From outstanding desserts to breads, a soup, snacks, gifts and more, you're sure to find something new to add to your holidays. Because I know your days are as filled as mine with things to do, the majority of these recipes can be made in whole or in part ahead of time.
Orange Cranberry Cake - A Holiday Specialty
Orange chiffon cake, Cranberry curd and chocolate ganache enclosed in white as snow whipped cream...and it can be made ahead.
Check out this recipe
Raspberry Ripple Coffeecake
If you're looking for a really easy, quick to make, great tasting, crumb topped coffee cake this Raspberry Ripple Coffee Cake is it. A simple cream cheese batter mixes up in minutes for a cake that is perfect anytime of the day.
Check out this recipe
Eggnog Cheesecake
Eggnog Cheesecake with rum, brandy, nutmeg and heavy cream is the perfect eggnog in a bite to end any holiday dinner.
Check out this recipe
Buche de Noel
The Buche de Noel is a spectacular extravaganza from France and is one dessert, among many, of their gifts to the world of food. And what a gift it is! While it looks complicated, it can be done over several weeks.
Check out this recipe
Mincemeat Tarts
A Christmas tradition in England, mincemeat tarts are the perfect ending to a holiday meal and could become your next tradition.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Cranberry Curd Tart
Chocolate Cranberry Curd has become an absolute favorite for the holidays on my blog. Besides its vibrant color, the taste and texture are outstanding.
Check out this recipe
Caramel Apple Tart
Caramel Apple Tart is everything you would want in an apple dessert. Full of apples, spices, brown sugar and brandy, it's covered with walnut streusel and caramel. This was a fall favorite with my clientele at the bakery
Check out this recipe
Cranberry Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake
This Cranberry Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake shouts out fall. The tartness of the cranberries is tempered by the streusel in this easily made treat.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Chocolate Truffles
At the bakery we were known for our chocolate. These Chocolate Chocolate Truffles were the same ones we made - hundreds and hundreds that were hand dipped. The secret is to freeze the fillings first making coating them so much easier to initially coat.
Check out this recipe
European Nut Roll with Three Fillings
This European Nut Roll with Three Fillings is a recipe long in my family. Every household had their own version. Nut rolls are especially popular during holidays and celebrations in Central Europe.
Check out this recipe
Orange Date Bread Pudding
Bread puddings are a favorite this time of year and this is a standout among them. Easy to make, easier to eat!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Cranberry Quick Bread
I don’t know about you, but the last thing I want to do is think about on a holiday is making a big breakfast. What if this Chocolate Cranberry Quick Bread is stashed in the freezer waiting to add to the festive feeling?
Check out this recipe
Last Minute Appetizers
Artichoke Croustades, Sesame Salmon with Apricot Ginger Sauce, and Spicy Meatballs are easy enough for the last minute or they can be made in whole, or in part ahead.
Check out this recipe
Super Fast and Easy Brioche Rolls
These don't get any easier than my 60 second method of making brioche in the food processor...and they can be made ahead and frozen.
Check out this recipe
Double Chocolate Mousse Cake
Both white chocolate and dark chocolate mousse team up with a deeply chocolate, yet light textured chocolate chiffon cake. The Double Chocolate Mousse Cake is beautiful, light and easy to make and while full of flavor is not overwhelming sweet.
Check out this recipe
Reine de Saba Cake with Candied Cranberries
This frozen Reine de Saba is the perfect dessert for a busy schedule as the entire thing can be done a month ahead. If you do freeze it ahead, keep it in the pan so the filling doesn’t get smooshed.
Check out this recipe
Scones with Cranberry Strawberry Jam
The scones are easily made and the jam requires no canning if kept in the refrigerator or freezer. The combination of the cranberries and strawberries makes a sweet-tart topping for the scones, toast, biscuits, or pancakes and waffles. A jar of the jam makes a perfect hostess gift.
