Every year we host a fair number of events over the holidays. We usually have a Holiday Kick Off Party at the end of November, a Family Party, Boxing Day gathering, sometimes a cookie exchange, Holiday Coffee (Bailey’s Optional), etc. We host more in Nov/Dec than we do all the rest of the months combined…which I vow to change every year! The house just looks nice over the holidays with the sparkling lights covering up dust and any other imperfections that one may notice 😉 It also means it’s time to get out my list of  Top 10 go-to holiday recipes! 🙂

Over the course of hosting holiday gatherings, I have a list of go-to recipes that I make each year, without fail. I thought I would share some of those with you today, in case you were in need of a new recipe or two. Who knows…they might make it on to your “Must Make” list for next year.

My Top 10 Go-To Holiday Recipes

1. Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls

My life changed when I started making these Cinnamon Rolls…I ACTUALLY heard angels sing! 😉 If these didn’t make an appearance on Christmas morning, I think my son might actually shed tears…they are delicious. This recipe takes some time…and space…but are so worth it. I generally mix my dough up one day, and then do the assembling and baking the next. It makes about 8 pans, so I always wrap up a few with a nice ribbon and give them away as gifts. I don’t know if one should declare Cinnamon Rolls as a Christmas miracle….but these are darn close.

2. Brie en Croute

This is a fantastic show-stopper recipe to bring to a party. Brie en Croute doesn’t take that long to assemble, but it does take some time to bake…25 min… and then let rest…45 min…so you need to plan ahead for this one. The fresh rosemary, honey and pecans all combine over warmed brie cheese wrapped in puff pastry…oh..my…word…forget the crackers, just pass me a fork! *I have substituted dried cranberries for the dried cherries in this.

3. Simple Sugar Cookies

This is the sugar cookie recipe I make when I don’t have a lot of time, but want to bring a batch to a party, the office, for the kids, etc. Everyone loves a sugar cookie and this one is delicious and prettied up with Christmas sprinkles, really makes a nice addition to a table. *I buy my Christmas sprinkles at the Bulk Barn every year…but you have to get them early, as they sell out.

4. Christmas Granola

I started making this Christmas Granola a few years ago and now its on the list of things I always make. This makes a great gift for someone, but is really nice to have over the holidays for breakfast with some greek vanilla yogurt. We can’t live on cookies and dip alone…I tried…and don’t recommend it. 😉

5. Warm Cranberry Harvest Dip

I’ve been making Warm Cranberry Dip for years and I make it at least three times during the Christmas season. A warm dip is always nice, and the toasted almonds really make this delicious! It also keeps in the fridge for a day or two, so you can make it ahead and just pop it in the oven. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

6. Spicy Maple Nuts

Spicy Maple Nuts are another great gift to give or bring to a party. People will be asking you for the recipe…trust me. Buy a big jar of mixed nuts from the Superstore or Costco and that will make you almost 2 batches. This only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish…and you will have to hide them to stop everyone from eating them all at once. You. Just. Can’t. Stop. 🙂

7. Holiday Banana Loaf

Need a teacher or neighbor gift? Make 2 loaves at a time of this Holiday Banana Loaf, one for the freezer to pull out if you have guests drop by, and one to give away. This is a pretty loaf with cherries and coconut and just makes it feel like a little special treat to have over the Holidays. This is really yummy with a nice cup of coffee or tea.

8. Homemade Irish Cream

It just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without my Homemade Irish Cream. Give this as a gift to someone…and they will give you the jar/bottle back…so they can get it again next year. 😉 This literally takes 5 minutes to put together and makes such a nice treat for this time of year. I like to sip on a little while sitting by the tree, or put a little splash in my afternoon coffee….but it has some kick to it…so plan accordingly. It keeps for about 2 weeks in the fridge…but don’t worry… it won’t last that long. * I always use Jamesons Irish Whiskey when I make this.

9. M&M Cookies

My daughter and I just made a batch of these yesterday. M&M cookies are great for any holiday, because they always come up with holiday M&M’s! At Christmas it’s the traditional red and green, but at Easter they have springtime colors as well. I like this recipe because it makes a big batch and kids/teenagers love them! They also make a great choice for a cookie exchange. They freeze great and also look nice on a dessert plate.

10. Christmas Punch

This recipe for Christmas Punch is always on my “must-make” list for any holiday party!  Takes basically 3 ingredients, plus some chopped fresh or frozen fruit  to look nice, and you have a great non-alcoholic punch to serve at any gatherings. My kids love this punch…it’s fizzy…and looks pretty…what’s not to love?

That’s a round-up of the Top 10 Go-To holiday recipes I always make this time of year. I have a few more, but this is definitely the list I go to year after year. A lot of these recipes I only make at holidays, which makes it feel special and something everyone looks forward to. So much of the Holidays are wrapped up in our food memories. I hope I am making our own families memories with some of these favorite recipes.

Now tell me, what is on your “must-make” list of holiday recipes?