Our Best Holiday Party Recipes

From holiday cocktail parties to sit-down Christmas dinners (and everything in between), these festive recipes are guaranteed to impress — and make entertaining easy!

October 18, 2021

Related To:

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Photo By: Teri Lyn Fisher

Photo By: Con Poulos

Photo By: Quentin Bacon ©Quentin Bacon

Photo By: Kate Mathis

Photo By: Con Poulos

Photo By: Lucy Schaeffer

Photo By: Con Poulos

Photo By: Lucy Schaeffer

Photo By: Anna Williams

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Con Poulos

Photo By: Jamie Baigrie

Photo By: David Malosh

Photo By: Devon Jarvis /Studio D ©Hearst Communications Inc., 2012

Photo By: Anna Williams

Pomegranate Glazed Pork

You'll be amazed at how much flavor a simple glaze gives this pork roast. Warming winter spices like cinnamon and cloves are balanced with sweet maple syrup, tart pomegranate and savory thyme.

Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Glazed Pork

Pizza Wreath

A sausage and pepperoni pizza transforms into a festive wreath for the holiday season. Top with a golden-brown dough bow and sprinkle with fresh basil for a dish that's almost too cute to eat.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Wreath

Gigantic Standing Snowman

This impressive centerpiece is perfect for feeding a crowd at your ugly sweater party this holiday season. Coated with a meringue frosting, these bite-size cupcakes are as light as snow and easy to pull off and enjoy during the festivities.

Get the Recipe: Gigantic Standing Snowman

Tortellini Skewers

Ree uses festive colors for these tasty skewers: store-bought spinach tortellini and fresh mozzarella for white, cherry tomatoes for red and adrizzle of pesto for green.

Get the Recipe: Tortellini Skewers

Birch De Noël

If you're hosting a winter wonderland-themed party then this spin on the classic Yuletide cake is a perfect choice. Instead of the original meringue mushroom-covered log, this one is made to look like a lovely white birch instead.

Get the Recipe: Birch De Noël

Spinach and Feta Rugelach

One of your favorite appetizers (spinach dip) is the perfect flavor inspiration for this savory spin on buttery, rolled rugelach. Molly smartly uses feta for just the right amount of saltiness.

Get the Recipe: Spinach and Feta Rugelach

Ranch Dressing Cheese Log

Trisha's cheese log is an ideal snack or appetizer for holiday entertaining. For picture-perfect presentation, roll the log in chopped pecans and serve with crackers or bagel chips.

Get the Recipe: Ranch Dressing Cheese Log

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Ina's roasted potatoes are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. The key to perfect texture is to cut the potatoes crosswise, then toss in olive oil and roast on high heat for just half an hour.

Get the Recipe: Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Candy Melt Trees

When you need a quick and easy (but oh-so-festive) decoration for holiday desserts, use candy melts instead of chocolate — no tempering required!

Get the Recipe: Candy Melt Trees

Wine-Poached Figs

This simple and elegant appetizer is ready in only 15 minutes. Pair the poached figs with bread, a boldcheese and your choice of wine for easy holiday entertaining.

Get the Recipe: Wine-Poached Figs

Standing Rib Roast

When you need an impressive centerpiece for your dinner table, try Anne's roast.

Get the Recipe: Standing Rib Roast

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

At your holiday brunch, tell guests to have fun with this pull-apart treat and enjoy with coffee or tea.

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Snowman Banana Nog

This snowman decoration comes together in a few minutes and makes a sweet way to serve a winter mocktail. The creamy white nog is dazzled with the wintry flavors of nutmeg and allspice.

Get the Recipe: Snowman Banana Nog

Gingerbread Spiced Nuts

These sweet-and-spicy nuts are the perfect addition to any holiday cheeseboard or cocktail party spread.

Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Spiced Nuts

Prime Rib au Jus

Tender and juicy prime rib is topped with Sandra Lee's au jus reduction sauce that features Worcestershire and red wine. Pair with a vegetable side dish for any holiday meal.

Get the Recipe: Prime Rib Au Jus

Gorgonzola-Pear Toasts

Make these sweet and salty toast bites in just 25 minutes. If you don't have Gorgonzola cheese on hand, you can use any creamy favorite.

Get the Recipe: Gorgonzola-Pear Toasts

Individual Meringue Swan Lakes

Light-as-air meringue swans float upon individual meringue lakes filled with rich vanilla creme anglaise. This dessert is almost too beautiful to eat.

Get the Recipe: Individual Meringue Swan Lakes

Potato-Beef Canapes

Make the beef for this canape the day before to spend less time in the kitchen on the day of your party.

Get the Recipe: Potato-Beef Canapes

Hot Corn Dip

On a chilly winter evening, Trisha Yearwood's cheesy dip will warm up the crowd. Chopped green chiles and Monterey Jack add a kick to the creamy corn.

Get the Recipe: Hot Corn Dip

Herb Coeur a la Creme

Ina's 15 minute cream cheese round is an easy yet elegant way to start your party.

