Recipes
By Samira @ Alphafoodie
updated January 17, 2024
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55+ Christmas eve and Christmas dinner ideas to pull together a delicious and crowd-pleasing holiday menu. Including traditional and non-traditional (plus regular, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan) nibbles, appetizers, mains, sides, desserts, and even drinks to wow your guests!
No matter your intentions, planning the perfect Christmas dinner menu can easily become a month + long affair when juggling between that, finding/making Christmas gifts, preparing your annual gingerbread house, decorating, and reveling in all the holiday spirit! Luckily, I’ve compiled this list of the best Christmas dinner recipes (and previously, one for Christmas breakfast/brunch) to give you a head start!
Whether you want to put together a traditional Christmas dinner, vegan or vegetarian Christmas dinner, looking for unique Christmas dinner ideas, or even Christmas buffet ideas, this list of Christmas dishes ideas has plenty to choose from, including all my favorite traditional and non-traditional holiday crowd-pleasers!
With a list of holiday menu ideas to fit every course (desserts and drinks included) and multiple dietary requirements, keep reading to pull together a delicious Christmas menu. Not only are most of the below recipes easy to prepare, but many of them can, partially or in full, be made ahead of time and reheated on the day to minimize the holiday stress!
Plus, if you’re looking for meal top tips on how to host a stress-free holiday, check out my post on Thanksgiving dinner ideas!
What To Serve For Christmas Dinner?
- Appetizers
- Starters
- Mains
- Christmas Side Dishes
- Drinks
- Desserts
Appetizers
Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party food buffet or just need nibbles to keep tummies happy while waiting for Christmas dinner, here are some simple and crowd-pleasing sweet and savory snacks and Christmas party food ideas.
Puff Pastry Christmas Appetizer
Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer (Multiple Filling Options)
This puff pastry Christmas tree appetizer is simple to make with just a handful of ingredients, multiple sweet and savory filling options, 10 minutes of prep time, and everyone will want the recipe! Perfect as a Christmas appetizer and Christmas/New Year’s Eve parties!
Get the recipe!
Ricotta and Spinach Puff Pastry Snowflake
Ricotta and Spinach Puff Pastry (Holiday Appetizer)
This ricotta and spinach puff pastry combines just a handful of ingredients, simple prep, a flexible cheese and spinach filling, and is perfect for serving as a holiday appetizer for Christmas or New Year's Eve. (Gluten-free and vegan options included!)
Transform it from the shape of the sun to a snowflake easily. Instead of twisting all the sun's "rays" in one direction, have them twisting left then right (pinching together the tops) to create a snowflake!
Get the recipe!
Christmas Pull-Apart Bread
Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread (Cheese Buns)
Flavorful cheese buns stuffed with ooey-gooey melting cheese make up this festive Christmas tree pull-apart bread dish (or another shape of your choice). A beautiful and delicious centerpiece to be served as a Christmas dinner appetizer, party food, or alongside your festive cheeseboard!
Get the recipe!
Roasted Chestnuts
How to Roast Chestnuts in the Oven & Easy Peel Method
Bring the flavor of a Christmas market home with this method for oven roasted chestnuts. They're tender, nutty, toasty, and perfect for nibbling on Christmas Day and at any Christmas potluck!
Get the recipe!
Easy Candied Pecans
Easy 5 Minute Candied Pecans
Easy candied pecans are a delicious sweet and savory Christmas snack, salad topper, addition to a cheeseboard, or holiday gift! Plus, all you need is 6 ingredients (with several easy swaps and add-ins!) and a stovetop or baked method for perfect caramelized pecans every time!
Get the recipe!
You might also enjoy these candied walnuts.
Quick Cheesy Garlic Bread
Quick Cheesy Garlic Bread Recipe (Vegan Garlic Bread Optional)
Whether serving it alone, with dips, or alongside soup, this quick ciabatta garlic bread relies on just 7 ingredients and under 30 minutes (even less in an air fryer) for a crowd-pleasing addition to your easy Christmas dinner menu ideas.
Get the recipe!
Prefer your garlic bread minus the cheese? Check out this recipe for roasted garlic bread instead!
Cheddar Cornbread
Easy Jalapeño Cornbread
This easy jalapeño cheddar cornbread is wonderfully light, moist, and flavorful with a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy flavor – perfect for enjoying with or without the jalapeños as part of your fancy feast.
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Dinner Roll Baked Camembert Wreath
Dinner Roll + Baked Camembert Wreath (Pull-apart dough balls)
This Christmas appetizer combines fluffy tear-and-share bread rolls with baked camembert and shaped into a festive edible wreath! It's a great WOW Christmas appetizer people will remember!
