Ahh, the joys of the holiday season! As the chilly weather sets in and we gear up for all the festivities, it’s only natural to break out the ol’ cookbook and start hunting for some tasty recipe inspiration. Time to get together with all your loved ones, sip on some cheer, and chow down on all the yummy treats.
To provide you with some inspiration for the holidays, here are seven Christmas recipe ideas to try. So put your oven on low heat, and get out the mixing bowls, because these recipes are just the inspiration you’ve been searching for.
Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread men are the perfect Christmas treat. They taste great and add a bit of Christmas flair to your home (how can anyone resist a plate of gingerbread men). Plus, making gingerbread men is a great excuse to get the kids in the kitchen mixing ingredients and showcasing their artistic flair.
Get ready to whip up some delicious gingerbread magic!
First, grab a bowl and toss in some flour, baking soda, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Then, slowly add chunks of butter, working it into the mixture until it’s a fine, crumbly texture. Finally, pour in some molasses and milk for extra flavor and moisture. Don’t forget to wrap that dough up in some plastic and pop it in the fridge for at least two hours before moving on to the next step. Trust me, this gingerbread is going to be the star of the show!
Roll out the chilled dough using a rolling pin. You want a half-inch thickness. You’ll then need to cut your cookies into shapes using a cookie cutter (this is where the kids can start joining in). Chill the cut cookies in the fridge for 10 minutes to ensure they keep their shape.
Set the oven to 350 degrees and cook for 10 minutes. Once they’re done, take them out of the oven and let them cool before slathering on some delicious frosting and sharing these treats with everyone.
Gingerbread House
A gingerbread house is an ultimate abode for all those gingerbread men (and women) to call home. And guess what? The base recipe is exactly the same as gingerbread cookies!
Instead of rolling out little gingerbread men, though, you’ll need to create walls and a roof to give your gingerbread house some structure. If you’re feeling a little lost, gingerbread house kits can be super handy for making sure you’ve got all the correct dimensions.
Just be warned, things might get a little…messy. Your kitchen could become a rainbow explosion of frosting after a festive decorating session. But hey, it’s all part of the fun, right? Just make sure to have some cleaning supplies on hand!
Figgy Pudding
Figgy Pudding is a Christmas classic that dates back to the 14th century. The main ingredients are dried figs, almonds, and spices. It’s sweet and sticky. You’ll want some cream on the side for the perfect Christmas combination.
To make your figgy pudding, add your dates and dried figs to a medium pan of boiling water. Stir in some baking soda, and then blend the mixture.
In a bowl, mix together some cream, butter, and sugar. Crack in a few eggs, and beat the mixture until it’s nice and smooth. Finally, fold in some flour, chocolate, and a pureed date mixture (resist the urge to dip your fingers in). Pour the mix into a baking dish and pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
To make some seriously delicious figgy pudding sauce, you’ll need to stir together some sugar and cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil for about five minutes to let it reduce, then stir in some butter. Once your sauce is all ready, pour it over the finished pudding and serve with some cream or ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
Yule Log Cake
Are you ready to make a show-stopping Yule log cake?
To get started, beat together some egg whites, a dash of salt, and cream in a large mixing bowl. Once you’ve got a smooth consistency, add a quarter of a cup of granulated sugar.
Add flour, baking powder, and cocoa powder in a second bowl.
In a third bowl, mix egg yolks, half a cup of sugar, and vanilla. Beat the mixture until it has a creamy texture. Then, add melted butter and coffee. Fold in the flour, and combine with egg whites. You cook the batter to make a sponge cake, which will be the roll of the Yule Log.
The filling is made by combining cream cheese, cream, and vanilla. Spread the filling over your sponge cake and carefully roll it up. Once that’s all taken care of, add some frosting and get creative with the decorations.
The Yule log is tricky to bake. If you run a business, buy wholesale cakes that have been freshly prepared and look great and have them delivered.
Jelly-Glazed Doughnut Cookies
Looking for some sweet, crunchy treats over the holidays? These jelly-glazed doughnut cookies are just the trick for teatime.
You’ll need to start with the dough. In a bowl, beat oil, eggs, butter, salt, sugar, vanilla, and baking powder. Fold in the flour until you have a smooth consistency (it’s going to be hard not to dip your fingers in the mix. Resist!).
Cover the dough in plastic and leave it in your refrigerator overnight.
When you’re ready to bake, roll out your cookie dough mixture using a rolling pin. You’ll need two circular cookie cutters for these donuts – a large one and a small one to remove the center (because these are doughnut cookies, after all).
Place the cookies on a baking tray and cook them for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. You want them to be a nice golden brown when they come out of the oven.
In the meantime, create your icing. Dip your cookies into the mixture for the jelly-glazed finish.
Allow the cookies to be cool and dry before storing them in an airtight container.
Cinnamon Chocolate Fudge
Cinnamon chocolate fudge is a sweet Christmas treat that is sure to give everyone a sugar rush (that can be handy after a heavy meal). It’s simple to make too.
In a medium bowl, mix together some cinnamon, condensed milk, and vanilla. Then, toss in some chocolate chips and butter to the mixture. When everything is nicely combined, put the bowl in a saucepan of simmering water and heat it up for six to eight minutes.
When that’s all taken care of, prepare a baking dish with a lining of grease-proof paper, and use a spatula to pour the mixture out into the tray. Pop everything in the fridge for a couple of hours to let it firm up, and then remove the fudge and cut it into chunks before serving. Time to get those taste buds tingling!
Cherry and Pecan Divinity
Cherry and Pecan Divinity is a popular dish in the South of the US. The combination of toasted pecans, candied cherries, and nougat will win over anyone with a sweet tooth. It will take less than an hour to make, and it’s simple too.
For starters, place maraschino cherries on a plate with paper towels to soak up the juice. While the cherries are sitting on the plate, stir together corn syrup, sugar, and half a glass of water in a saucepan. Bring the mix to a boil and keep stirring until you get a lovely candy consistency. That should take eight to nine minutes.
In a bowl, beat together egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar for three to four minutes until you get a meringue-like consistency. Then, stir in the candy mix and add your pecans, cherries, and vanilla. Drop the candy onto your baking sheets and leave it in an airtight container for up to two weeks before serving (it is the perfect no-bake holiday dessert).