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Sharing recipes to cook in December — a collection of my favorite dishes from thirteen years of December cooking. This is truly my favorite month of the year! Inside, you’ll find holiday drinks, easy appetizers, cozy dinners for entertaining, and of course… the very best Christmas cookies. It’s cookie box season! There’s a recipe for every day of the month, plus a few extras. ’Tis the season to be in the kitchen!
December has always held a kind of magic for me. Something about this time of year feels extra joyful — I love sharing comforting recipes, thoughtful gifting ideas, festive cocktails, and those cookie boxes I wait all year long to make.
As wonderful as this season is, it’s also busy. Between gift hunting, holiday gatherings, and everything else on our plates, life can feel nonstop. But food has such a beautiful way of grounding us. It brings us together, invites us to slow down, and lets us be fully present with the people we love.
It’s lingering over late-night dinners by the fire with the tree glowing beside us, saying yes to an extra cookie, and letting the magic of the season sink in.
Have you tried any of these recipes yet? I’d love to know what you’re planning to cook and bake this month. I can’t wait to share new recipes with you soon, but for now, let’s look back at some of our most-loved holiday classics.
And as always, if there’s something special you want to see this month, please share it in the comments.
Wishing you the warmest, coziest December — full of good food, good company, and so much holiday magic.
Recipes to Cook in December 2025
Soft and Fluffy Christmas Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing
Buttery, soft, and fluffy dough swirled with cinnamon sugar + yummy icing!
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Easy Fluffy Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls
These are a great make-ahead breakfast rolls the whole family will love, perfect for your holiday celebrations!
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Baked Cinnamon Crème Brûlée French Toast with Raspberry Preserves
This toast is eggy, custard infused…with plenty of cinnamon and orange liquor, has a crunchy sugar bottom, and is topped with whipped cream and raspberry preserves. Pretty sure it just doesn’t get better than this!
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Big and Fluffy Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
The classic cinnamon roll we all love…because you just can’t beat classic cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning!
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Sparkling Mistletoe Cosmo Mocktail
Kick off the holidays in the best way possible with a sparkly, wonderfully delicious, non-alcoholic Christmas punch!
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Spicy Ginger Pomegranate Mule
A little bit sweet and a little bit spicy and for festive holiday parties!
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Frosted Mistletoe Margarita
Simply blend everything together for a festive holiday cocktail that’s perfectly icy, sweet, and delicious!
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Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule
Vodka mixed with fresh lime juice, a squeeze of grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, spicy jalapeños, and topped off with ginger beer for a touch of sweetness and a little bit of bubbly! It’s both festive and warming, perfect for holiday parties and cold winter nights.
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Holiday Cheermeister Cocktail
Get into the spirit of the season with this Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch. Warming bourbon, sweet pomegranate juice, zesty citrus, and bubbly Prosecco, all mixed together to create the perfect holiday punch that’s both festive and delicious. Serve this poured over homemade festive “holiday” ice cubes for the prettiest seasonal cocktail.
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Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail
A touch of sweet and a little bit spicy…perfectly fitting for "the Grinch".
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Creamy Coconut White Russian
The perfect holiday twist on the classic White Russian cocktail…it’s a delicious December treat!
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Christmas Old Fashioned
The perfect cocktail to cozy up with by the fire…make it fizzy with ginger beer!
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Whoville’s Spiced Up Christmas Margarita (with mocktail)
This takes only minutes to make but always turns out looking so impressive and festive!
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White Christmas Mojito.
This drink is simple as can be, and perfect for all your holiday parties.
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Christmas Tree Cheese Board
Christmas Tree Cheese Board: fun, festive, and perfect for holiday entertaining. Plus quicker and easier than you'd think to throw together!
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Honey Butter Soft Pretzel Candy Canes
The perfect rolls for all of your upcoming holiday dinner parties. Enjoy any leftovers for breakfast!
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Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Parmesan Wine Cream Sauce
Feels elegant and fancy yet comes together in under an hour…sure to be loved by all!
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Pull Apart Christmas Tree Garlic Bread
Soft, buttery, and SO delicious. Serve warm with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt + marinara for dipping!
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Prosciutto Wrapped Baked Brie in Pastry
A deliciously popular appetizer that’s perfect for holiday entertaining and always a crowd favorite!
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Baked Gruyère in Pastry with Rosemary and Garlic
Festive, quick, easy to prepare, and most importantly, incredibly delicious…THE holiday appetizer!
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Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath.
The perfect pull-apart bread for all of your upcoming holiday dinners.
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Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates with Rosemary Honey
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates with Rosemary Honey…my new holiday appetizer. They’re quick, easy, and everyone loves these sweet and savory bites.
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Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Twists
The holiday appetizer everyone asks for…year after year…quick, easy, and delicious!
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Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili
Add a side of beer bread and toppings for the perfect bowl of winter chili on these coldest days of the year!
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Brown Butter Pesto Lasagna
A great meal for entertaining…make ahead and bake before guests arrive. Perfect for the holidays!
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Garlic Butter Chicken Marsala Meatballs
Equally great for a simple family dinner as it is for holiday entertaining…cozy, flavorful, and delicious!
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Crockpot Crispy Pork Ramen
For those nights when you’re craving your favorite bowl of ramen, but want to stay in and be cozy at home!
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Spicy Buffalo White Chicken Chili Tacos
Crispy shells and taco meat that's extra saucy with just the right amount of spice and flavor!
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Easy Spicy Baked Potato Soup
Made with everything in your favorite baked potato dish…it's the perfect bowl to warm up to on a cold winter day!
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Spicy Lasagna Soup
Great for when you're wanting lasagna…but not all the work. The perfect soup for holiday entertaining!
