Must-Have Christmas Recipes

The Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer

For the perfect low-stress starter, try this rich and creamy baked dip. Tip: Bake Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip in four small baking dishes, and place throughout the party area.

• Recipe: Blue Cheese-Bacon Dip

The Perfect Party Dish

Sprinkle pecans seasoned with ginger and curry over Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette.

“This salad is make ahead, great for casual or fancy parties, and easy to tote to a neighborhood get-together.” - Shirley Harrington, Senior Foods Editor

• Recipe: Spinach-Apple Salad With Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

The Keep-On-Hand Cookie

Stock your freezer with this simple dough and be ready to slice and bake in minutes.

• Recipe: Slice-and-Bake Shortbread Cookies

• Top Left: Cranberry-Orange Shortbread Cookies
• Top Right: Pecan Shortbread Cookies
• Bottom Left: Toffee-Espresso Shortbread Cookies
• Bottom Right: Coconut-Macadamia Nut Shortbread Cookies 

The Christmas Eve Main Dish

Use these tips to make our Test Kitchen's favorite lasagna in advance.

- Sauce can be made ahead. Let cool 30 minutes. Cover and chill up to 24 hours, or freeze up to 1 month.
- Make lasagna the day before: Prepare as directed through Step 3. Cover and chill up to 24 hours. Let stand 30 minutes before baking.
- Freeze lasagna 1 month ahead: Wrap unbaked lasagna with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze. Thaw 12 hours in refrigerator. Let stand 30 minutes; unwrap and bake as directed.
 

• Recipe: Classic Lasagna
  

The Go-To Side Dish

Green beans make almost everyone happy―especially with bacon added.  Red pepper perks up Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon, but it's tame enough for the whole family.

• Recipe: Green Beans With Mushrooms and Bacon

The Easiest Dinner Roll

This from-scratch recipe is suited for any level of cook - even first timers. Tip: Brush unbaked rolls with lightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and fennel seeds. Or, brush unbaked rolls with melted butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, kosher salt, coarsely ground pepper, and dried Italian seasoning.

• Recipe: Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent Rolls

The Tastiest Gift

Ready in 10 minutes, our velvety chocolate sauce and its delicious variations make terrific presents. When giving as a gift, include a reminder to refrigerate. 

• Recipe: Hot Fudge Sauce
• Variations: Espresso-Hot Fudge Sauce
• Whiskey-Hot Fudge Sauce
• Brown Sugar-Cinnamon Hot Fudge Sauce

The Most Festive Desserts

Turn our Hot Fudge Sauce into party-perfect sundaes.

• Recipes: Triple Mint Sundaes (pictured)
• Cookie Box Sundaes
• Cherry Ice-Cream Cordials

The Yummiest Cocktail

Celebrate in style with this holiday beverage. Peach preserves (like you would spread on biscuits) are the secret ingredient in Peach-Bourbon Sours. Cheers!

• Recipe: Peach-Bourbon Sours