Get the recipe!
Guide to Making the BEST Cheese Platter
How To Make a Cheese Board – Standard Cheese Platter
No list of Christmas dinner ideas for a crowd would be complete without a homemade cheese board/platter. Combine your favorite cheese (regular or dairy-free) with fruit, nuts, jams, and preserves for an appetizer, dessert, or party food option you'll love!
Get the recipe!
Crostini (With Tips + Toppings)
How To Make Crostini
Homemade crostini is ready in under 20 minutes and can be made with a whole selection of toppings, perfect for catering to different flavors and dietary needs as a crowd-pleasing Christmas finger food option!
Get the recipe!
Starters
While some people love to jump right to the main event, you may prefer setting out several courses over the day. First up, the perfect easy Christmas appetizers, like soups and salads, that will impress your guests without weighing them down.
If you plan to make a soup starter, note that most soups will taste even better on day two, so it’s a wonderful dish to prep in advance and reheat for your Christmas dinner and Christmas eve dinner.
Arugula Pomegranate Salad (Vegan Optional)
Simple Arugula Salad
This simple, vibrant, peppery arugula pomegranate salad with parmesan (rocca salad) requires just 6 base ingredients tossed in a balsamic glaze, for a simple, nutritious, easy Christmas appetizer.
Get the recipe!
Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad (Vegan Optional)
Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese
This beetroot salad combines peppery arugula with earthy sweet beetroot, creamy goat cheese (or a vegan alternative), and crunchy walnuts with a tangy homemade honey mustard dressing! It’s naturally gluten-free and is a simple and flavorful Christmas appetizer!
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Red Cabbage Salad
Healthy Rainbow Chopped Veggie Salad (Red Cabbage Salad)
With a day of plenty of eating (and fairly rich things, too) ahead, why not start your simple Christmas dinner with this immune-boosting, detoxing, nutrient-dense rainbow chopped veggie salad (red cabbage salad)?!
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Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Vegetarian Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Stove, Instant Pot, and Crock Pot|)
This vegetarian broccoli cheddar soup is wonderfully creamy and cheesy without being too heavy or rich. Even better, it is a budget-friendly, vegan, naturally gluten-free option perfect for adding to Christmas dinners/Christmas lunch ideas.
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Carrot Ginger Soup
Easy Carrot Soup
This carrot ginger soup is creamy, comforting, delicately spiced, and ready in 30 minutes (more/less for Instant Pot and Slow Cooker versions)! Even better, it’s gluten-free, budget-friendly, and can be made with or without dairy for an easy Christmas dinner appetizer.
Get the recipe!
Cream Of Mushroom Soup
Easy Mushroom Soup
A super creamy, rich, and delicious cream of mushroom soup perfect for serving a crowd on your Christmas menus. It'sgluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free,and optionallydairy-free & vegan!
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Ginger Butternut Squash Soup
Best Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Creamy, cozy, warming ginger butternut squash soup combines lightly caramelized roasted butternut squash soup with coconut milk, ginger, and turmeric—for a nourishing and flavorful, sweet and savory, immune-boosting soup to serve with holiday foods!
Plus, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, Whole30, and paleo!
Get the recipe!
Vegetarian French Onion Soup
The Best French Onion Soup
Combining slowly caramelized onions, a splash of white wine, and a meltedcheesy garlic breadtopping, this easy (stove or crockpot) French onion soup is rich, decadent, and perfect for impressing as part of your Christmas food menu.
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Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
This healthy roasted cauliflower soup is creamy, comforting, and impressively flavor-packed with just 8 ingredients and no cream! meaning it's perfect for impressing at a regular or vegetarian Christmas dinner, without weighing down tummies too much before the main course.
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Looking for more soupy Christmas food ideas? Check out these recipes for cream of asparagus soup, pumpkin soup, or mushroom, garlic, potato soup.
Mains
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for non-traditional Christmas dinner recipes (aka ideas for Christmas dinner other than turkey), so while my list of Christmas food recipes may not contain turkey, beef, or pork, and it’s not a Christmas ham dinner menu, you might enjoy chicken, salmon, or even a vegan/vegetarians Christmas dinner main or Christmas Eve dinner ideas.
Whole Roasted Chicken
Easy Roast Chicken
This whole roasted chicken with vegetables is simple to prepare, and wonderfully tender and juicy in the middle with a well-seasoned, lightly crispy skin! It;s perfect for serving at a smaller gathering or as part of a selection of "main" Christmas dishes.
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Mushroom Wellington
Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington
When it comes to show-stopping Christmas main meals that are ALSO vegan and vegetarian friendly, there's no better recipe than my juicy and comforting vegetarian mushroom Wellington.