Get the Recipe: Herb Coeur a La Creme

White Chocolate Caramel

Roasting high-quality white chocolate magically turns it into an addictive caramel. Stir it into hot chocolate, sandwich it between two cookies or drizzle it over ice cream.

Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Caramel

Potato Puffs

These comforting Potato Puffs make a convenient appetizer in a pinch. They come together with the help of pantry staples, like whole milk, flour, vegetable oil and butter.

Get the Recipe: Potato Puffs

Horseradish Shrimp

Instead of serving traditional shrimp and cocktail sauce, coat shrimp in a tomato and horseradish sauce before baking and then serve at room temperature.

Get the Recipe: Horseradish Shrimp

Winter Hat Cake

With a variety of pastry tip shapes, you can create a knitted-wool look for this cozy cake. And after your guests are finished admiring, slice into it for a chocolate candy-filled surprise.

Get the Recipe: Winter Hat Cake

Salt Cod Dip

A creamy spread of salt cod, potatoes and garlic is perfect for dipping crisp crackers.

Get the Recipe: Salt Cod Dip

Peppermint Fried Dough

Can't wait to sneak one of the candy canes off the tree? Try these pepperminty fried dough bites, instead!

Get the Recipe: Peppermint Fried Dough

Filet of Beef with Mushrooms and Blue Cheese

Ina Garten’s filet of beef is ideal for the holidays: It’s foolproof — and guaranteed to impress!

Get the Recipe: Filet of Beef with Mushrooms and Blue Cheese

Snowman Punch

This creamy and cool punch — inspired by a Ramos gin fizz — is a real knockout, complete with a snowman chilling out in drifts of bubbles. To make it ahead, you can assemble the snowman body in advance and pop it in the freezer, adding the scarf just before serving.

Get the Recipe: Snowman Punch

Struffoli

Giada de Laurentiis makes this festive Italian dessert with her family every year for the holidays. A sweet honey sauce binds the fried dough balls and hazelnuts into a wreath shape topped with sprinkles.

Get the Recipe: Struffoli

Christmas Queso

Ree makes this four-ingredient dip with large hunks of white blanco-style cheese, diced red chiles and tomatoes, along with jalapenos to amp up the spice factor and give a bit of green color. Once the cheese is melted, it's ready to serve with tortilla chips.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Queso

Savory Cheese Palmiers

Use store-bought puff pastry to make Sandra's crispy crackers, then top them with your favorite cheese blend.

Get the Recipe: Savory Cheese Palmiers

Holiday Roll-Ups

Ree's easy-to-make roll-ups can be made and stored in the fridge until party time. They are filled with a blend of cream cheese, ranch dressing mix and black pepper.

Get the Recipe: Holiday Roll Ups

Bacon Ranch Cream Cheese Wellington

Melissa's dip is a cross between a baked brie in pastry and a more kid-friendly cream cheese log. The result is elegant enough for entertaining, but the bacon and ranch flavors mean kids will love it too. Once you master this easy recipe, experiment with other flavors: garlic-sauteed mushrooms or curry paste, if you are hosting adults.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Cream Cheese Wellington

Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter

Tyler Florence piles prosciutto and apple onto a baguette before topping with brie. The cheese will become goey and delicious when baked in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter

Chocolate Chip Biscookie

The holiday season is synonymous with cookies, and the most well-loved cookie of childhood is probably the chocolate chip variety. Melissa's recipe is part cookie, part biscotti — sweet and soft enough to eat like a cookie, but hard enough to be perfect for coffee dipping.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Biscookie

Braciole with Orecchiette

In this Italian dish, thin slices of meat are rolled with a prosciutto and provolone filling. Serve over orecchiette pasta tossed with a fresh tomato sauce.

Get the Recipe: Braciole With Orecchiette

Peanut Butter Truffles

Peanut butter, sugar and butter are whipped into luscious truffle dough, then rolled in a variety of toppings and chilled to form these bite-size desserts perfect for holiday entertaining.

Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Truffles

Miss Mickey's Peanut Butter Balls

Trisha's no-bake peanut butter balls take only 20 minutes to prepare. Although they can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks, there's a good chance they will be long gone before then.

Get the Recipe: "Miss" Mickey's Peanut Butter Balls

Crepes

Try both the sweet and savory versions of Alton's crepe recipe. Stuff with a filling or simply top with powdered sugar for an elegant treat.

Get the Recipe: Crepes

Butter Spritz Cookies

One of the most-iconic holiday sweets, spritz are bite-size buttery cookies flavored with vanilla and almond extract. Decorate them with red and green sprinkles for an extra festive touch.

Get the Recipe: Butter Spritz Cookies

Cheese Fondue

Make a cheese blend of Swiss and Gruyere that is great for your favorite bite-sized dippers like chunks of bread, apples, broccoli, cauliflower and more.

Get the Recipe: Cheese Fondue

Antipasti de Salumi

Slice fontina into Christmas trees and mozzarella into star shapes for a festive antipasti display.

Get the Recipe: Antipasti de Salumi

Chorizo Bites with Smoked Paprika and Piquillo Pepper Aioli

Serve seared chorizo over a dollop of zesty aioli for a flavorful holiday appetizer that will leave your guests eager for the main course.

