Make the holidays feel effortless with festive dishes that deliver big flavor without the fuss. These easy Christmas recipes help you save time in the kitchen while still impressing your guests. From quick appetizers to simple main courses, each recipe is designed to make your celebration smooth and enjoyable. Spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the season with family and friends.

Easy Black Sesame Mochi: Delicious Nutty Treats

A hand holds a slice of a dark, sesame-covered dessert with a moist, layered interior, resting on a wooden surface and a baking sheet in the background.
Easy Black Sesame Mochi: Delicious Nutty Treats. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Black sesame mochi stands out for its chewy texture and deep nutty flavor. Each bite brings a balance of subtle sweetness and roasted sesame richness. A classic Asian dessert that feels both comforting and unique. Great for snacking, gifting, or enjoying with warm tea.
Get the Recipe: Easy Black Sesame Mochi: Delicious Nutty Treats

The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia

The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Gluten-free focaccia with a soft center, airy crumb, and crisp golden top feels almost unbelievable. The texture is so spot-on, you wouldn’t guess it’s gluten-free or vegan. Made without xanthan gum, yet still springy and satisfying. Perfect for dipping, slicing, and sandwich-making.
Get the Recipe: The Best Gluten-Free Focaccia

Best Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe

Best Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

A dreamy blend of sweet and creamy flavors makes this dip an instant crowd favorite. Quick to prepare in just 10 minutes and great for parties, snacks, or dessert boards. Smooth texture pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, cookies, or pretzels. A simple recipe that always disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Best Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe

Snowman Cheeseball

A snowman cheeseball covered in mozzarella cheese with peppercorn eyes and a carrot nose.
Snowman Cheeseball. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Cream cheese and zesty ranch seasoning come together for an adorable and flavorful appetizer. Formed into a snowman shape, it becomes the highlight of any holiday spread. Kids and adults love both the taste and presentation. Fun, festive, and incredibly easy to serve.
Get the Recipe: Snowman Cheeseball

Cherry Chocolate Blossoms

A cherry cookie topped with a hershey kiss.
Cherry Chocolate Blossoms. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Cherry-infused sugar cookies topped with a Hershey’s Kiss deliver chocolate-covered cherry vibes in every bite. Soft, pretty, and perfect for gifting or cookie trays. A festive bake that stands out visually and flavor-wise. A must-make for chocolate-and-cherry fans.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Chocolate Blossoms

Scrumptious Apple and Pear Chutney

A glass jar filled with chunky apple chutney sits on a light surface, with two green apples and a yellow pear in the background—perfect for easy Christmas recipes and adding flavor to your stress-free Christmas table.
Scrumptious Apple and Pear Chutney. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Autumn flavors shine through sweet apples and pears simmered down into a rich, warm chutney. Enjoy it alone by the spoonful or pair it with meats, cheeses, and holiday roasts. Naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it easy to share with everyone. A cozy preserve that tastes like fall in a jar.
Get the Recipe: Scrumptious Apple and Pear Chutney

Delightfully Chewy Gluten-Free Lemon Cookies

Delightfully Chewy Gluten-Free Lemon Cookies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Bright lemon flavor and a soft, chewy center make these cookies refreshing and satisfying. Vegan and gluten-free, yet full of zesty sweetness that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Perfect for citrus lovers or those with dietary restrictions. A sunshine-sweet cookie you’ll want more than one of.
Get the Recipe: Delightfully Chewy Gluten-Free Lemon Cookies

Peanut Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe: With Oatmeal

A plate of oatmeal cookies topped with whole pecans, arranged closely together—perfect for stress-free Christmas baking or adding to your collection of easy Christmas recipes.
Peanut Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe: With Oatmeal. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Nutty pecans and creamy peanut butter blend into a soft-baked cookie with hearty oats. Only a handful of ingredients are needed, making it fuss-free and weekday-friendly. Each bite is comforting, lightly sweet, and loaded with flavor. A nostalgic bake that always hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Pecan Cookies Recipe: With Oatmeal

Candied Lemon Slices

Candied Lemon Slices. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Perfect for topping cakes, cookies, cocktails, or enjoying on their own, candied lemon slices are beautifully bright and sweet. The process is simple and yields glossy, jewel-like citrus pieces. A great way to use fresh lemons creatively. Ideal for bakers, decorators, and citrus lovers.
Get the Recipe: Candied Lemon Slices

Peppermint Mocha Cookies

A peppermint chocolate cookie broken in half.
Peppermint Mocha Cookies. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

A holiday favorite that tastes like your favorite café drink in cookie form. Soft chocolate bases are packed with chocolate chips and peppermint bits for sweetness and crunch. Rich mocha notes make each bite cozy and festive. Perfect for cookie swaps or cold-weather cravings.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Mocha Cookies

Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Slow-cooked potatoes become tender inside with a lightly crisp finish that feels effortless. Ideal when you want a comforting side without watching the oven. Season simply, set, and come back to ready-to-serve potatoes. A weeknight staple with minimal work and maximum comfort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Best Black Bean Brownies

Best Black Bean Brownies. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Black beans blend seamlessly to create fudgy, rich brownies with no flour needed. Vegan and gluten-free, yet surprisingly decadent and chocolate-forward. Moist texture makes them almost unbelievable as a healthier dessert. A must-try bake for curious eaters and chocolate lovers alike.
Get the Recipe: Best Black Bean Brownies

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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