10 Last-minute Christmas recipes that will take your holiday to the next level (2024)

Need some sweet snacks that get you and yours in the holiday spirit (or at least make the dark and cold more bearable)?

We found 10 simple, crafty, and clever food projects to make your spirits bright.

1. Marshmallow Penguins

How cute are these?

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They might look like they take a lot of effort, but they’re actually pretty easy. All you need are the following ingredients:

  • Melted milk or dark chocolate
  • Jumbo marshmallows
  • Melted white chocolate
  • M&MS

Just start by grabbing your marshmallow and putting a toothpick or kabob stick in the bottom. Then dip the back and top into the milk or dark melted chocolate.

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Put your white and brown chocolate into a frosting piper. Use the white chocolate to make big dots for the eyes and use the dark chocolate to make two little dots in the center.

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See what we mean?

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You just need 1 M&M for every two marshmallows because you’re going to use your finger to break them each in half.

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Your last step is to put on their eyes and noses before the chocolate hardens completely.

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So simple!

2. Marshmallow “hot chocolates”

These little snacks can keep the kiddies quiet for a bit as they figure out how to “drink” their little “mug” of goodness.

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This one involves a few more specialized ingredients but the result is well worth it.

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Grab the following:

  • Soft biscuit cookies
  • Mini candy canes
  • Edible gold paint (optional)
  • Chocolate frosting
  • Edible decor

First, take your marshmallow and break your candy cane at the curve. Then stick the candy cane handle into the marshmallow “cup.”

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Now take your biscuit and paint it with your edible gold paint if you’re going all-in.

Then press your thumb into the middle of the cookie to make an indent and put a dab of chocolate frosting in the center so the marshmallow will stick to it.

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Any decor you’ve chosen can also be stuck to the marshmallow using frosting.

And to top it off, you’ll just add some frosting and any other decor you want to the top to look like cocoa.

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Bottoms up!

3. Marshmallow reindeer

If you want to make Dasher of Dancer or Donner or Blitzen, you’re going to have to choose another bit of edible decor, because here we’re making Rudolph!

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Melted milk chocolate
  • Edible spray gold
  • Jumbo marshmallows
  • Decorative sticks
  • Edible decor such as small red hearts for a nose
  • Milk chocolate “eyes” from the Marshmallow Penguin recipe above

Note: These take a day to make because they need to cool in the fridge.

Start by putting your melted chocolate into a piping bag with a narrow hole at the end. Now use that to make what looks (at least passably) like pairs of reindeer antlers.

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Now, spray them with your edible gold so they’re nice and shiny.

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Chill them for a few hours.

And when you’re ready to return, you’ll grab your jumbo marshmallow, put it on a stick, dip it fully in the chocolate, and set it on the parchment paper under your chilled antlers.

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A candy heart serves as the nose, while the chocolate “eyes” from the penguin recipe above now become reindeer eyes.

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Now you need to chill them overnight so that all the chocolate hardens.

Because you’ll use parchment or wax paper, they should be easy to lift right off in one piece the next day!

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4. Chocolate-stuffed Christmas tree

Hey, if you’re going to eat more carbs for Christmas, you might as well do it right! And isn’t this beautiful?

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You’ll need the following ingredients to make this masterpiece:

  • One sheet of puff pastry
  • Chocolate squares (you can break up a candy bar for this)
  • One egg
  • Edible decor

Start with a round piece of puff pastry, and begin adding your chocolate squares to the center in the shape of a Christmas tree.

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Now take a knife and cut out a divot at the top.

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Continue cutting the puff pastry in strips like the photo below (and make two side cuts at the tree “trunk” as well, as shown).

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Continue by folding the puff pastry slices onto the chocolate, alternating sides to create a woven look.

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When you’re all done, beat an egg and brush it lightly over the puff pastry so you get a nice golden coating.

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The last step before cooking is to add your edible decor.

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Now, simply bake it in the oven at 350-degrees for 10 minutes and you’ll end up with a delicious, warm, chocolate-filled treat!

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5. Cranberry-brie puff pastry pull-apart

Now for something sweet AND savory! Don’t you wish you were cutting into THIS right now?

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It looks harder than it is, we promise.

