Deliciously Easy Recipes
When I entertain during the holiday season I love putting together a holiday cookie platter or a dessert tray with all sorts of different sweets. These rum balls are a necessary addition every year.
While many cookies take a bit of time to bake (and decorate), these little no-bake boozy treats come together in no time. And they’re always a hit!
View postEveryone has their favorite flavors that they seek out or that are their comfort at any given time of the year and I think I probably speak for a lot of us when I say that peppermint is that wintertime flavor I can’t get enough of. That’s why I decided to make this pretty peppermint poke cake.
For me, this cake just exudes holiday cheer with its bright white topping speckled with vibrant red peppermint candies. And the cake itself has just enough peppermint extract that’s balanced by the creamy mellowness of white chocolate in the pudding and the cake.
There are tons of different kinds of traditional cookies that I like to make during the holidays. However, one of my favorites to bake and serve are these gorgeous stained glass cookies.
These cookies look absolutely amazing and definitely give the impression that you spent a lot of time in the kitchen. Yet, they’re actually fairly simple and come together relatively quickly.
View postI love a seasonal cookie and these peppermint snowball cookies are just thing to fulfill that craving, whether it’s for Christmas or just cold weather.
They’re so pretty with their bright white and powdery coating. But then when you bite into them they have all of the minty flavor of the season.
View postWatching holiday movies is one of my favorite things to do in December and while there’s a long list of ones that I enjoy, I can’t help but continue to love How the Grinch Stole Christmas. So, clearly, that’s my inspiration for making these green Grinch pancakes.
These themed pancakes taste like any other delicious pancake on their own. However, they’re made extra sweet by topping them with a sweet cream cheese icing, green whipped cream, and red heart sprinkles.
I often start my day with savory breakfast food but there’s something about the holiday season that makes me want to indulge in something sweet like breakfast pastries in the morning. These raspberry pastry twists are a crafty compromise — they’re definitely sweet, but the airiness of the puffed pastry makes them feel like a lighter option.
While I do like to indulge in these myself, I also love making them for a crowd. Not only are they tasty, but they also make for a beautiful presentation on the table whether it’s for breakfast or dessert.
View postIs there anything that says “holiday time” more than a perfectly prepared plate of Christmas cookies? The best part of a well-made tray of cookies is in the variety from the traditional to the newly created versions — these Linzer cookies are a must to add to your cookie presentation.
Linzer cookies are, indeed, a traditional style cookie but their intricate aesthetic may make them seem less approachable to a novice baker. Trust me, though, these are way easier to make than they seem.
View postOnce the Christmas songs come on, I’m excited for all of the holiday desserts, even the store-bought ones. One of my favorites to see on the shelves inspired this Little Debbie Christmas Tree Dip.
Little Debbie knows how to make a popular snack cake or two, and this particular one doesn’t disappoint. Their Christmas tree cakes are so festive and adorable just as they are but I couldn’t resist making another dessert with them.
Once the turkey and stuffing are stashed in the fridge, I’m already full of all of the holiday cheer. I’m also ready to spread the holiday spirit (or spirits, if you will) sometimes in the form of this holiday punch.
When I’m entertaining during the holiday season, I love to have tons of family and friends over to celebrate but I also like to be able to actually enjoy their company rather than spend my time only in the kitchen. This great punch helps me to do that.
View postGluten-Free Christmas Cookies are a cute cut-out cookie treat for all your gluten-free friends. Gluten Free Sugar Cookies are tasty too!
Get ready for a holiday treat that everyone at your table can enjoy – Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies. These cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat, with their festive shapes and colorful decorations.
Imagine a sweet, buttery cookie with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, all dressed up in bright icings and sparkly sprinkles.
View postReindeer Oreo Balls are a cute no-bake holiday treat that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Fun for parties, potlucks, and more.
Hey there, holiday bakers! Are you ready to add some whimsy and joy to your festive dessert table? Let me introduce you to the delightful Reindeer Oreo Balls. These charming treats are not just adorable to look at but also a blast to make and eat!
Imagine bite-sized Oreo truffles, dressed up like little reindeer with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a bright red nose. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, Christmas parties, or just as a fun baking project with the family.
View postIf you’ve never heard of buckeye candies (or buckeye balls), let me tell you — they are extremely popular in the midwestern states in the US, particularly in Ohio. These delicious buckeye cookies beautifully emulate the original treat.
