60 Holiday Party Recipes That Are Sure to Impress
From cocktail get-togethers to sit-down Christmas dinners, these festive recipes make entertaining easy!
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Our Best Ideas for Hosting
If you’re anything like us you’ll be hosting more than a few holiday celebrations this season. And, while we’ve all got a handful of tried-and-true recipes that we rely on for dinner parties and other get-togethers throughout the year, the holidays call for something extra special. That’s why we’ve rounded up all the holiday party essentials, right here. From appetizers and drinks (including eggnog!) through festive desserts, you’ll find everything you need for easy entertaining. We’ve even included some dazzling mains, like this gorgeous roast. You’ll be amazed at how much flavor it gets from a simple glaze of warming winter spices, maple syrup and tart pomegranate. It’s the perfect choice for a festive feast or sit-down dinner.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Glazed Pork
Goan Marzipan
Marzipan (or maçapão) was introduced to India by Portuguese colonizers who settled in Goa. What makes the Goan version special is the use of cashew nuts, which are grown locally and less expensive than the traditional almonds. The cashew marzipan is delicately flavored with rose water and just a hint of almond extract. It can be used in many ways and during the holidays, like Christmas, New Years and Easter, the marzipan is tinted and pressed into molds to make these fun and colorful little treats.
Get the Recipe: Goan Marzipan
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
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
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
Christmas Ornament Cheese Balls
The holidays are all about entertaining and decorating. Why not combine the two? These three colorful cheese ball "ornaments" are festive and fun – the perfect addition to a Christmas party or other celebration. Pair them with your favorite veggies and crackers and watch them disappear!
Get the Recipe: Christmas Ornament Cheese Balls
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
Pomegranate-Glazed Christmas Ribs
Shake things up this holiday season and replace your Christmas ham with Christmas ribs slathered with triple pomegranate flavor. First, we brush the ribs with sticky pomegranate molasses and rub them with a smoky warm spice blend. Second, we slow-roast them with pomegranate juice to keep things moist, along with some jalapeño for heat. After roasting, we use the pan juices to make a sticky-sweet and slightly spicy BBQ sauce. Finally, we garnish the ribs with fresh pomegranate seeds, for jewel-tone flecks of color and a tangy crunch in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate-Glazed Christmas Ribs
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
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
Cremasse
Cremasse (sometimes spelled cremas or kremas) is a traditional Haitian drink that’s shared with family and friends, usually at the holidays. It’s similar to eggnog and other festive winter drinks but doesn’t contain eggs. Although most recipes for this popular drink have you simply dumping all the ingredients together, infusing the spices into the cream at the beginning intensifies their flavor. And in case you’re wondering about the difference between rum and rhum: Rum is made from molasses, while rhum is made directly from sugarcane. Rum is typically sweet and syrupy, while rhum has more of a punch with herby, earthy flavors. Haitian rhum is often aged for as much as 8 years in oak barrels for even more flavor. Do seek out aged rhum for this festive drink for a true Haitian experience.
Get the Recipe: Cremasse
Standing Rib Roast
When you need an impressive centerpiece for your dinner table, try Anne's roast.
Get the Recipe: Standing Rib Roast
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
Ranch Dressing Cheese Log
Get the Recipe: Ranch Dressing Cheese Log
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Rosemary-Roasted Potatoes
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
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
Get the Recipe: Prime Rib Au Jus
Gorgonzola-Pear Toasts
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
Get the Recipe: Potato-Beef Canapes
Hot Corn Dip
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
Get the Recipe: Potato Puffs
Horseradish Shrimp
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
Get the Recipe: Struffoli
Christmas Queso
Get the Recipe: Christmas Queso
Savory Cheese Palmiers
Get the Recipe: Savory Cheese Palmiers
Holiday Roll-Ups
Get the Recipe: Holiday Roll Ups
Bacon Ranch Cream Cheese Wellington
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Cream Cheese Wellington
Baked Prosciutto and Brie with Apple Butter
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
Get the Recipe: Braciole With Orecchiette
Peanut Butter Truffles
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Truffles
Miss Mickey's Peanut Butter Balls
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
Get the Recipe: Butter Spritz Cookies
Cheese Fondue
Get the Recipe: Cheese Fondue
Antipasti de Salumi
Get the Recipe: Antipasti de Salumi
Chorizo Bites with Smoked Paprika and Piquillo Pepper Aioli
Get the Recipe: Chorizo Bites with Smoked Paprika and Piquillo Pepper Aioli
Herbed Hazelnuts
Get the Recipe: Herbed Hazelnuts
Bacon and Chive Green Bean Coins
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
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Scones
Butternut Squash and Mussel Soup
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash and Mussel Soup
Fettuccine with Lobster, Tomatoes and Saffron
Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter
Get the Recipe: Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter
Capital Eggnog
Get the Recipe: Capital Eggnog
Jerry's Sugared Pecans
Get the Recipe: Jerry's Sugared Pecans
Overnight Pot Roast
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
Get the Recipe: Spicy Seafood Chowder