50 Holiday Recipes You'll Definitely Want to Include in Your Christmas Festivities

By Southern Living Editors

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas: Food Styling: Torie Cox

Nothing captures the spirit of Christmas quite like the familiar smells that fill your Southern kitchen, season after holiday season. From party-pleasing appetizers to festive dinner dishes to classic holiday cookies, food is what brings us together every December.This year, we're getting the party started with 14 new holiday appetizers that suit any size or type of gathering. Whether you're swapping gifts with girlfriends, hosting a family gathering, or having the whole neighborhood over after the tree lighting, one of these snacks will see you through, from the sweet-and-spicy meatballs to the beer cheese fondue to the smoked sausage pretzel bites.We settled on three special-occasion mains—think citrusy, brown sugared baked ham and herby prime rib—to go with standout side dishes you never knew you needed. (Seriously, wait until you see the Melting Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprout Slaw.) And then onto the cookies...it's not Christmas without a few dozen of those. We've got you (and your cookie swaps!) covered with Yuletide-ready recipes, including peppermint truffles, ambrosia macaroons, and brown sugar cookie stars.But for the Christmas Eve dinner, save the very best: Southern Living's 2019 White Cake. We gave this holiday classic a delicious new makeover. A Chocolate-Buttermilk Cake is generously iced with a special Swiss Meringue Buttercream and topped sugary cake toppers in the form of two iconic Southern flowers: magnolias and camellias.Have a merry little Christmas, y'all, starting with these 50 best-ever holiday recipes.

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Sweet-and-Spicy Meatballs

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Meatballs

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Cacio e Pepe Puffs

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Cacio e Pepe Puffs

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Creamed Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Creamed Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

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Chipotle Cheese Straws

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chipotle Cheese Straws

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Roasted Oysters with Bacon-Saltine Topping

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Roasted Oysters with Bacon-Saltine Topping

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Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets

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Beer-Cheese Fondue

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Beer-Cheese Fondue

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Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites

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Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites

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Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce

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Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly

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Rosemary-Bacon Nut Mix

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Rosemary-Bacon Nut Mix

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Parmesan Grits Triangles with Pesto

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Parmesan Grits Triangles with Pesto

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Marinated Olives and Peppadews

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Marinated Olives and Peppadews

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Pickled Shrimp-and-Citrus Endive Cups

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Pickled Shrimp-and-Citrus Endive Cups

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Beef Tenderloin Crostini

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Beef Tenderloin Crostini

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Spicy Shrimp with Jalapeño Cornbread and Aïoli

Credit: Cedric Angeles; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Spicy Shrimp with Jalapeño Cornbread and Aïoli

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Butternut Squash Triangles

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Butternut Squash Triangles

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Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

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Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

Credit: Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

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Root Vegetable-and-Butternut Squash Gratin

Credit: Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Root Vegetable-and-Butternut Squash Gratin

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Baked Ham with Brown Sugar-Citrus Glaze

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Baked Ham with Brown Sugar-Citrus Glaze

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Melting Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Melting Sweet Potatoes

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Roasted Chicken with Apples and Herbs

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Roasted Chicken with Apples and Herbs

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Creamed Greens Casserole

Credit: Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Creamed Greens Casserole

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Brussels Sprout Slaw with Pecans and Pomegranate Seeds

Credit: Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Brussels Sprout Slaw with Pecans and Pomegranate Seeds

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Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Cheesy Garlic-Herb-and-Ham Bites

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Cranberry-Pecan Coffee Cake

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cranberry-Pecan Coffee Cake

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Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spiked Eggnog Bundt Cake

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Old-Fashioned Trifle

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Trifle

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Hot Buttered Rum Bread Pudding

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Hot Buttered Rum Bread Pudding

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Best-Ever Brownies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Best-Ever Brownies

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Homemade Pralines

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Homemade Pralines

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Cream Cheese Cookie Wreaths

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cream Cheese Cookie Wreaths

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Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Praline Filling

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with Praline Filling

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Peppermint Truffles

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Peppermint Truffles

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Brown Sugar Cookie Stars

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Brown Sugar Cookie Stars

Recipe: Easy Royal Icing

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Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sprinkle Sandwich Cookies

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Sugar-and-Spice Rugelach Cookies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Sugar-and-Spice Rugelach Cookies

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Candy Cane Cake Bars

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Candy Cane Cake Bars

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Dipped Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Dipped Pistachio Shortbread Cookies

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Ambrosia Macaroons

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Ambrosia Macaroons

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Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Cranberry-Orange Butter Cookies

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Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Ginger-Molasses Cookies

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Chocolate-Pecan Biscotti

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Chocolate-Pecan Biscotti

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Buttermilk-Chocolate Cake

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas: Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Buttermilk-Chocolate Cake

Recipe: Magnolia Flower Cake Toppers

Recipe: Camellia Flower Cake Toppers

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Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas: Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Swiss Meringue Buttercream

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50 Holiday Recipes You'll Definitely Want to Include in Your Christmas Festivities

1 of 47

Sweet-and-Spicy Meatballs

1 of 47

2 of 47

Cacio e Pepe Puffs

2 of 47

3 of 47

Creamed Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms

3 of 47

4 of 47

Chipotle Cheese Straws

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5 of 47

Roasted Oysters with Bacon-Saltine Topping

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6 of 47

Cheesy Mushroom Tartlets

6 of 47

7 of 47

Beer-Cheese Fondue

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8 of 47

Smoked Sausage Pretzel Bites

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9 of 47

Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites

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10 of 47

Mini Crab Cakes with Cajun Sauce

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11 of 47

Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly

11 of 47

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Rosemary-Bacon Nut Mix

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13 of 47

Parmesan Grits Triangles with Pesto

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14 of 47

Marinated Olives and Peppadews

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15 of 47

Pickled Shrimp-and-Citrus Endive Cups

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Beef Tenderloin Crostini

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Spicy Shrimp with Jalapeño Cornbread and Aïoli

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Butternut Squash Triangles

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Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

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Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

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Root Vegetable-and-Butternut Squash Gratin

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Baked Ham with Brown Sugar-Citrus Glaze

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Melting Sweet Potatoes

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Roasted Chicken with Apples and Herbs

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Creamed Greens Casserole

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Brussels Sprout Slaw with Pecans and Pomegranate Seeds