100 best Christmas recipes (2024)

Share the love at Christmas with beautiful hand-made baked goodies as gifts.

The age-old question, ‘who created the pavlova recipe?’ is one that causes tension between Australians and New Zealanders. The classic pavlova recipe, complete with its crispy meringue, made from egg whites, and whipped cream topping, is beloved by both nations.Where did the pavlova recipe originate?National pride aside though, both Aussies and Kiwis can agree that this meringue-based dessert is an iconic showstopper at every event. We can all agree that the pavlova recipe was named after the Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, who visited both countries in the 1920s. The story in New Zealand says that the chef behind the pavlova recipe claimed inspiration from her tutu - and we can see why - that egg whites and sugar meringue topped with whipped cream is as fluffy as a tutu.How do you make the best pavlova possible?Pavlova is notorious for frightening even the most well-seasoned bakers (what with the separating egg yolks from egg whites, hoping to see stiff peaks form and nailing the meringue mixture!), but with our best pavlova recipe you can expect a crisp meringue shell and soft, fluffy marshmallow centre every time.However, if you do come into strife, our food editors have answered every pavlova question you could imagine below in our recipe notes.Top with whipped cream with its beautiful soft peaks, fresh fruit (fresh berries work well) piled high, and icing sugar (or confectioner's sugar, for those in the US wanting to have a crack at antipodean dessert cuisine) form the perfect show-stopping masterpiece on a cake stand. You could also add a drizzle of lemon curd, if you fancy it. Serve this classic pavlova recipe with whipped cream cold, or at room temperature (if it's not too hot a day - you don't want that whipped cream to topple),We're all for getting creative with our pavlova recipes, be it a rocky road pavlova, pavlova trifle, or an espresso martini pavlova. We even have an air fryer pavlova recipe. And, check out our collection of pavlova recipes to impress.Additional recipe notes by Alison Adams - Food Writer and Recipe Tester

A gift tag, some ribbon and a jarful of festive ingredients makes a clever food gift idea for Christmas.

School's out for the year, so get busy with the kids in the kitchen and make these tasty Christmas treats to give as gifts... or to eat for yourselves!

Dazzle taste buds with this stunningly easy and delicious white chocolate rock road. It makes a brilliant Christmas food gift if you can bear to part with it.

Wow guests with this stunning pork belly dish infused with star anise and drizzled with a moreish caramel sauce.

This is the most popular rocky road recipe on taste.com.au. Made with just a handful of ingredients, it's so easy to prepare and makes for a wonderful food gift for Christmas or Easter (or a sweet treat any other time of year!) Like all classic rocky road recipes, this one is made with chocolate and marshmallows, but also contains macadamias, raisins and buttery shortbread chunks. Top tip: slice this one while still in the pan rather than removing then chopping.

Potato salads are always popular at Christmas time — and this is the highest rated one on Taste.com.au!

A splash of Bailey's liqueur adds another dimension to this creamy chocolate fudge.

Our amazing glazed ham recipeWhen it comes to picking the perfect ham for Christmas (and one that will please everyone), we’ve found the easiest recipes are often the best. It can be tempting to go for one with lots of fancy ingredients, but trust us, you don’t need to.Why is this our best glazed ham recipe?We’ve tested this glazed ham recipe out on hundreds (if not thousands) of guests over the years and it’s hands down the best one we’ve tried. The combination of the two sources of natural sugar in the maple syrup and the honey gives the baked ham a beautifully golden, glossy top, and the tangy mustard really offsets the sweetness so it’s caramelised without being too sweet.Try these recipes for using up leftover ham, and these show-stopping Christmas lunch recipes (that we'll enjoy any time of year!).For perfect results and tips on how to score, prep and store your glazed ham, make sure you check out our notes section below.

These classic rum balls will satisfy your Christmas sweet tooth!

This ice-cream Christmas treat guarantees a sweet ending to your festive feast.

Looking for a cool Christmas dessert? Try out this stunning white chocolate and berry cheesecake.

100 best Christmas recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 Christmas dinner foods? ›

The best Christmas food in America: 10 popular dishes
  • Prime rib.
  • The Christmas Turkey.
  • Stuffing.
  • Cranberry sauce.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Christmas Cornbread.
  • Biscuits.
  • Sweet potato casserole.
Dec 3, 2020

What is the 12 course Christmas dinner? ›

A twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper is traditionally prepared to commemorate Jesus' twelve disciples in Central, Northern and Eastern European cultures, especially those that were formerly part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and neighbouring countries.

