No matter what you’re celebrating this holiday season, here are some classic recipes to make with the family, along with tips on cooking. You can find Christmas and Hanukkah recipes perfect to make during this time of year.
Scroll to the bottom for some insider recipes and tips from THS Foods Teacher Ms. Hafferkamp!
Christmas Recipes
Appetizers:
Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread: Easy to make and takes just 30 mins! Perfect for sharing.
https://www.allrecipes.com/cranberry-brie-pull-apart-bread-recipe-8732507
Pigs in a Blanket Wreath: These are always so delicious but this is even better because it looks like a wreath. It will have your guests thinking you’re really cool. This would be good to make if you’re trying to make “aesthetic” recipes.
https://www.allrecipes.com/pigs-in-a-blanket-wreath-recipe-8736042
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board: Easy and delicious, you could really put whatever you want on the board. A great way to make a basic thing christmassy.
https://www.allrecipes.com/christmas-tree-charcuterie-board-recipe-8423968
Entrees:
Baked Ham: A delicious and classic Christmas food. It takes 5 hours in total to make but only 10 minutes to prep. Most of the time is baking so there’s not much work on your part.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/34524/baked-ham/
Prime Rib: It is probably good, however there are a lot of steps. It takes 4 hours and 30 mins in total to make with a prep time of 10 mins.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/221958/chef-johns-perfect-prime-rib/
Side dishes:
Crispy Smashed Potatoes: How could you read the title and NOT want to make these. Make these if you love potatoes. You’ll love yourself for making these, trust me.
https://www.allrecipes.com/crispy-smashed-potatoes-recipe-8415794
Prime Rib Gravy: You’d think this recipe would be quick but somehow it’s prep time is 25 minutes. The total time to make it is 5 hrs and 35 mins. Obviously would be perfect to make with the prime rib.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8519674/prime-rib-gravy/
Mashed Potatoes: A classic side dish. It takes 20 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook. You could serve it with either of the entrees listed above.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/219077/chef-johns-perfect-mashed-potatoes/
Desserts:
Peppermint Mocha Cookie Bars: Looks delicious, would be great for sharing. Takes 20 mins to prep with a total of 2 hrs and 15 mins to make. An hour and 30 mins of the time is just for it to cool/ chill.
https://www.allrecipes.com/peppermint-mocha-cookie-bars-recipe-8423140
Puppy Chow Truffles: No, it’s not for your dog. Its crushed chex mix with peanut butter and sugar dipped in chocolate. It takes 15 min to prep and an hour and five minutes in total.
https://www.allrecipes.com/puppy-chow-truffles-recipe-8416000
Hanukkah Recipes
Appetizers: Smoked Salmon Spread: I can confirm this is good, my grandmother has made this before. Not super fishy and takes only 10 mins. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/15361/smoked-salmon-spread/
Mock Chopped Liver: If the real thing grosses you out too much, then try out this! Tastes the same except there’s no animal products. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/16835/mock-chopped-liver/
Sweet, Salty, Spicy Party Nut Mix: Great to snack on while you wait for food to cook. Easy to make, takes 10 mins to prep and 20 mins to bake.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/230159/sweet-salty-spicy-party-nuts/
Entree:
Baked Beef Brisket: A classic recipe for Hanukkah. The prep time is 20 mins but the total time is 12 hrs and 15 mins. If you want to make this make sure to start early!
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/273034/easy-baked-beef-brisket/
Side dishes:
Potato Pancakes: These are delicious! A classic side dish for Hanukkah. They take 10 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook. Serve with applesauce or sour cream.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14089/potato-pancakes-i/
Potato Kugel: It’s like a potato casserole. Takes 30 minutes to prepare and 1 hr 30 mins to cook.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/204133/old-fashioned-potato-kugel/
Challah Bread: Goes good with anything. Takes 30 mins to prepare and 1 hr 55 mins for total time. The recipe says to use a bread machine but if you don’t have one you could probably do the bread machine part yourself.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24419/bread-machine-challah-ii/
Desserts:
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies: Easy to make cookies, there’s no crazy steps. You combine all the ingredients in the same bowl. You have to let them chill for 8 hours though.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/11116/cream-cheese-sugar-cookies/
Raspberry and Apricot Rugelach: Sweet and fruity cookies. They are kind of difficult to make. I would not recommend making these if you’re new to baking. Make them if you want to impress people.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/11326/raspberry-and-apricot-rugelach/
Beignets: A delicious dessert that will have everyone wanting more just like in The Princess and The Frog. Prep time is 30 min with a total of 3 hrs to make.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/7179/beignets/
Not feeling the desserts above?
Mrs. Hafferkamp, THS Foods Teacher says “Cream puffs are a family favorite!” Here’s a link she provided if you want to make them https://sugarspunrun.com/homemade-cream-puffs/#recipe.
In cooking class she is going to be making her “ultimate pumpkin pie” she says: “It’s a delicious combination of a no-bake cheesecake and pumpkin pie. Back when I had my bakery, this was a top seller!” Here’s a link I found that might be similar to this: https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/easy-no-bake-pumpkin-cheesecake/
For Christmas, she says her favorite recipe is “mini pecan pie cookies with a cream cheese crust and a classic pecan filling.” Here’s a recipe I found that seems similar https://www.simplyrecipes.com/pecan-pie-cookies-recipe-8285868
Mrs. Hafferkamp’s Cooking Tips
- “I encourage making a detailed cooking schedule”
- “Consider cooking times for each dish and prep steps the day before”
- “Planning ahead always reduces your stress”
- “Prep and measure all ingredients ahead of time. This keeps the kitchen organized and reduces stress.”
