Tag: #Holiday

Posted in #Recipes

60 Best Valentine’s Day Desserts

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I can’t help it: I love Valentine’s Day. (No, not because my name is in the holiday!) It’s the perfect time to tell someone—platonically or romantically—how much they mean to you. Showing love looks a little different to everyone, but for me, it means baking Valentine’s Day desserts. The fastest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, right? That’s what all those Marry Me recipes are for!

If you’re also the “cooking is my love language” type, here are the perfect Valentine’s Day desserts for the holiday. Of course, there’s no shortage of chocolate desserts, like truffles and confections, mousses, cookies and chocolate lava cake. But there are also other romantic desserts, such as white chocolate raspberry cake, red velvet cookies, cheesecake-stuffed strawberries, decadently layered trifles and heart-shaped desserts galore. Many of these can feed a crowd (perfect for a Galentine’s Day party!), but more are desserts for two.

Whether you’ve booked a table or you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day at home, end your romantic dinner with one of these sweet desserts. (By the way, anyone manifesting for something special to happen should try Ina Garten’s engagement chicken—it worked for Meghan Markle and Emily Blunt!)

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

30 Valentine’s Day Snacks to Share the Love

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

While I love making a special meal on Valentine’s Day, my real food love language is snacks. But I don’t mean a handful of baby carrots or a half-stale granola bar. Whether sweet or savory, the little nibbles that carry us through the day until that romantic date-night dinner can be just as thoughtful as the main course. That’s what this collection of Valentine’s Day snacks celebrates.

Here, you will find a mix of sweet and savory festive treats, so you can still enjoy a pink cupcake, a few chocolate-covered tuxedo strawberries or a slice of decadent chocolate cake for Valentine’s Day dessert without feeling as if you’ve gone overboard on sugar all day. For something that you can graze on all afternoon, try a snack board loaded with a combination of cheese, crackers and cured meats.

You can even turn these snacks into a meal by making a variety of dishes. Pair shrimp skewers or crab-stuffed mushrooms with steak bites for surf-and-turf vibes, along with a few different types of bruschetta for color and texture. The best part about these Valentine’s Day snacks is that they’re elegant and delicious yet easy enough to prepare so you still have time to spend with your Valentine.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

52 New Year’s Brunch Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Cheers to fresh starts and second helpings! Whether you’re rolling out of bed or rolling out the welcome mat for guests, these easy New Year’s brunch ideas bring the fun without the fuss.

This may be a surprising opinion, but I think New Year’s Day brunch almost always outshines New Year’s Eve. Between loading up on the best cheap champagne and curating a list of quick New Year’s Eve food ideas, there’s too much going on for anyone to properly focus on eating. New Year’s Day morning is a different, calmer story. These New Year’s Day recipes are the perfect way to start the year. Plus, they’re easy enough to make even if you’re a little (or a lot) hungover.

This collection is packed with sweet and savory brunch dishes, from fluffy waffle ideas and breakfast tacos to French toast recipes. We’ve also included plenty of make-ahead winners, like casseroles and quiche, so you can spend less time cooking and more time making memories. And don’t forget to include a few traditional New Year’s Day good-luck foods in your spread. Break out the extra champagne for mimosas and bellinis and dig in. Happy New Year!

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

42 Recipes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition, means lots and lots of seafood dishes. Celebrate with friends and family with these all-seafood apps and mains. And don’t forget the wine. Salute!

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

37 No-Bake Christmas Cookies and Treats

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Baking isn’t everyone’s forte—we get it! But just because you’re oven-averse doesn’t mean you can’t make great desserts at home, especially during the holiday season when every hour is sweets-o’clock. Here’s proof: This list has our best no-bake Christmas cookies and treats that are still indulgent and super festive.

There’s a range of Christmas desserts in this list, so there’s a little something for everyone. Of course, Christmas no-bake cookie recipes dominate the list, with cute reindeer, thumbprints, Christmas wreath cookies and even a no-bake version of the iconic peanut butter blossoms. But there are lots of other treats in store, too, like peppermint pies, fudge and frozen desserts, all sorts of chocolate-covered bites and balls, no-bake bars and even a glorious Christmas trifle that feeds a crowd.

While these are easy no-bake holiday cookies, some require a stovetop or microwave and a few require baking tools like a food processor or mixer. Others are truly no-heat with zero baking tools involved, so read through the recipes that catch your eye before claiming them for Christmas dinner.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

30 Best Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

One of the best parts of Christmas is the food: decadent Christmas mains and sides, festive appetizers and cocktails, and, of course, Christmas cookies. But if you have a gluten allergy, at times it can feel as if your options are limited or nonexistent.

