Holiday Recipes

Festive Holiday Recipes for Your Next Party

The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with delicious holiday recipes perfect for entertaining? From my Classic Pumpkin Roll to showstopping Turkey and Christmas Tree Charcuterie Boards, these recipes are easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests. Let’s get started!

Classic Pumpkin Roll

A family favorite for over 20 years, this pumpkin roll is as stunning as it is delicious.

Ingredients:

• Dry ingredients:
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp salt
• Wet ingredients:
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ⅔ cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• Filling:
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
  • 6 tbsp softened margarine
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Butter a 10” x 15” jelly roll pan, line it with parchment, then butter and flour the parchment.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
3. Beat eggs and sugar in a mixer until thick, then stir in pumpkin puree. Mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
4. Pour batter into the prepared pan, smooth it out, and sprinkle with pecans. Bake for 13–15 minutes, or until the cake springs back to the touch.
5. Flip the baked cake onto a powdered-sugar-dusted kitchen towel, roll it up tightly, and let it cool for 45 minutes.
6. While cooling, mix filling ingredients until smooth.
7. Unroll the cooled cake, spread the filling evenly, then roll it back up. Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
8. Slice into ½-inch pieces, garnish with powdered sugar, rosemary, and sugared cranberries. Serve and enjoy!

Turkey Charcuterie Board

This whimsical turkey-shaped charcuterie board is a fun and festive appetizer.

Ingredients:

• Red pear (for the turkey body)
• 2–3 persimmons (for decoration)
• Cloves (for eyes)
• Almond (for beak)
• Prosciutto, salami, and Calabrese (for “feathers”)
• Cheddar and pecorino cheese
• Green olives, blueberries, red grapes
• Crackers, pomegranate seeds, mixed nuts

Instructions:

1. Use a round cutting board. Slice the pear in half for the turkey body and head. Add cloves for eyes, an almond for the beak, and persimmon slices for legs.
2. Arrange rows of meats, cheeses, and crackers to mimic feathers.
3. Garnish with olives, grapes, nuts, and pomegranate seeds for a festive finish.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Shaped like a Christmas tree, this board is as delicious as it is festive!

Ingredients:

• Sugar snap peas (for the tree shape)
• Cheese triangles (cheddar, pecorino)
• Prosciutto, salami
• Green olives, blueberries, grapes
• Crackers
• Pomegranate seeds, mixed nuts
• Sage leaves (for garnish)
• Persimmon slice (for the star)

Instructions:

1. Arrange sugar snap peas in a tree shape on an elongated board.
2. Add sections of cheese, grapes, and olives to build the tree.
3. Fill in with prosciutto rosettes, salami fans, and crackers for texture.
4. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, nuts, and sage. Place a persimmon slice at the top as the star.

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I hope these recipes inspire you to create something magical in your kitchen this holiday season. Happy hosting! 🎄