What is the most popular Christmas meat dish? ›

1. Turkey. Let's admit it, a whole turkey is the best and most traditional meat for Christmas dinners. Originally gracing our plates in the 16th century, popular history tells of King Henry VIII being the first English monarch to have turkey for Christmas.

What is the ideal Christmas dinner? ›

Here they are, the holiday classics! These are the top-rated main dish and side dish recipes you need for a perfect traditional Christmas dinner. They cover the savory side of Christmas dinner, from prime rib, baked ham, and roast turkey to scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.

What do Italians eat for Christmas dinner? ›

Pasta is a must for an Italian Christmas Dinner. Lasagna, Stuffed Manicotti and other cheesy baked pasta dishes are a hit with all ages—this is classic Christmas fare in Southern Italy.

What did the rich eat at Christmas? ›

In wealthy households, diners placed small amounts of meat, fish or pottage – a kind of thick stew made from vegetables and grains – onto a thick slice of bread or a hollowed out loaf, called a trencher.

What is the least popular Christmas food? ›

Across all states, their findings showed that the least popular Christmas foods are persimmon pudding (13%) and fruitcake (25%).

What is the most bought food item on Christmas? ›

Nationally, these are the most popular Christmas foods in America:
  • Roasted potatoes (91%)
  • Scalloped potatoes (83%)
  • Roast beef (77%)
  • Red velvet cake (76%)
  • Ham (76%)
  • Christmas nuts (76%)
Aug 1, 2023

What is a typical Polish Christmas Eve dinner? ›

The Wigilia supper

A Christmas Eve dinner excludes meat, as abstinence is required, and should comprise twelve distinct dishes in memory of the twelve Apostles. It begins with a soup, either borscht with uszka (tortellini), or wild mushroom consommé (grzybowa), followed by herring in different forms.

What is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve? ›

On Christmas Eve (Noche Buena), the extended family join for a dinner of roast turkey and white rice seasoned with garlic. Roast potatoes and cooked sweetened apple puree are often served as well. The main dessert is panettone. It is usually accompanied by a cup of thick hot chocolate.

Why is there no meat on Christmas Eve? ›

Origins and tradition

The long tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve dates from the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would instead eat fish (typically fried in oil).

What is the most eaten vegetable at Christmas? ›

Within this article we will outline the 5 most popular Christmas vegetables, and how to keep them fresh for the big day!
  • 1) Carrots.
  • 2) Broccoli.
  • 3) Potatoes.
  • 4) Cauliflower.
  • 5) Brussel sprouts.

What is the most popular American Christmas food? ›

And just like every other American, I have my favorites. According to a 2020 survey, turkey's the main event for 73% of Americans, with prime rib (69%), roast beef (66%), steak (65%), chicken (64%), roast pork (64%) and ham (62%) also coming in as popular contenders.

What can I serve at Christmas instead of turkey? ›

10 Main Course Alternatives to Turkey for Christmas
  • Goose. Traditionally, goose was the original bird of choice for a Christmas feast. ...
  • Duck. Another festive bird that offers flavorsome fat is duck. ...
  • Chicken. ...
  • Beef. ...
  • Lamb. ...
  • Venison. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Pork.
Dec 16, 2020

What should be on my Christmas food list? ›

Your ultimate Christmas shopping list
  • Crackers and nibbles. You never know when your friends, family or neighbours might pop by, so be sure to have plenty of nibbles on hand. ...
  • Milk. ...
  • Herbs and spices. ...
  • Oil. ...
  • Chocolate. ...
  • Tea and coffee. ...
  • Eggs.

What food do you have on a Christmas dinner? ›

Serve a traditional Christmas dinner menu filled with classic dishes, including smoked salmon starters, roast turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding. We're all for breaking with convention and trying something new on special occasions, but sometimes only classic dishes will do on Christmas Day.

What do Americans eat on Christmas Day? ›

Roast turkey and ham are popular for Christmas dinner throughout the country, but depending on the region, so are tamales, roast goose with red cabbage, crawfish jambalaya, roast pork or “seven fishes” seafood salad.

What food is good for Christmas party? ›

15 Festive Christmas Party Food Ideas
  • Pinecone Cheese Ball. ...
  • Fruit and Veggie Christmas Tree. ...
  • Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie. ...
  • Holiday Artichoke and Spinach Dip. ...
  • Sweet and Spiced Nuts. ...
  • Caprese Skewers. ...
  • Cranberry Walnut Blue Cheese Pinwheels. ...
  • Christmas Prime Rib.
Jul 8, 2020

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