll want to keep in your holiday rotation year after year.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Cranberry Margarita
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms
These 3-ingredient peanut butter blossoms are the holiday cookie everyone should bake at least once. Soft, sweet, and topped with a touch of chocolate, they’re perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself. Add these to your holiday baking list, and you won’t be disappointed.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms
Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple
Bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are the sweet-and-savory holiday treat you’ll want to serve again and again. They’re quick, easy, and always the first to disappear at the table. If you haven’t made these yet, they’re a holiday must you’ll thank yourself for trying.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple
3-Ingredient Fudge
This 3-ingredient fudge is one of the easiest holiday treats you’ll ever make. Creamy, rich, and full of chocolatey goodness, it’s perfect for gifting or enjoying with your loved ones. Once you’ve tried it, this fudge will become your holiday go-to for effortless sweetness.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Fudge
Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry brie bites are the kind of festive snack you’ll want to make every holiday season. They’re quick, elegant, and loaded with flavor, making them an appetizer everyone will rave about. Try them once, and they’ll be on your must-make list for years to come.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry Margarita
This cranberry margarita is a holiday cocktail that deserves a spot on your seasonal menu. Refreshing and festive, it’s perfect for everything from Christmas parties to a quiet evening toast. One sip, and it’ll become your new favorite holiday drink.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Margarita
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
These slow cooker mashed potatoes are the holiday side dish you need to try. Creamy, fluffy, and so easy to make, they’ll save you time and stress in the kitchen. Once you’ve tasted these, you’ll wonder how you ever managed the holidays without them.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Turkey
This roasted turkey is a holiday recipe you can’t afford to miss. Golden, juicy, and full of flavor, it’s the centerpiece that brings everything together. Make it once, and it’ll become the only turkey recipe you’ll ever need.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turkey
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut butter fudge is a must for anyone who loves rich, creamy holiday treats. Simple to make and impossible to resist, it’s perfect for sharing or savoring as a little indulgence. This recipe is one you’ll find yourself coming back to year after year.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge
Pineapple Cheese Ball
This pineapple cheese ball is a holiday recipe you absolutely need to try. Sweet, savory, and so easy to whip up, it’s perfect for impressing guests or adding something special to your table. Once you’ve made it, this recipe will have a permanent spot in your holiday lineup.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball
Eggnog Martini
The eggnog martini is the holiday drink that belongs at your next celebration. Creamy, festive, and ready in minutes, it’s the perfect way to toast the season with family and friends. Try it this year, and it’ll be your go-to holiday cocktail for every gathering.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Martini