Check out this recipe
Beef Stroganoff Soup with Wine and Cheese Bread
This soup takes all the components of this entrée including red wine and brandy and turns them into a delicious, easy to make soup that only gets better made ahead,
Check out this recipe
Wine and Cheese Baguettes- A Favorite bread
Wine and Cheese Baguettes are one of my all-time favorite breads. This bread couldn't be easier to make with the help of a food processor. While gorgeous to look at this bread actually tastes of the white wine and swiss cheese.
Check out this recipe
Dobos Torte - A Hungarian Speciality
Dobos Torte is a Hungarian multilayered cake consisting of anywhere between 6 to 11 layers of spongecake filled with an intense, but super light, chocolate buttercream made like no other I have seen. Traditionally it is topped with hard caramel fans. Since no one ever ate the caramel and it was a pain to make and cut, I changed it to chocolate!
Check out this recipe
Cranberry Fresh Pineapple Relish
This quick to put together Cranberry Fresh Pineapple Relish will keep in the refrigerator for a week, so make it ahead of time so you have one less thing to do on the day of the get together.
Check out this recipe
Hot Curried Party Mix
Be sure to make this Hot Curried Party Mix a minimum of one day ahead – a week is better. Stored in an airtight container, this will last a month, if you can keep out of it. It also makes a fantastic gift.
Check out this recipe
Hot Peppered Pecans
These pecans are a standout. Heat Alert - they are hot!! So if you don't favor a lot of heat, tone down all the pepper and the hot pepper sauce. Start with half and go from there. Packaged up with a pretty bow and they make a great gift.
Check out this recipe
Puff Pastry Crackers
I don't know about you, but last minute everything seems to happen at my house and these Puff Pastry Crackers take care of that. With little time to plan or think ahead, it makes it difficult sometimes when your guests expect something a bit out of the ordinary.
Check out this recipe
A Cranberry Orange Muffin
A Cranberry Orange Muffin recipe features the flavors of fall fruit and is quickly made featuring fresh or frozen cranberries and orange zest. A great recipe for beginner bakers.
Check out this recipe
Stuffed Cinnamon French Toast and Orange Sauce
Two pieces of cinnamon bread filled with an orange cream stuffing are dredged in an egg mixture with a few additions to spark it up served with an Orange Cream Sauce borrowed from Crepes Suzette.
Check out this recipe
Salmon Wellington with Lemon Asparagus Risotto Cakes
These are particularly good for entertaining as they must be frozen solid - so you can make them a month in advance, wrap well and tuck away in the freezer. By freezing them solid, the salmon won't overcook in the time it takes to bake the puff pastry. It makes a perfect entrée for entertaining.
Check out this recipe
Want more Ideas for the Holidays? Try these Thanksgiving Recipes!
SallyBR says
That was ONE outstanding post, Helen! LOVED IT!
I hope you are having a wonderful month of December, probably very busy....
Helen S Fletcher says
Thanks Sally, Evidently, my SEO guru said no less than 15 to 20 so there you are. Truthfully, I'm looking forward to January!
Nowal says
Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful recipes. I plan on making many of these delights this season! Thank you again and Happy Holidays!
Helen S Fletcher says
You're very welcome. Enjoy the recipes and the holidays.
Diane Perris says
Helen, thank you so much for this very generous list! I feel like making just about everything on it! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Diane, I have to say I could have added a few more cranberry recipes, since that is my favorite go to for the holidays. My staff at the bakery would always suggest politely that I pare the list of cranberry offerings down. You have a great holiday season and the best new year ever.
charlotte says
i love the cranberry recipes! please don't "pear" them off.
thank you for sharing so generously.
happy holidays!
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Charlotte, Ahhhh, another cranberry lover! I had to work hard so the roundup wouldn't be all cranberries!
Jacquie Goff says
Thank you for sharing your recipes with us.
Helen S Fletcher says
You're most welcome Jacquie. That's the best part of blogging!