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These scratch-made recipes are favorites on our family Christmas menu. These 30+ recipes are our go-to choices throughout the season, whether we are sharing at potlucks or serving Christmas dinner.
A Quick Look At These Recipes
- Courses: Breakfast, sourdough bread, sides, dinner, and dessert
- Crowd Size: These are Christmas recipes for a crowd All of the recipes are easy to scale for gatherings.
- Make-Ahead: Many of these recipes are make-ahead friendly.
- Why You’ll Love Them: These recipes are festive, delicious, and simple enough to enjoy throughout the season without spending all day in the kitchen.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS RECIPE ON
I love the holidays at home. The oven fills the house with the scent of aromatic foods and freshly baked treats, and we indulge in some of our favorite holiday recipes.
These recipes are simple and made with mostly pantry staples. And many of them can be made in advance. If you are looking for really easy Christmas recipes, check out my list of effortless Christmas recipes.
This curation of recipes includes more than 30 of our favorites. Of course, I don’t make all 30+ for our Christmas dinner menu.
Instead, I weave these recipes into my regular meal plans so we can enjoy festive food throughout the season. And there are a few special ones that I save for our Christmas Day dinner.
I’m so excited to share these holiday menu ideas with you! Happy, happy holidays!
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
Simple: These Christmas recipes are whole classics that use simple ingredients and pantry staples.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Many can be made in advance so you can work them into your meal prep or make them the day before the event.
Crowd-Pleasing: Not only will everyone love these recipes, but they can also be scaled for larger gatherings.
Versatile: This menu includes recipes for Christmastime weeknights, formal holiday dinners, sourdough bread, and quick desserts.
30+ Christmas Recipes
These are some of our favorite holiday recipes, with options for breakfast, breads, sides, dinner, and desserts so every course is covered.
Choose a few to enjoy throughout the season and use this list as a simple guide when planning Christmas dinner.
Christmas Breakfast Menu
1
Sourdough Discard Coffee Cake
Sourdough discard coffee cake is buttery and tender with a hint of tang. Sweet vanilla cake, a cozy cinnamon swirl, and a decadent crumb topping make it perfect for brunch, dessert, or holiday breakfasts.
SOURDOUGH DISCARD COFFEE CAKE
2
Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls with Vanilla-Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
Hands down, this is THE BEST recipe for sourdough cinnamon rolls. These scratch-made cinnamon rolls are made with active sourdough starter discard. Then, they are baked to golden and gooey perfection and topped with a lightly whipped homemade vanilla-maple cream cheese icing.
SOURDOUGH CINNAMON ROLLS
3
Sourdough Donuts with Vanilla and Chocolate Glaze
Learn how to make fluffy homemade sourdough donuts. A simple roux added to the dough creates a soft and pillowy texture. Then, they are fried to golden brown perfection and dipped in vanilla or chocolate glaze.
SOURDOUGH DONUTS RECIPE
4
Brown Sugar and Pepper Bacon Cure Recipe
This brown sugar and pepper bacon recipe is simple and delicious. Making your own bacon is easier than it sounds and way cheaper than storebought. Once you treat yourself to home-cured bacon, you'll never return to the packaged stuff.
HOME-CURED BACON RECIPE
5
Vanilla and Brown Sugar Coffee Creamer
Homemade vanilla and brown sugar coffee creamer is rich, cozy, and the easiest way to elevate your morning cuppa. Made with simple ingredients, it comes together in just 5 minutes or less. You'll never sit in the coffee shop drive-thru line again!
BROWN SUGAR COFFEE CREAMER
6
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
These pumpkin spice pancakes are light, fluffy, and filled with cozy fall flavors. They're easy to make and sure to become a family favorite all season long.
PUMPKIN PIE SPICE PANCAKES
7
Sourdough Crepes
This is THE BEST sourdough crepes recipe. These delicate, french-style pancakes are light and fluffy with crispy edges. Made with sourdough discard, they have a subtle tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet or savory fillings.
SOURDOUGH DISCARD CREPES
8
Sourdough Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls
Sourdough pumpkin cinnamon rolls are warm, gooey, and everything you need for a cozy fall treat. Pumpkin dough is slathered in a buttery brown sugar, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon filling. Then, the rolls are baked to golden perfection and smothered in a maple vanilla cream cheese frosting.
SOURDOUGH PUMPKIN SPICE PANCAKES
Christmas Breads and Rolls
9
No-Knead Sourdough Bread
A no-knead sourdough bread for beginners and advanced bakers alike! This crusty artisan sourdough is prepped one day and baked the next, which gives is a deep and delicious sourdough taste.
