The holiday season is the perfect time to enjoy festive dishes that bring joy to family and friends. Here are three easy and delicious Christmas recipes to make your celebrations extra special.
1. Gingerbread Cookies
A classic holiday treat with warm spices that everyone will love.
Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and spices.
- Beat together butter, brown sugar, egg, molasses, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut into shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes and let cool before decorating.
2. Cranberry Orange Sauce
A fresh and festive twist on classic cranberry sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag fresh cranberries
- 1 cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, orange juice, zest, and sugar.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.
- Cool to room temperature before serving.
3. Roast Beef with Herb Butter
A flavorful and tender roast beef that’s perfect for Christmas dinner.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb beef roast (such as ribeye or sirloin)
- 4 tbsp butter, softened
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Season beef with salt and pepper.
- Mix butter, rosemary, thyme, and garlic, then rub onto the roast.
- Roast for 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 1-1.5 hours.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
These recipes are sure to add festive cheer to your Christmas celebrations!