Just gather the following ingredients:

  • Two round sheets of puff pastry
  • Cranberry jam
  • A wheel of brie
  • Olive oil
  • Rosemary
  • One egg

Set out one wheel of puff pastry and spread your cranberry jam in a circle around the outside.

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Then, layer the second sheet of puff pastry on top.

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Now, simply add your wheel of brie to the center.

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Make slices around the outside of your wheel a few inches apart, as you see below.

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Then take two pieces and fold them under, pressing the pastry together so they stay in place.

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This is what it should look like when you’re done:

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Now beat your egg and brush it on top of the puff pastry only.

Also, score the center of your brie with a sharp knife, not too deep.

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Add a bit of olive oil to the top of the brie, sprinkle some fresh rosemary over your creation, and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

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Finally, cut off the top of your brie wheel so that you can pull apart the doughy goodness and dip it in the gooey chese!

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6. Lazy eggnog snowman

Back to the marshmallows! What can we say? They’re the kind of sugary goodness you can only justify at this time of year.

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Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Jumbo marshmallows
  • Edible decor
  • Thin pretzel rods
  • Dark food coloring
  • A cup of eggnog (or hot chocolate)

This one is pretty simple!

Start but putting three marshmallows on a pretzel rod.

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Now, break a few more rods in half and stick them in the sides to make arms and legs.

Then, using a toothpick, draw eyes and a mouth on your “snowman.”

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Find a piece of edible decor for the nose. Anything orange will work!

Do the same thing to create the buttons.

Then, just lay him in your eggnog or cocoa and watch him melt like Frosty!

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Cheers!

7. Holiday cookie pops

Rather than handing the kids a cookie and hearing them ask for another a minute later, give them something they can spend a little time admiring (and eating carefully).

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All you need for this recipe is:

  • Oreo cookies
  • Melted white chocolate
  • Edible decor

This one certainly isn’t rocket science. In fact, you might as well let the kids help decorate their own.

Simply put a cookie on a stick and dip it into your melted chocolate.

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Then place it on some wax or parchment paper and decorate to your heart’s delight!

They may need some time to harden (or you can stick them in the fridge) but that will just build suspense!

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8. Puff pastry picks

For a good-looking but easy party snack, try this super-fast recipe that can be either sweet or savory, depending on your mood.

Just grab:

  • One rectangular sheet of puff pastry
  • One egg
  • Sugar and cinnamon (or something savory like poppy seeds and sea salt)

Start by taking a pizza roller and cutting your puff pastry into long slices.

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Now fold the pastry on top of itself, creating this zig-zag pattern:

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Now just put a stick through it:

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Then baste it with your egg wash and sprinkle with your sweet or savory toppings.

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Just 15-20 minutes in a 400-degree oven will produce a beautiful, easy, cheap, AND delicious snack!

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9. Sledding cookie penguin

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Here’s what you’ll need for this fun snack that only looks elaborate:

  • Oval biscuit cookies
  • Melted dark chocolate
  • Frosting, taffy, or cake mastic
  • Candy canes

You have to get a little crafty here, but it’s well worth it.

First, cover your biscuit in melted dark chocolate. Then allow it to cool down.

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Using taffy or cake mastic, you can create eyes, a little belly, an orange nose, and red feet for your penguin and push it into the chocolate.

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Now to get the penguin on his sled!

Take another biscuit and add more chocolate. Allow it to sit for a bit until you can place the penguin upright without having him fall over. Then allow everything to solidify.

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Mini candy canes act as his sled rails and fit into the chocolate as well.

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And now you’re just left to watch people try to eat it. (It should keep the kids busy for a while!)

10. Apple florets

We saved the best for last – a grown-up treat!

And look how pretty it is:

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All you need for this beautiful recipe is:

  • A sheet of puff pastry
  • Thinly sliced apples
  • Powdered sugar

While it looks so elegant, it’s just slicing and rolling!

Start by layering your thinly sliced apples on the edge of a rectangular piece of puff pastry. (Use a mandoline so that the apples are thin enough to roll up later.)

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Now, just sprinkle it with powdered sugar.

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Fold up the bottom of the puff pastry underneath the apple slices like so:

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And finally, just roll the puff pastry with the apples onto itself – it will look like a spiral from the top.

