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