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Stuffed Butternut Squash
Christmas Stuffed Butternut Squash
This delicious stuffed butternut squash dish with rice, mushroom, and cranberry stuffing works perfectly as a vegan/vegetarian Christmas dinner main dish! It's colorful, packed with flavor, and looks pretty impressive on your as a whole foods Christmas dinner.
Get the recipe!
Oven-Baked Salmon
How to Cook Salmon in the Oven Perfectly
Whether you're planning on ditching the poultry this year or have a pescatarian to cater for, learn how to make perfect oven-baked salmon in under 25 minutes! It's tender, moist, flaky, and flavorful – great for non-traditional Christmas meals.
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Chicken Brine Recipe
Chicken Brine Recipe (For Perfectly Juicy Chicken)
How to brine chicken for the most perfectly succulent and juicy roast chicken you've ever had! This chicken brine recipe is simple to follow, requires minimal effort, and simultaneously draws out the flavor in the meat while locking in the moisture for roasting, grilling, smoking, frying, etc. Perfect for an easy chicken holiday menu!
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Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Whole Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower
This turmeric-roasted cauliflower makes for a delicious and nutritious vegan side or main on Christmas day. It can be prepared as a whole roasted cauliflower, cauliflower steaks, or florets. Plus, this recipe isgluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, andlow-carb!
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For your plant-based guests, they may also enjoy these roasted cabbage steaks.
Meatloaf with the Best Sticky Glaze
Meatloaf with the Best Sticky Glaze
How to make the best, easiest, classic meatloaf recipe with all the top tips and secrets. It's tender and juicy in the middle and smothered with a tangy tomato sauce – perfect for roast dinners and special occasions!
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Christmas Side Dishes
This list simply wouldn’t be complete without plenty of delicious Christmas dinner sides. From homemade gravy (with or without drippings) to mashed potato, and other favorite holiday vegetable dishes, the only struggle will be trying not to choose too many of these top sides for Christmas dinner to prepare!
Honey Roasted Carrots
Easy Honey Roasted Carrots (Glazed Carrots | Vegan Optional)
Honey-roasted carrots only require a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, tossing the veg with honey, oil, and optional herbs, then roasting or air frying them until tender and lightly caramelized. Even the kids will love Christmas vegetable dishes like this!
Add even more flavor, too, with the addition of parsnips.
Get the recipe!
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Super creamy mashed potatoes are an absolute must-have on my list of Christmas dinner sides. They are simple to prepare, and can even be made in advance for one less job to do on the day!
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Want to try a more non-traditional Christmas dinner offering? Give this mashed sweet potato a try or even mashed purple potatoes. They’re usually fairly healthy, paleo, easy to turn vegan, ready in under 30 minutes, etc. And they are also great Christmas ham dinner sides.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Got a table full of proclaimed sprout haters? Ditch the boiled sprouts and start changing minds with these oven-roasted and smashed Brussels sprouts with a lemony garlic dressing. They're packed with flavor, are slightly crisp, keto, vegan, and definitely earn their spot on this list of Christmas side dishes.
Get the recipe!
Brown Gravy Recipe
Easy Brown Gravy (With or Without Drippings)
Rich and flavorful, easy brown gravy made with beef or chicken stock (with or without drippings) and thickened with a flour roux – ready to enjoy in about 10 minutes and perfect for enjoying with all your favorite Christmas dishes.
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If you’re looking for a meat-free version, check out this recipe for vegan gravy recipeinstead!
White Gravy
Homemade White Gravy
While it may not be a classic Christmas option, why not try a creamy white gravy at your Christmas dinner table?! It's quick, simple, and packed with flavor.
Get the recipe!
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
Crispy Roasted Potatoes
These rosemary garliccrispy roasted potatoes are the perfect addition to your Christmas dinner. They're perfectly crispy, rely on just 5 ingredients, and pair wonderfully with all your favorite Christmas dinner sides and mains!
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Roasted Mini Red Potatoes
Best Oven-Roasted New Red Potatoes
These oven-roasted red potatoes are packed full of delicious garlic flavor and SUPER simple to prepare, perfect for taking into consideration as part of your Christmas day or Christmas Eve menu ideas for buffet.
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Want your spuds to be as crispy as possible? Try this recipe for smashed potatoes, which are a great addition to a non-traditional Christmas dinner menu.
Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli
Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli (2 Methods + Flavor Variations)
Air-fried or oven-roasted Cauliflower & Broccoli with garlic and lemon are tender-crisp, lightly caramelized, and the perfect, nutritious, low carb, vegetable side dish for your Christmas dinner menu.
