Home › Christmas recipes › For adults

🍪 Christmas recipes for adults

For when the children are in bed, or for the whole family table: festive starters, mains, desserts and warming drinks for the grown-ups.

Baked salmon with a herb crust for ChristmasA whole side of salmon with a crispy crust of herbs, lemon and panko, ready in 20 minutes. A festive holiday fish main for 6 that is hard to get wrong. Beef carpaccio: an elegant Christmas appetizerPaper-thin beef carpaccio with arugula, shaved Parmesan, pine nuts and a lemon dressing. Plus the freezer trick to slice the beef thinly at home. Braised red cabbage with apples (holiday side)Sweet and sour braised red cabbage with apples, cloves and cinnamon. A cozy holiday side dish that tastes even better the next day and freezes well. Brown sugar glazed Christmas ham (easy holiday ham)A fully cooked spiral ham warmed low and slow, then brushed with a brown sugar, honey, orange and mustard glaze. An easy, crowd-pleasing holiday main. Cheese fondue for Christmas (with or without wine)How to make a smooth cheese fondue with white wine, or an alcohol-free version for the whole family. Tips to keep it from separating and the best dippers. Cheesy potatoes au gratin for Christmas dinnerCreamy potatoes au gratin with garlic, thyme and a golden Gruyère crust. Clear oven times, plus how to bake them ahead and reheat on Christmas Day. Chocolate star bread for Christmas breakfastA festive pull-apart star bread with layers of chocolate hazelnut spread, to tear apart together at Christmas breakfast. Shape it the night before. Christmas brunch ideas: baked frittata and a planA relaxed Christmas brunch built around a baked frittata with spinach and feta, plus what to prep the day before and a simple timing plan for the morning. Christmas tiramisu with spices (no raw eggs)A festive tiramisu with cinnamon, ginger and orange, made without raw eggs. Ready in 25 minutes, chilled overnight, with an alcohol-free version too. Classic pecan pie for Christmas (make-ahead recipe)A classic pecan pie with a gooey brown sugar filling and toasted pecans. Bake it a day or two ahead so your Christmas dessert is ready when you are. Creamy pumpkin soup with ginger for the holidaysVelvety pumpkin or butternut squash soup with a hint of ginger and toasted pepitas. Easy to make ahead and freeze, a cozy starter for Christmas dinner. Easy chocolate Yule log recipe (bûche de Noël)Make a chocolate Yule log cake with a light sponge, mascarpone whipped cream filling and ganache bark. Step by step, with tips to roll it without cracks. Easy shrimp cocktail in glasses for ChristmasShrimp cocktail served in glasses with crisp lettuce, cucumber and a creamy homemade cocktail sauce. Ready in 20 minutes; make the sauce the day before. Easy eggless chocolate mousse for ChristmasA light chocolate mousse made with just dark chocolate and cream, no raw eggs. Ready in 15 minutes, made the day before and served in pretty glasses. Homemade eggnog recipe (with an alcohol-free version)Creamy cooked eggnog with nutmeg and vanilla, heated to a safe 160°F. Spike the grown-up glasses with bourbon or rum, or keep it all family-friendly. Homemade potato croquettes (freezer-friendly)Crispy homemade potato croquettes with a fluffy center. Dry mashed potatoes, double breading and frying at 350°F, plus how to freeze them for the holidays. Homemade Christmas stollen with marzipanA classic Christmas stollen with raisins, candied peel and a marzipan center. Explained step by step, with tips for a light, moist loaf dusted with sugar. How to roast a turkey for Christmas, step by stepRoast a juicy Christmas turkey with herb butter, a timing guide, the safe internal temperature of 165°F and an easy pan gravy from the drippings. Mini quiches: easy holiday appetizer (freezable)Little quiches with bacon and leek or smoked salmon and dill, baked in a muffin pan. An easy holiday party appetizer you can make and freeze weeks ahead. Mulled wine recipe (plus a kid-friendly version)Warm, spiced mulled wine with orange, cinnamon and cloves for a holiday party, plus an alcohol-free mulled cider version the kids can enjoy too. No-churn Christmas ice cream cakeA no-churn ice cream cake with vanilla and chocolate layers, cranberries and pistachios on a graham cracker crust. Make it up to two weeks ahead. Non-alcoholic Christmas punch with cranberryA sparkling non-alcoholic Christmas punch with cranberry, orange, rosemary and bubbles. Festive for the whole family and ready in 10 minutes in a big bowl. Overnight French toast casserole for ChristmasAn overnight French toast casserole with berries and cinnamon. Assemble it the night before and bake it on Christmas morning. Perfect for a family brunch. Pork tenderloin Wellington for Christmas dinnerPork tenderloin wrapped in mushrooms, ham and puff pastry. An impressive Christmas main you prepare the day before and bake in about 35 minutes. Puff pastry Christmas tree with cheese (pull-apart)A cheesy pull-apart Christmas tree made from puff pastry. Quick to make and perfect for a holiday party with kids, plus more easy party food ideas. Stuffed roast chicken for a small Christmas dinnerWhole roast chicken with apple, chestnut and sage stuffing, crispy skin and an easy pan gravy. Festive, affordable and simpler than turkey for 4-5. Vegetarian mushroom Wellington with chestnutsA festive vegetarian Wellington with mushrooms, spinach, chestnuts and walnuts in golden puff pastry. A Christmas main the meat lovers will want too. Rich venison stew for Christmas (with juniper)Tender venison stew with red wine, juniper, smoky bacon and mushrooms. Even better the next day, and there is an alcohol-free version for the whole family.