Deliciously Easy Recipes
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.
This recipe for cranberry cake is a perfect holiday dessert. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s so moist, rich, and decadent, you’ll be dreaming about it all year long.
Are you looking for a festive dessert to make for your upcoming holiday party? Why not try this delicious cranberry cake? It’s the perfect blend of sweet and tart, and it’s sure to please everyone.
Plus, it’s easy to make, so you can focus on enjoying your party. So what are you waiting for? Try this cranberry cake today!
Made with cream cheese, cranberry sauce, oranges, and marshmallows, this classic Cranberry Salad Recipe is the perfect holiday side dish.
Looking for a new salad recipe to try? This cranberry salad is perfect for the holidays, and it’s so easy to make! Flavors include some fresh cranberries, mandarin oranges, mini marshmallows, and pecans.
The combination of tart and sweet flavors is delicious, and this salad is sure to become a favorite. So why not give it a try tonight? You won’t be disappointed!
View postEasy pineapple upside-down cake packed with buttery and vanilla flavors and tender crumb and crowned with canned pineapple slices and maraschino cherries.
With upside-down cakes we work in the opposite direction: we lay down the toppings first, and cover it with cake batter, but once the cake is baked, we flip it. And the bottom becomes the top of the cake – easy, stunning, genius!
View postSuper easy rolo pretzel bites for Christmas snacks and gifts with salty pretzels, sweet Rolo candies, M&M candies, and holiday sprinkles.
Every year the holiday season makes our to-do list grow exponentially day by day. We need simple gifts for school teachers and parents, colleagues, and loads of snacks for kids and visiting family. Our hands are full!
View postChristmas time is synonymous with cookie time, right? There’s no time of year when I get more excited to get in the kitchen and bake some cookies and these cornflake Christmas cornflake wreaths are one of my favorites to make.
With simple ingredients you can grab at the grocery store, this recipe couldn’t be more convenient and yet it’s such a spectacular presentation on any holiday table.
While I love to make pies and cakes during the holidays, I prefer handheld treats for holiday parties and gatherings. These peppermint Oreo balls and the perfect festive no-bake treat for any event.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up some of the prettiest peppermint truffles that will be a beautiful addition to your holiday dessert table. Their bright white coating speckled with red and white peppermint candy pieces will put anyone in the holiday spirit.
This delicious honey bun cake starts with a box of yellow cake mix, has moist soft crumb, sweet and crunchy cinnamon, and brown sugar filling, and is covered with sweet vanilla glaze. It is a twist on the classic honey bun swirls.
How many honey buns can you eat at once? It should be a competition somewhere on the planet. Oh wait…it is! There is even a World Guinness Record.
View postThis Easy Cheese Ball Recipe will have your guests asking for more! Loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon, and pecans. The best part is that this recipe is so simple and quick, you can whip it up in no time.
Do you love cheese balls but don’t know how to make them? This easy cheese ball recipe is perfect for any occasion! With only a handful of ingredients such as cheese, bacon, and seasonings, it’s simple and delicious.
You’ll be the hit of the party with this easy appetizer that’s sure to keep them coming back for more!