Get the recipe!
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
This homemade cranberry sauce requires just 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to prepare and tastes so much better than jarred versions. Plus, you can prepare it up to a week in advance, and I've even provided lots of ways to use any leftovers, just in case!
Get the recipe!
Au Gratin Potatoes
Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes (Simple & Easy)
Toss thinly sliced potatoes in a rich and decadent cheesy cream sauce, then bake them in the oven until tender in the middle and browned and crisp on top for incredibly easy yet impressive au gratin potatoes (potatoes dauphinoise). It's perfect for impressing on your Christmas dinner menu!
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If you’re looking for more of an “individual-serve” style potato side for a non-traditional Christmas dinner, you might enjoy these parmesan potato stacks (aka muffin tin potatoes). They’re super crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, with plenty of flavor variations.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Green Beans
Air Fryer green beans are crispy outside with a tender middle, are ready in 10 minutes (no blanching required!), and won't take up any precious space on your stovetop. Plus, they are wonderfully diet-friendly: low-carb, keto, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, whole30, and pair well with almost any big easy dinner, Christmas dishes included.
Get the recipe!
Easy Green Bean Casserole
Easy Green Bean Casserole
This French's Green Bean Casserole recipe is creamy, packed with delicious ingredients, can easily be made vegan and gluten-free, and is perfect for holiday entertaining as it's simple, inexpensive, and can even be made aheas!
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Speaking of crossover Thanksgiving dishes, you might also love these candied yams with sweet brown sugar and a wonderfully tender texture.
Drinks
When pulling together your list of easy Christmas dinner menu ideas, it’s easy to forget about the “other side” of the meal, aka the drinks! However, here are a few of my favorite options to keep adults and children happy, all non-alcoholic (though many contain optional alcoholic twists!).
Hot Chocolate
Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate
A mug of hot cocoa is the perfect winter treat to enjoy alongside or after your Christmas dinner. Here's how to make hot chocolate better than any jar or pot you can get at the grocery store – and for a fraction of the price.
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White Hot Chocolate
How to Make White Hot Chocolate (+ Flavors| Toppings| Crockpot Option)
Prefer white chocolate? Try this homemade white hot chocolate on the stove or in a crockpot with just 3 base ingredients (dairy-free/vegan optional) and tons of optional add-ins and toppings to enjoy at potlucks, parties, and as part of your Christmas menu.
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As delicious as hot cocoa is anyway, enhance them even more with super simple flavored syrups, like vanilla, coffee, and lavender syrup, or even a few drops of rose water for a “Turkish delight” flavor.
Homemade Chocolate Milk
Simple Homemade Chocolate Milk
Prefer your chocolate drink cold? Try this homemade chocolate milk recipe. It's under five minutes and there are tons of ways to customize it. A great addition to your Christmas menu.
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Mulled Apple Cider
Hot Mulled “Spiced” Apple Cider (Wassail)
Enjoy this warming spiced apple cider with a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger this Christmas! Plus, it's sugar free and can be enjoyed with or without alcohol.
Get the recipe!
Cranberry Juice
How to Make Cranberry Juice (Stovetop | Sugar Free Optional)
Make cranberry juice at home with just two ingredients (plus water), no juicer or blender, in under 30 minutes on the stovetop! This super refreshing, sweet and tart homemade juice is packed with flavor and nutrients, can be made with fresh or frozen cranberries, and is perfect for enjoying over the holiday period.
Get the recipe!
Pomegranate Juice
How to Deseed and Juice a Pomegranate
Make a festive pomegranate juice easily following these steps. Perfect alone or in co*cktails and mocktails.
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Make a quick pomegranate or cranberry co*cktail by combining the juice with white wine (or sparkling water for a mocktail version) and extra pomegranate seeds.
Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
How to Make Orange Juice
Combine freshly squeezed orange juice with prosecco or white wine for a simple aperitif (pre-meal treat) or champagne for a delicious mimosa on Christmas day. Serve it alone or with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic version.
Get the recipe!
Fruit Punch
Easy Fruit Punch (Endless Flavor Possibilities)
If you're catering to a large group of people, making a party punch is the perfect way to go. It's fruity, sweet, delicious, crowd-pleasing, and can be enjoyed with or without alcohol. , with practically endless flavor variations.
Get the recipe!
Desserts
I don’t know about you, but I’m never able to eat Christmas desserts directly after the main course. Give me just an hour, though, and I’m ready to dig into something sweet. Luckily, most of the below easy Christmas dessert and after-dinner snack ideas can be prepared in advance, too, for minimal fuss on the day.
