Planning a Christmas feast is easier when you stick to the classics. These 19 recipes cover the whole day, from make-ahead cinnamon rolls and a proper prime rib to pudding, pecan pie, and a few things to put on the table before anyone sits down.
Every recipe here has its own full write-up: real prep and cook times, a complete ingredient list, and step-by-step instructions, so you can actually plan the day around them.
1. Foolproof Cinnamon Rolls (Prep the Night Before)
These rolls rise in the fridge overnight, so on Christmas morning all you do is bake and glaze. The smell alone gets everyone to the table.
Get the full recipe: Foolproof Cinnamon Rolls (Prep the Night Before).
2. Herb-Crusted Prime Rib
An herb-crusted prime rib turns the meal into a fine dining experience, yet it is surprisingly straightforward: a quick rub, a hot sear, and the oven does the rest.
Get the full recipe: Herb-Crusted Prime Rib.
3. Grandma’s Classic Stuffing
A traditional bread stuffing with sage, rosemary, and thyme. It stays true to the old recipe and goes with everything on the table.
Get the full recipe: Grandma’s Classic Stuffing.
4. Spiked Hot Chocolate
Rich, velvety hot chocolate with a shot of Irish cream. It turns a simple drink into the part of the evening people ask about later.
Get the full recipe: Spiked Hot Chocolate.
5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Roasting with bacon is what converts Brussels sprouts skeptics. The sprouts caramelize, the bacon crisps, and the pan comes back empty.
Get the full recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon.
6. Gingerbread Cookies
A sturdy spiced dough that holds its shape for cutting and decorating. Half the point is the baking; the other half is everyone around the table with icing.
Get the full recipe: Gingerbread Cookies.
7. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Cream cheese and warm cream are the secret to mashed potatoes smooth enough to steal attention from the main course.
Get the full recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
8. Traditional Christmas Pudding
A rich, fruity steamed pudding you make weeks ahead and reheat on the day. The overnight fruit soak does most of the work.
Get the full recipe: Traditional Christmas Pudding.
9. Classic Eggnog
Homemade eggnog is richer and fresher than anything from a carton. Spike it or keep it family friendly.
Get the full recipe: Classic Eggnog.
10. Honey Glazed Ham
A sweet and savory glaze that caramelizes in the oven turns a simple ham into a centerpiece. Straightforward to make, big on flavor.
Get the full recipe: Honey Glazed Ham.
11. Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest
Homemade cranberry sauce with orange zest and a hint of cinnamon balances sweet and tart, and it goes with any roasted meat.
Get the full recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest.
12. Yorkshire Pudding
A British classic: crispy outside, soft inside, and made for soaking up gravy. They pair well with beef or lamb.
Get the full recipe: Yorkshire Pudding.
13. Mulled Wine (Glühwein)
Red wine warmed with spices and citrus. A staple of holiday markets and the easiest way to warm up a gathering.
Get the full recipe: Mulled Wine (Glühwein).
14. Classic Pecan Pie
A Southern favorite with a rich, nutty filling and a flaky crust. Baking it fills the house with the smell of toasted pecans and caramelized sugar.
Get the full recipe: Classic Pecan Pie.
15. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
A silky, warming starter for Christmas dinner. Garnish with a swirl of cream or toasted seeds.
Get the full recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup.
16. Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans
Warm, melty cheese with tart cranberries and crunchy pecans. Quick to make and usually the first dish to disappear.
Get the full recipe: Baked Brie with Cranberries and Pecans.
17. Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes
Golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside, seasoned with garlic and fresh herbs. They go with any main course.
Get the full recipe: Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes.
18. Sticky Toffee Pudding
A moist date cake soaked in warm toffee sauce. This British dessert is the sweet finale your guests will remember.
Get the full recipe: Sticky Toffee Pudding.
19. Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Layers of dark and white chocolate topped with crushed peppermint candies. Easy to make, and just as good for gifting as for the dessert table.
Get the full recipe: Chocolate Peppermint Bark.
good to have in the kitchen
A handful of things make a classic Christmas spread much easier to pull off on the day.
A a meat thermometer, the only reliable way to pull the prime rib and ham at the right temperature.
A a stand mixer, makes quick work of the cinnamon roll and gingerbread doughs.
A a pudding basin, what the Christmas pudding actually steams in, not a regular bowl.
A a candy thermometer, keeps the toffee sauce and bark from scorching.
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