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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
An all-in-one meal for busy weeknights that's equally great for the holidays…quick, easy, hearty, and so delicious!
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Shredded Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Salad
Quick, festive, easy to make ahead, and so delicious. Perfect for your next holiday gathering!
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Shredded Brussels Sprout and Bacon Pizza
All the sprouts on top make this pizza kind of like eating salad with a side of cheesy pizza!
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Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka
30 mins, one-pot…this silky smooth, extra creamy pasta is the perfect cozy winter recipe for serving up to friends and family!
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Creamy Balsamic Mushroom Chicken Marsala
The 30-minute skillet dinner that feels extra special!
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30 Minute Spicy Coconut Butter Chicken
Quickly made on the stove, all in one skillet. Finish off with steamed rice and naan for a warm cozy meal!
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Crispy Cheesy Potatoes Stacks
Made simply, each cute little potato stack is perfect and so delicious.
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Cheddar Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Bacon
These homemade Cheddar Pierogi with Caramelized Onions and Bacon are the perfect meal to make with family and friends.
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One Pot Creamy French Onion Pasta Bake.
The ultimate cold weather comfort food. Think French onion soup, with the addition of pasta, a creamy sauce, and melty Gruyere cheese…so delish!
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One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo.
The perfect winter dinner…quick, easy, hearty, and delicious…a cherished all-in-one dinner!
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Roasted Bacon Brussels Sprouts with Salted Honey
A great quick and easy holiday side dish…and always one of the first to disappear!
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Cheesy Potato Casserole with Buttery Ritz Crackers
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Whipped Goat Cheese Candied Bacon Dip
This quick and easy holiday appetizer is addictive, festive, and perfect for entertaining!
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Holiday Pretzel Mix
Each pretzel is perfectly seasoned, buttery, crunchy, and spicy. Serve at your next party or package them up for gifting!
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Pot Roast Sunday Sauce and Rigatoni
Incredibly delicious and easy, add a side of crusty bread to mop up the sauce plus a big winter salad!
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Creamy Gnocchi Chicken Soup
That bowl of winter comfort we're all craving most…perfect for these busier short and sweet December days!
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The Cookies/Sweets
Chewy Christmas Snickerdoodles
Made with browned butter, holiday M&M's, pretzels, chocolate chips, and chunks of dark chocolate…so yummy!
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Christmas Puppy Chow
The easiest dessert to mix up with zero baking required…it's the perfect treat to package up in a cute box or tin!
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Salted Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Blondies
Start with melted butter and creamy peanut butter. Add some brown sugar and plenty of vanilla extract. Then add flour and a handful of semi sweet chocolate chips, stir everything up in one bowl (yes stir). Seriously so easy.
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Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cinnamon Browned Butter Buttercream
Sweet gingery cupcakes made with brown sugar, molasses and a touch of vanilla extract. Then baked up and frosted with a cinnamon infused buttercream. These cupcakes are moist, full of warming spices, so delicious, and simple enough to make any day of the week!
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Salted Caramel Pretzel Snickerdoodles
For your holiday cookie baking. Crispy edges, soft and gooey centers…with just a little pretzelly crunch.
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Vanilla Ginger Wreath Cookies
So easy to make, so pretty, and are so especially delicious. Be sure to include these cozy winter cookies in your holiday boxes!
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Easy Slice ‘n’ Bake Vanilla Almond Sugar Cookies
These cookies make for a great homemade gift, and a festive addition to your holiday cookie box!
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Jolly Santa Cookies
Fun to bake, delicious to eat, a great homemade gift, and a festive addition to your holiday cookie box!
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Salted Caramel Brûlée Latte.
The sweetest mug to cozy up to…perfect for sipping while trimming the tree or watching a holiday movie.
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Hot Chocolate Lace Cookies
Fun to bake, delicious to eat, a great homemade gift, and a festive addition to your holiday cookie box!
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Christmas Monster Cookies
Festive, easy, and sweet…these cookies are perfect for packing up and gifting for the holidays!
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Chewy Frosted Cinnamon Swirl Snickerdoodles
With pockets of butter cinnamon swirl and sweet cream cheese icing – delicious Christmas Cookies!
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Soft Gingerbread Latte Cookies with Brown Butter Icing
A cross between a really great soft, chewy gingerbread cookie and a delicious steaming gingerbread latte!
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Easy Vanilla Bean Christmas Lights Cookies
Fun to bake, delicious to eat, amazingly flavorful…a festive add to your holiday cookie box!
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The Santa Clause Cookies.
Fun to bake, delicious to eat, a great homemade gift, and a festive addition to your holiday cookie box!
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Vanilla Hot Chocolate Molten Cookies
These taste like your favorite mug of creamy vanilla hot chocolate…perfect to bake, share, and gift!
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Vanilla Brown Sugar Eggnog Cookies
The perfect Christmas sugar cookies – with a whimsical feel plus yummy flavors!
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Chocolate Pretzel Toffee
Each piece has a salty chocolate bite with just the right amount of crunch – perfect for eating and gifting!
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Polar Express Hot Chocolate
This is Christmas in a mug, complete with so much whipped cream because, ’tis the magic of the season!
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The Cookie Boxes
How To Create the Best Holiday Cookie Box.
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2024 Christmas Cookie Box.
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2023 Christmas Cookie Box.
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2018 Holiday Cookie Box.
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2019 Holiday Cookie Box.
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2020 Holiday Cookie Box.
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2021 Holiday Cookie Box.
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2022 Christmas Cookie Box.
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See The Recipehomemade holidays
Glittered Gingerbread Christmas Tree Ornaments.
See The RecipeThis post was originally published on December 1, 2025
