Mexican Wedding Cookies

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be there.”

This is truly my favorite time of year. I love the warmth of this season–which may sound strange given the outside temperature here on the Gulf Coast–but it’s a warmth of giving, of goodness, and light, that ignites in me as soon as we pack up the Thanksgiving leftovers (who am I kidding? I start getting giddy after Halloween). As I looked back at #12DaysofChristmas, I noticed I didn’t have a Christmas recipe roundup of all of the last year’s recipes in one spot. Here they are below for your gifting/eating/drinking pleasure. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for 2018’s 12 Days of Christmas Recipes (culminating in another awesome giveaway), but in the meantime, enjoy these 11 fantastic holiday recipes!

Hot Buttered Rum Mix

It’s sweet, slightly spicy (thanks to nutmeg and allspice) and delightfully boozy. Mix two tablespoons of this mix with a shot of rum and top with hot water. You’re welcome.

Hot Buttered Rum

DIY BBQ Rub

This rub would make a perfect gift for the BBQ-obsessed on your list. Pulled pork in the South is more than a picnic staple; it is an institution. Southerners guard their barbeque recipes so close, you’d think they were printed on hundred dollar bills. Not me; here ya go!

BBQ Rub

Homemade Coffee Liqueur

Give the gift of booze this holiday season, and whip up a batch of this easy homemade coffee liqueur. It makes a killer White Russian, and it’s dynamite poured over vanilla bean ice cream.

Homemade Kahlua

Flourless (and Gluten-Free) Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

Even if you don’t avoid wheat, this Yule Log (a branch of flourless chocolate cake frosted with ganache and decorated with meringue mushrooms) will be a showstopper for your holiday table.

Gluten Free Buche de Noel

Stollen

Although it takes some time, this dense yeasted cake is worth every minute–redolent with rum-soaked fruit and a hint of lemon zest, it’s the best accompaniment for coffee on Christmas morning.

Stollen: German Christmas Bread

Sparkling Sugared Cranberries

These cranberries look like they’ve just been covered with frost and burst with a delightful sweet-tart pop.

Brie en Croute (Baked Brie) with Pepper Jelly

Is there anything more indulgent than a baked brie? Puffy, crispy layers of puff pastry encasing warm, gooey triple-cream cheese is #holidayappetizergoals.

Brie En Croute

Christmas Pavlova

A show-stopping Christmas dessert, this pavlova has it all: tart fruit, clouds of whipped cream, and airy meringue.

Christmas Meringue

ChristmasThyme Cocktail

A tart and earthy cocktail, prepped in a clear ornament to wow all your guests. To serve, just shake with ice and pour.

Thyme Cranberry Cocktail

Deep Dark Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

On the second day of Christmas, there was an unbelievably fudgy, deep-dark chocolatey, ooey-gooey cookie.

Pecan Snowballs

Pecan Snowball Cookies with Pecans are melt-in-your-mouth, crumbly shortbread, studded with pecans and dusted with powdered sugar.

Mexican Wedding Cookies