Gingerbread Cookies
Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
My Christmas menu wouldn't be complete without nibbling on gingerbread biscuits while I enjoy a big mug of hot cocoa. In fact, within this recipe, I've even included the method for making a mini gingerbread house mug topper to wow your guests with!
Get the recipe!
Want to engage in a group activity, or just enjoy the spoils or your hard labor? Well, why not also check out my post on how to design, make, and build the best gingerbread house!
Christmas Sugar Cookies
Orange Christmas Sugar Cookies – Fawns and Snowflakes
If you aren't a fan of gingerbread, try these decorated Christmas orange sugar cookies instead. They're sweet, subtly citrus flavored, and perfect for enjoying during the holiday period and even gifting to others!
Get the recipe!
Gingerbread Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Gingerbread Salted Caramel Ice Cream
A quick & easy healthy ice cream recipe – or rather nice cream (made with a base of frozen banana)- made using leftover Christmas gingerbread cookies and homemade vegan salted caramel. It's a delicious way to end your easy Christmas dinner menu!
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Easy French Toast Casserole
Easy French Toast Casserole
A delicious, low-effort sweet treat to please a crowd – custardy inside, crisp along the edges, and sweet with hints of cinnamon, lemon zest, and vanilla.
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Slice-and-Bake Swirl Cookies
Chocolate Vanilla Pinwheel Cookies (Slice-and-Bake Swirl Cookies)
Soft, sweet, and beautiful old-fashioned chocolate vanilla pinwheel cookies (aka swirl cookies) combine a simple sugar cookie dough flavored with vanilla and cacao powder to impress with looks and flavor! They're perfect for enjoying after dinner as a Christmas day dessert or even for gifting!
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Stuffed Baked Apples
Stuffed Baked Apples with Cinnamon, Oats, and Walnuts (Oven or Air Fryer)
These baked apples are cored and stuffed with a simple, hearty cinnamon, oat, maple syrup "apple crisp" filling. Then bake or air-fry them until tender, warm, and perfect for serving with yogurt, ice cream, or caramel sauce as a Christmas dinner dessert.
Get the recipe!
Reindeer Peanut Butter Cups
Healthier Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Not only are these 5-ingredient chocolate peanut butter cups healthier than store-bought, they're also refined sugar-free, vegan, and made into a delicious Christmas-themed treat with the addition of pretzel antlers to make cute peanut butter cup reindeers.
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Chocolate Peppermint Bark
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark (+ Multiple Variations | Keto, Vegan Optional)
This 4-ingredient white chocolate peppermint bark layers milk/dark chocolate with white chocolate and a peppermint candy topping is a simple winter/ fall dessert or snack to enjoy with hot chocolate.
You can even adjust it to various dietary requirements, including vegan and keto!
Get the recipe!
Festive Yogurt Bark
Healthy Festive Frozen Yogurt Bark
A festive frozen yogurt bark that kids and adults will love. It can be made using homemade natural/Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt, and whipped up in 10 minutes, then left to freeze, for a simple and delicious healthy post-Christmas dinner treat.
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Winter Fruit Salad
Delicious Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
This winter fruit salad combines several seasonal Fall/Winter fruits, all tossed in a sweet and tangy honey ginger dressing (Vegan option available!) for a fresh, vibrant, and super delicious end to your Christmas dinner/Christmas buffet.
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Apple Crisp Recipe
The Best Apple Crisp Recipe
This easy apple crisp layers a sweet, tender, lightly spiced apple filling with thick, buttery, crisp cinnamon streusel topping, for a crowd-pleasing dessert that's surprisingly simple to prepare and can be made ahead. There are even gluten-free, sugar-free, and various flavor variations to choose from, too!
Get the recipe!
Not a fan of apples? Try this mixed berry crumble instead or even this peach dump cake!
Vegan Hazelnut Truffles (Ferrero Rocher)
Hazelnut Truffles (Vegan Ferrero Rocher)
These hazelnut truffles contain just 7 ingredients and are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan, healthier Ferrero Rocher-inspired snack, perfect for enjoying over the holidays!
Best of all, these simple no-bake bites only take minutes of hands-on prep.
Get the recipe!
Chocolate Eclairs – 3 Ways
The Perfect Classic Eclairs
Want to go all out this Christmas? Try these homemade eclairs (or profiteroles) made with one of three fillings, including vanilla custard, chocolate pastry cream, or whipped cream, all topped with a chocolate glaze, and perfect for serving to awed guests at the end of your Christmas dinner!
Get the recipe!
If you try any of these Christmas dinner ideas, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I would also love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