Our gluten-free Christmas cookies are here to save the day because no one should miss out on the fun of making and decorating cookies because of an allergy! In this collection, you’ll find gluten-free holiday cookies like snowballs, pumpkin cookies and crinkle cookies to bake and enjoy worry-free. You’ll even find allergy-friendly recipes for classic Christmas cookies, including gingerbread men, spritz and shortbread.

These gluten-free festive cookies will be welcome additions to your gluten-free dessert spread and will have even your non-allergic family members coming back for more.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

45 Christmas Lunch Ideas to Keep Things Merry and Bright

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Christmas is a time of wonder and whimsy, from trees laden with ornaments to lovingly made cookies and intricate gingerbread houses. And while you may already be planning overnight holiday breakfast recipes and Christmas dinner ideas, we wouldn’t blame you if lunch is the last thing on your mind between opening gifts and getting ready for supper. But that doesn’t have to be the case! These Christmas lunch ideas prove that even quick and easy recipes can be tasty (and pretty!) enough for this special day.

Each of these easy Christmas lunch ideas is family-friendly and features seasonal produce, including pomegranate seeds, juicy blood oranges, pears and cranberries. There is a range of options from crisp salads and veggie sides to warming winter soups and sandwiches, so you’re sure to find something that fits your family’s tastes and appetites. Plus, these holiday lunch dishes come together quickly or can be made ahead of time, so mealtime is as easy as reheating.

Whichever recipe you go with, serve lunch with a holiday-ready blood orange punch or cranberry mimosa for the adults, and sparkling cider for the kids. Sneak a Christmas cookie, too, we won’t tell!

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Our 100 All-Time-Best Christmas Cookie Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Bake the Best Holiday Cookies

Whether you’re still learning the basics of cookie making or are all about using those pro baking tips you’ve mastered over the years, there’s no better time to bake from scratch than during the holidays. Whether you whip up an assortment of holiday bars and barks to pack and ship to someone special or are baking a batch of easy-to-make cookies to serve alongside homemade hot chocolate on movie night, you’ll find that cookies always spread cheer. Nut and spice cookies, fruity cookies, sugar cookies and more: we always have a hard time narrowing down our favorites (which is why this collection has 100 recipes!).

But, we have to admit that the imperfection of these festive smashed cookies places them at the top of our list. The addition of two eggs gives the centers a tender and soft texture, while the crinkled edges get ever so slightly golden and crisp. Top with a simple confectioners’ sugar glaze for a holiday treat perfect for a cookie tin — and that’s oh-so-fun to make!

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

27 Traditional Holiday Cookies You’ll Want To Bake Every Year

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Traditional Christmas and Holiday Cookie Recipes

If you ask us, holiday baking season is the most wonderful time of the year. That’s when we get to break out the royal icing, sprinkles and colorful candy pieces—and give all our favorite holiday cookies an extra special touch. And, while we always make sure to include something new in our roundup, there’s nothing better than a freshly baked batch of the classics.

If you ask us, holiday baking season is the most wonderful time of the year. That’s when we get to break out the royal icing, sprinkles and colorful candy pieces—and give all our favorite holiday cookies an extra special touch. And, while we always make sure to include something new in our roundup, there’s nothing better than a freshly baked batch of the classics. We’re talking buttery shortbreads, all different types of sugar cookies and, of course, plenty of gingerbread. If looking for a handful of recipes that rely on classic flavors and tried-and-true techniques, these are the ones to add to your repertoire. You’ll find snowballs, thumbprints, biscotti and more. No matter which cookies you decide to bake, spritz are a holiday must. The green and white tie-dye effect gives these classic cookies a modern-retro look, and the red sprinkles add a bit more holiday cheer.

Food Network

Posted in #Recipes

The 23 Best 5-Ingredient Holiday Treats (That Anyone Can Make!)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Festive Treats With 5 Ingredients or Less

With ambitious holiday party planning comes the potential to spend the entire time cooking in the kitchen—while your guests wonder where you are. Let’s skip all that. Instead, take the quick-and-easy route: put together something festive and enjoy your limited time together, with treats that only require a handful of ingredients. Each clocks in at just five or fewer—and will fill everyone you love, including you, with holiday cheer. One of our favorites? This reimagined take on the Yule log. Using store-bought Swiss roll cakes ensures this version is a breeze—but still impressive enough to dazzle your family and friends.

Food Network