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In just 15-20 minutes in a 400-degree oven, you’ll have a beautiful treat!

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So which crafty recipe are you going to try first?

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By Jessica

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Jessica is a contributor at SBLY Media.

10 Last-minute Christmas recipes that will take your holiday to the next level (2024)

FAQs

What is a good dish to take for a Christmas party? ›

Some popular options include:
  • Appetizers: Cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, bruschetta, meatballs, and spinach dip 1 2. ...
  • Main dishes: Roast beef, ham, turkey, lasagna, prime rib, and salmon 1 2 .
  • Side dishes: Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green bean casserole, stuffing, and cranberry sauce 1 2 .
Nov 18, 2015

What is a traditional Christmas dinner menu? ›

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used. Pumpkin or apple pie, raisin pudding, Christmas pudding, or fruitcake are staples for dessert.

What are some different ideas for Christmas dinner? ›

14 Alternative Christmas Dinner Ideas
  • 01 of 14. Christmas Tacos. ...
  • 02 of 14. Easy Seafood Linguine. ...
  • 03 of 14. Grilled Sweet Potato Nachos. ...
  • 04 of 14. Family Favorite Macaroni and Cheese. ...
  • 05 of 14. Honey Glazed Moroccan Carrots. ...
  • 06 of 14. Shrimp and Crawfish Jambalaya. ...
  • 07 of 14. Grilled Sea Bass With Garlic Butter. ...
  • 08 of 14.
Mar 20, 2020

What is the most popular food people eat on Christmas? ›

Christmas dinner: Many families celebrate Christmas with a large dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Traditional dishes often include roast turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and various vegetables like green beans or Brussels sprouts.

What are 3 food items that are popular for Christmas dinner? ›

Depending on where you're from, when it comes to Christmas, we're sure you've got enough classic recipes to fill a book. Across the U.S., everyone's got their favorites: prime rib, rolls, gingerbread cookies.

What to bring to a Christmas lunch? ›

A guide to the perfect roast turkey
  • Grilled Prawns with Mango Salad & Sriracha Mayo. ...
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Whipped Feta. ...
  • Rockmelon & Burrata Salad. ...
  • Radish & Edamame Salad with Horseradish Sour Cream. ...
  • Apple Slaw with Walnut Praline. ...
  • Spiced Rice-stuffed Onions. ...
  • Blackberry, Avocado & Rocket Salad. ...
  • Green Potato Salad.

How do you throw a good Christmas party at home? ›

We asked experts to share their best-kept secrets for pulling off an easy and enjoyable holiday party.
  1. Send Invites Early. ...
  2. Choose a Theme—and Stick With It. ...
  3. Utilize What You Already Have in Your House. ...
  4. Always Overestimate When Buying Food and Beverages. ...
  5. Don't Stretch Yourself Too Thin in the Kitchen. ...
  6. Arrange the Party Wisely.
Nov 2, 2022

What is the 12 course Christmas dinner? ›

The bread is broken by the head of the household and begins the meal, which consists of 12 courses including sauerkraut with gravy, pierogi, halupki made with mushrooms and rice, fish, dry fruit, beans , peas, honey and other dishes.

What to have for Christmas dinner besides turkey or ham? ›

Here are six non-traditional dinner alternatives (vegetarian and meat) that you can swap out for turkey or ham this holiday season.
  1. Beef Wellington: The Showstopper.
  2. Christmas Roast Duck: The Twist on a Classic.
  3. Vegetarian Enchiladas: The Surprise Favorite.
  4. Roast Lamb: The Savory Star.
Dec 12, 2022

What are 3 traditional Christmas foods? ›

Every family in every part of the world serves their own traditional Christmas foods, but in the U.S., some are enjoyed nationwide:
  • Turkey.
  • Prime Rib.
  • Baked Ham.
  • Mashed Potatoes & Gravy.
  • Stuffing.
  • Green Bean Casserole.
  • Candied Sweet Potatoes.
  • Roasted Vegetables.
Dec 19, 2022

What do people traditionally eat on Christmas Eve? ›

On Christmas Eve, many families enjoy a special meal together, often featuring traditional Christmas dishes such as roast turkey, ham, or prime rib. Some families also include fish dishes, such as cod or salmon, in their Christmas Eve feasts.

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