BEGINNERS’ NO-KNEAD SOURDOUGH BREAD
10
Fresh-Milled Dinner Rolls
These fresh-milled dinner rolls are soft, fluffy, and 100% whole grain. Made with active dry yeast, hard white wheat, and kamut, they have a mild flavor that the whole family will love.
FRESH-MILLED FLOUR DINNER ROLLS
11
Sourdough Brioche Rolls
These sourdough brioche rolls are buttery, lightly tangy, and irresistibly soft. With their tender pull-apart texture, they'll quickly become your go-to for family dinners and holiday gatherings.
SOURDOUGH BRIOCHE ROLLS
12
Fresh-Milled Pumpkin Bread
This fresh-milled pumpkin bread is buttery soft and perfectly spiced-and it's made with 100% whole grain flour. It's an easy fall treat with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that no one will believe is made with whole wheat.
FRESH-MILLED FLOUR PUMPKIN BREAD
13
Sourdough Cranberry Walnut Bread
Classic no-knead sourdough is filled with juicy cranberries and toasted walnuts. The outside is golden and crusty, while the inside is chewy and light with little bites of sweet berries and crunchy walnuts. This will be your go-to bread for the holiday season!
SOURDOUGH CRANBERRY WALNUT BREAD
14
Half Fresh-Milled Sourdough Bread
Half fresh-milled sourdough bread strikes the perfect balance between a classic boule's crusty, chewy texture and a mild, earthy flavor of fresh-milled sourdough. It's a great option for graining milling beginners, picky eaters, or anyone who wants the best of both worlds.
HALF FRESH-MILLED FLOUR SOURDOUGH BREAD
Christmas Appetizers and Starters
15
Cranberry Salsa
This cranberry salsa is a bright, festive, and easy holiday appetizer. It's a sweet-and-spicy combo that is perfect for casual weeknights and holiday gatherings.
CRANBERRY SALSA RECIPE
16
Herb Butter Recipe for Bread (5 Variations)
This herb butter recipe for bread is easy, versatile, and delicious. I'm sharing 5 simple recipes that are perfect for slathering on bread and preserving your homegrown herbs.
HERB BUTTER FOR BREAD
17
Einkorn Cheddar Drop Biscuits
Einkorn cheddar drop biscuits are easy and nutritious. The added Greek yogurt and cheddar cheese create rustic biscuits that are soft, tender, and delicious. Plus, they are on the table in under 30 minutes!
EINKORN DROP BISCUIT RECIPE
18
3-Ingredient Creamed Spinach
This 3-ingredient creamed spinach recipe isn't just easy–it's DELICIOUS, too. It's perfect as a dip with crackers or crusty sourdough. Or you can serve it as a decadent side dish. Made with basic ingredients, this is an easy recipe to customize or adapt for any palate or meal.
3-INGREDIENT CREAMED SPINACH
Christmas Dinner Menu
19
Easy Roast Chicken
This easy roast chicken recipe is a budget-friendly way to get a wholesome meal on the table with minimal effort. It's a simple dinner your whole family will love-and one you'll find yourself making again and again.
CHRISTMAS CHICKEN ROAST RECIPE
20
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe
This homemade cranberry sauce is a holiday classic with a fresh, scratch-made twist. With just a few pantry staples and fresh cranberries, it's the perfect festive side dish that'll quickly become a new favorite. And the best part? It only takes 15 minutes on the stove!
CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH ORANGE JUICE
21
Sourdough Stuffing
Learn how to make simple sourdough stuffing from scratch. Homemade sourdough bread is toasted in butter and combined with sautéd veggies, fresh herbs, and chicken broth. It's perfect for holiday meals and cozy comfort food.
SOURDOUGH STUFFING RECIPE
22
Caramelized Onion Green Bean Casserole
This caramelized onion green bean casserole is perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. It uses fresh green beans and can be made ahead of time, making it a simple and delicious comfort food recipe.
CARAMELIZED ONION GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
23
Sourdough Mac and Cheese
Sourdough mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. Tender noodles are tossed in a decadent sourdough cheese sauce and topped with toasted sourdough breadcrumbs. This is the ultimate comfort food!
SOURDOUGH MAC AND CHEESE
24
Fresh-Milled Cornbread Recipe
This fresh-milled cornbread recipe is made with freshly milled corn and soft wheat berries. It's buttery, sweet, and perfectly crumbly without being too dry. It's so delicious that you'd never guess it's made with 100% whole grains-or that it's so easy to make!
FRESH-MILLED CORNBREAD RECIPE
Christmas Desserts
25
Sourdough Peanut Butter Blossoms
These sourdough peanut butter blossoms are melt-in-your-mouth delicious with a subtle sourdough twist. Perfect for enjoying with a warm drink, sharing on the holiday dessert table, or gifting on cookie trays.