The original candies are made to look like buckeye nuts, largely dark in color (from the chocolate) but with a bit of brown (from the circle of peanut butter) exposed. These cookies look very similar.
View postKeto Fudge is a delicious holiday treat made with cream cheese. It is a great low-carb alternative to traditional holiday fudge recipes. Tastes so good, you’ll never know it’s sugar-free.
Are you looking for a delicious and indulgent keto dessert that will help you stick to your diet? Look no further than this keto fudge!
It’s easy to make, and it’s perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings. Plus, it’s low in carbs and sugar-free, so you can indulge without feeling guilty. Not to mention that it works like a fat bomb, so it keeps your macros in check!
View postRed Velvet Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies are soft and chewy and so easy to make with just 5 ingredients. Plus, there’s no chill time required! Perfect for Christmas – everyone loves them!
Wanna know a little secret? You can make delicious cookies from cake mix. Yep, that box of cake mix in your pantry can be transformed into something even more magical than cake.
These red velvet crinkle cookies are easy to make and taste amazing. Plus, they’re perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges! They are a crowd favorite – so be sure to make a double batch.
View postDecadent chocolate chip chocolate pound cake infused with loads of chocolate flavor. Moist crumb, bouncy cake texture, and heaps of melty chocolate chips inside.
If you love traditional pound cake, this recipe is like that but on steroids because we have not just double, but triple chocolate flavor: we have cocoa powder and chocolate chips in the cake batter, and we have rich creamy chocolate glaze on top of the cake (the best part of the cake, of course, especially if you ask children).
View postWhen I go to a party I definitely hover by the food — it’s a little dangerous to leave me by the chips and dip. This homemade cheese ball is exactly the kind of party appetizer that will have people crowding around it at your next gathering.
If you’re looking for easy appetizers to add to your holiday party spread look no further. This beauty takes nearly no time and yet it will be the best thing on your holiday table.
This Breakfast Charcuterie Board is the perfect spread to serve your holiday guests. Such a cute arrangement that makes holiday meals fun and easy for all ages. We made it into an Elf on the Shelf Breakfast Charcuterie Board but you could do any type of Christmas Breakfast Charcuterie Board.
Let’s start the day with something fun and delicious – a Breakfast Charcuterie Board! This meal is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.
Imagine a large board brimming with a bunch of breakfast favorites: fluffy waffles cut into cute Christmas shapes, savory sausage links, creamy cheeses, and an array of fresh fruits.
View postIt’s no secret that I love to cook, but some weeks I like to plan ahead so I have a few nights free — making a Sunday roast is a great way to do it. When that’s my game plan, I use this super easy oven roast beef recipe.
With only a few simple ingredients and just a smidgen of hands-on prep time, I can have this roast ready to pop in the oven in nearly no time at all. Then, I can whip up some other sides while it’s roasting (or sit down to watch the game).
View postDelicious shortbread cookies loaded with mini chocolate chips, walnuts & salty potato chips make these Buttery Walnut Potato Chip Cookies the BEST EVER!
It’s the cookie-baking season! I’m so excited to be jumping on board with 49 other bloggers to bring Taste the USA: Idaho Edition. All 50 of us are bringing you cookies inspired by the state where we live.
Because I live in Idaho, I, of course, had to incorporate what Idaho is known for, the potato into these Buttery Walnut Potato Chip Cookies. Funny enough, I think I heard that Oregon & Washington actually produces more potatoes than Idaho.
This post was originally written in 2016. It has since been updated with additional images and FAQs.
View postPeppermint Cookies are easy to make, loaded with white chocolate chips, peppermint bark, and peppermint crunch baking chips. They are soft and chewy and are the perfect holiday treat for peppermint lovers everywhere.
Calling all peppermint lovers! Do you love the taste and smell of peppermint? Then you’re going to love these cookies! They’re easy to make, and they’ll leave your kitchen smelling heavenly.
Plus, they’re perfect for Christmas or any other wintertime celebration. Enjoy!
Sugar Cookie Bars are easy to make, frosted, and decorated with sprinkles. They are super soft and chewy, just like your favorite holiday sugar cookie recipe.
Do you love sugar cookies, but don’t want to spend all night rolling and cutting them out? Then you need to try these sugar cookie bars!
They’re easy to make and fun to customize with your favorite frosting and sprinkles. Plus, they’re the perfect size for a quick snack or dessert. Enjoy!
