Retro Christmas Recipes That Grandma Would Approve Of
Bring generations together at your holiday dinner with recipes inspired by dishes of decades’ past.
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Bring generations together at your holiday dinner with recipes inspired by dishes of decades’ past. Modern twists on retro favorites like fondue, cheese balls and punch will bring holiday cheer to guests of any age. Give a nod to Grandma and make one of these recipes for Christmas Day.
You’ll want to dust off the fondue pot in the back of your cabinet for this one. No retro appetizer spread would be complete without hot, melty cheese. Tyler Florence’s Cheese Fondue (pictured above) comes together in just 25 minutes and serves as a comforting and fun addition to your holiday table with fresh fruit, veggies and, of course, bread.
Shrimp cocktail is an easy dish to feed a crowd. This year, try Ina Garten’s tried-and-true 5-star recipe with roasted shrimp for a more sophisticated twist. It’s worth the extra few minutes to make her super-simple cocktail sauce instead of cracking open a jar.
Cory Dawson
Christmastime used to call for cheese masterpieces shaped like trees. Food Network Magazine’s modern take is a character most children will recognize. Mold the cream cheese and cheddar cheese into the body of the snowman and let the kids decorate his arms, face and hat.
Con Poulos
It might be hard to believe, but there was time when holiday ham came in a can. That said, we don’t suggest pulling out the can opener anytime soon. Instead, opt for a truly homemade Christmas ham that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. If you want to keep with retro aesthetics, garnish it with pineapple slices (instead of the pictured citrus) just like the good old days.
Christmas carolers recognize the lyrics “Bring us some figgy pudding,” but does anyone actually know what it is? The sticky, sweet dish is a classic British Christmas treat that isn’t actually a pudding at all. It’s more like a cake. This recipe makes individual servings that your history-buff guests can try.
Borrow Grandma’s punch bowl for a festive addition to your bar. Use a Bundt pan to freeze ingredients like cranberries, thyme and bay leaves into an ice ring that floats in Valerie Bertinelli’s Cranberry-Orange Holiday Punch.