SOURDOUGH DISCARD PEANUT BUTTER BLOSSOMS
26
Chewy Sourdough Ginger Molasses Cookies
These chewy sourdough ginger molasses cookies are soft, warmly spiced, and have a hint of tangy sourdough. They're perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or gifting on festive cookie trays.
SOURDOUGH MOLASSES CHRISTMAS COOKIES
27
Sourdough Eggnog Bread Pudding
This recipe takes a classic bread pudding and gives it a festive twist with tangy sourdough, creamy eggnog, and cozy spices. Top it off with toasted walnuts and a boozy butter rum topping, and you've got the perfect treat for holiday breakfasts, desserts, or any time you need a little seasonal magic.
SOURDOUGH EGG NOG BREAD PUDDING
28
Sourdough Lavender London Fog Cookies
These Sourdough Lavender London Fog Cookies combine the delicate flavors of Earl Grey tea and lavender flowers with a tangy sourdough twist. These buttery-soft cookies are lovely for gifting, spring gatherings, or any time you want an elevated and fancy (but also simple-to-make) treat.
SOURDOUGH DISCARD LONDON FOG COOKIES
29
Sourdough Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie
This sourdough chocolate chip skillet cookie is a dream come true. Baked in cast iron, it's soft and gooey in the center, crispy around the edges, and loaded with chocolate chips. It's easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
SOURDOUGH CHOCOLATE CHIP SKILLET COOKIE
30
Sourdough Pumpkin Cobbler
This sourdough pumpkin cobbler will satisfy all of your fall-flavor cravings. Spiced pumpkin pie filling is topped with an easy crumble topping for a delicious, cozy fall treat.
SOURDOUGH DISCARD PUMPKIN COBBLER
31
Sourdough Pie Crust
This sourdough pie crust is tender, buttery, and perfectly flaky. Made with sourdough discard and a few simple pantry staples, it comes together quickly and works beautifully for sweet and savory pies.
SOURDOUGH DISCARD PIE CRUST
32
Whipped Cream Recipe with Vanilla
This whipped cream recipe with vanilla uses just 3 ingredients and takes less than 5 minutes to make! It's light, fluffy, and the perfect topping for pies, cakes, fruit, pancakes, and more.
WHIPPED CREAM RECIPE WITH VANILLA
33
Peppermint Stick Ice Cream
Start a new holiday tradition with this easy peppermint stick ice cream recipe. The creamy mixture and crushed candy canes blend into a wintry treat that the whole family will love.
PEPPERMINT STICK ICE CREAM RECIPE
34
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (No Egg)
With just four ingredients and three simple steps, this homemade vanilla ice cream without eggs recipe is beyond easy to make. It's creamy, smooth, and delicious on its own or scooped on top of your favorite desserts.
NO-EGG VANILLA ICE CREAM
35
Homemade Marshmallows (Without Corn Syrup)
These homemade marshmallows without corn syrup are soft, fluffy, and so much better than store-bought. Lightly sweet with a touch of cozy vanilla, they're perfect for hot cocoa, s'mores, or enjoying on their own. You'll never go back to bagged marshmallows after having these!
HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS WITHOUT CORN SYRUP
36
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
Rich, creamy, and studded with chocolate and chopped nuts, this chocolate chip cheese ball recipe strikes the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Ideal for holiday parties and gifting, and stealing the show on appetizer trays.
CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE BALL
Tips for Success
- As you plan your holiday recipes, determine which ones can be prepared in advance. That way, you can get them off your plate.
- Be sure to check the storage and reheating tips for anything you make in advance.
- Stick to the classics and recipes you are familiar with, then add in a few new ones each year. You don’t have to reinvent the holidays each year.
- Make your sourdough bread and freeze it for easy prep. You can learn how to do this in my Batch Baking Sourdough eBook.
- Keep the menu flexible and adjust portions based on your guest count.
Video – Holiday Kitchen Prep
Check out how I am prepping my kitchen for the holidays in the YouTube video below!
And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. New videos come out weekly!
FAQs
How can I prep for a small gathering?
For a smaller gathering, choose fewer sides, scale recipes in half, or replace a large main dish with a simpler option that requires less prep. I like to make a slow cooker lasagna and a salad for small gatherings.
How to simplify the menu without losing the holiday feel?
Focus on a few meaningful favorites, add one special dish, and rely on make-ahead recipes to keep the meal festive without feeling overwhelming.
What can I prep the day before Christmas?
The day before Christmas is great for chopping vegetables, making casseroles, baking breads, and preparing desserts.
How can I weave these recipes into my day-to-day?
You can weave these recipes into your day-to-day by making them gradually throughout the season, serving them for regular family meals, potlucks, and casual gatherings, rather than saving everything for Christmas Day.