View postMicrowave Peanut Brittle is one of the quickest and easiest holiday candy recipes with a taste just like grandma’s classic recipe you grew up with.
Looking for a fun and easy Christmas recipe? Why not try microwave peanut brittle? This tasty treat is simple to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.
Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover peanuts you might have lying around. Give it a try!
I’ll admit, for me there are few seafood dishes that are quite as delicious as some well-made crab cakes. Sometimes, though, I want that crab flavor in a different form — that’s where this hot crab dip comes in.
Not only does this dip have all of the flavor to fulfill any crabby craving, it’s warm and cheesy, too. Is there anything better than that?
View postAt our house we’ll put our smoker to good use at any opportunity we get, from making brisket or turkey to veggies. But since we have an avid hunter or two in our family, we’ve really come to love making smoked venison.
Venison is an extremely lean meat so preparing it well can sometimes require some skill. However, smoking it is probably the easiest way to get the best results — especially for a crowd.
When I entertain I like to have some simple appetizers but I also enjoy making a few elevated, yet simple, additions to the table. These stuffed olives are the perfect snack that’s so easy to make.
When I’m making party food I like for it to be fun and festive but also approachable. Everyone will chow down on chips and dips or cheese and crackers, so those are always staples. But who doesn’t want to have something a little more exciting, too?
View postThere are special occasions that call for specific dishes — turkey on Thanksgiving is an obvious one, and ham on Easter is pretty prevalent. When it comes to the Christmas holiday season, in our household an oven beef tenderloin is a must.
That said, we don’t reserve this tasty roast for just holidays either. It’s great for any gathering and I make it for dinner on weeknights, occasionally, too.
This dish works so well because it’s such a flavorful beef cut that very little has to be done to it before roasting. Then, the time that it takes to roast allows me the opportunity to make all of the side dishes I want to go along with it.
View postWhile this is, admittedly, pretty far from a traditional version of a salad, raspberry pretzel salad is a Midwestern staple that wows guests every time.
With a salty pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese filling, and a fruit-filled jello top layer, this raspberry jello salad is more like a pie than it is a salad. But it has fruit, so who needs to question it, right?
View postWe love using our smoker for anything from beef and lamb to corn and macaroni and cheese — smoked foods turn out delicious every time. This smoked shrimp is no different!
Whether I’m looking for a quick dinner during the week, or an easy appetizer, these shrimp deliver. It only takes a few minutes to peel and season them and then the smoker does the rest of the work.
View postPotatoes au gratin is a creamy and cheesy potato dish that will make your family beg for seconds. This dish is perfect for a cozy winter night, holiday meals, and busy weeknights alike, and it’s easy to prepare. All you need are some potatoes, cheese, milk, and butter.
While it may take some time to prepare, the end result is worth the effort. And, best of all, leftovers reheat perfectly, so you can enjoy this dish for days to come. So, whether you’re looking for a special weekend meal or a special side dish, potatoes au gratin is sure to hit the spot.
I often love to bake desserts that are decadent but once in a while I like something lighter with fruit flavor. This stained glass jello fits the bill for that — plus it has the pretties of presentations.
It’s easy to just pull a box of jello out of the cabinet and whip it up and let it set but this version, with it’s different colors and layers, is perfect for a special occasion. I like to use the green and the red to make a Christmas jello for the holiday season, but you can adjust for any event you’re making it for.
View postAre you on the naughty or nice list this year? You may find out if you make this Christmas coal — see who sneaks it into your stocking!
The tradition of coal being placed in a stocking for those on the naughty list is a story referred to each holiday season. Before the Elf on the Shelf, we had to consider the possibility of pieces of coal in our stockings on Christmas morning from St. Nicholas.
The holiday season can be filled with tons of complicated or time-consuming desserts — while they’re often worth the effort, sometimes I want something sweet and simple. This Christmas puppy chow is an easy recipe full of sweet and salty flavor and crunchy texture.
Some people call it reindeer food or Christmas muddy buddies (or even Christmas crack), and there are plenty of other names for this sweet treat. All I call it is delicious!
Puppy chow is typically just a sweet snack mix but this recipe is the Christmas version. Cereal pieces, pretzels, and a chocolate peanut butter mixture are covered with confectioner’s sugar and mixed with fun Christmas-colored candy — it’s the perfect treat for the holidays.