Get the Recipe: Chorizo Bites with Smoked Paprika and Piquillo Pepper Aioli

Herbed Hazelnuts

With a little bit of thyme, lemon zest and rosemary, you can turn hazelnuts into a holiday snack that's ready long before your party starts.

Get the Recipe: Herbed Hazelnuts

Bacon and Chive Green Bean Coins

Here's some good news for bacon lovers: center-cut bacon is lower in fat than the regular cut. Using it in this vegtable a smoky saltiness; cutting the green beans into coins is a fun way to serve them and eat them by the spoonful.

Get the Recipe: Bacon and Chive Green Bean Coins

Asparagus and Jack Cheese Frittata

Frittatas are an easy way to feed a crowd on a budget. Aida uses asparagus and cheese to flavor the eggs, but any combination of vegetables and cheese would be great.

Get the Recipe: Asparagus and Jack Cheese Frittata

Buttermilk Scones

Melissa's easy Buttermilk Scones offer the perfect amount of sweetness, thanks to the combination of white and coarse brown sugar. Use a bit of earthy fresh rosemary to balance out the sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Scones

Butternut Squash and Mussel Soup

Ditalini pasta and tender cubes of butternut squash make the perfect accompaniment for rich, plump mussels in this festive holiday soup.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash and Mussel Soup

Fettuccine with Lobster, Tomatoes and Saffron

If you're celebrating the holidays with seafood, try this crowd-pleasing lobster-and-fettuccine dish. With tender chunks of lobster meat and a rich saffron-based sauce, this dish is ideal for a special occasion.

Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter

Treat your holiday guests to a comforting pancake breakfast this year. Tyler's fluffy buttermilk pancakes are flavored with toasted ground pecans and studded with sweet banana slices. Top them off with a compound butter made with honey and maple syrup for a sweet finishing touch.

Get the Recipe: Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter

Capital Eggnog

This award-winning recipe (from an eggnog competition in Arkansas) is a decadent drink your guests will love.

Get the Recipe: Capital Eggnog

Jerry's Sugared Pecans

Guests may need to be warned that it's impossible to eat just one of these sugar-covered nuts. The crunchy, sweet coating makes Trisha's pecans irresistible.

Get the Recipe: Jerry's Sugared Pecans

Overnight Pot Roast

Sandra uses flank steak, an inexpensive cut of meat, for her pot roast. Let it cook overnight in a slow cooker to soak up all the spices and flavors.

Get the Recipe: Overnight Pot Roast

Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Ellie's red pepper and walnut dip is quick and easy to make (it's done in 15 minutes!); Set it out alongside a vegetable platter for an elegant appetizer spread.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Crispy-Skin Black Sea Bass with Avocado, Tomatillo and Fennel Relish

For a lighter holiday entertaining main, try Bobby's black sea bass with a crunchy relish that's both sweet and spicy.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Skin Black Sea Bass with Avocado, Tomatillo and Fennel Relish

Peruvian Seafood Chowder

Seafood dishes always have a place on the holiday table. This seafood chowder is rich, hearty and full of flavor, but as a main dish, it's low in calories.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Seafood Chowder

On Tonight

Holiday Central

Our Best Holiday Party Recipes

Related To:

Pomegranate Glazed Pork

Pizza Wreath

Gigantic Standing Snowman

Tortellini Skewers

Birch De Noël

Spinach and Feta Rugelach

Ranch Dressing Cheese Log

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Candy Melt Trees

Wine-Poached Figs

Standing Rib Roast

Cinnamon Roll Wreath

Snowman Banana Nog

Gingerbread Spiced Nuts

Prime Rib au Jus

Gorgonzola-Pear Toasts

Individual Meringue Swan Lakes

Potato-Beef Canapes

Hot Corn Dip

Herb Coeur a la Creme

White Chocolate Caramel

Potato Puffs

Horseradish Shrimp

Winter Hat Cake

Salt Cod Dip

Peppermint Fried Dough

Filet of Beef with Mushrooms and Blue Cheese

Snowman Punch

Struffoli

Christmas Queso

Savory Cheese Palmiers

Holiday Roll-Ups

Bacon Ranch Cream Cheese Wellington

Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter

Chocolate Chip Biscookie

Braciole with Orecchiette

Peanut Butter Truffles

Miss Mickey's Peanut Butter Balls

Crepes

Butter Spritz Cookies

Cheese Fondue

Antipasti de Salumi

Chorizo Bites with Smoked Paprika and Piquillo Pepper Aioli

Herbed Hazelnuts

Bacon and Chive Green Bean Coins

Asparagus and Jack Cheese Frittata

Buttermilk Scones

Butternut Squash and Mussel Soup

Fettuccine with Lobster, Tomatoes and Saffron

Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter

Capital Eggnog

Jerry's Sugared Pecans

Overnight Pot Roast

Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Crispy-Skin Black Sea Bass with Avocado, Tomatillo and Fennel Relish

Peruvian Seafood Chowder

More from:

Related Pages