As you deck the halls and stuff the stockings, whip up some of our best Christmas recipes. These highly rated dishes come from home cooks across America.
The Best Christmas Recipe in Every State
Updated Sep. 27, 2024
1
/
46
Alabama: Carrot Fruitcake
Even those who don't care for fruitcake love this special holiday dessert. It's a fun way to dress up that old favorite, carrot cake. Try it—your friends and family will agree. —Ann Parden, Chunchula, AlabamaDon’t miss our comprehensive guide to Christmas cookies, complete with recipes, baking secrets and genius decorating advice.
2
/
46
Alaska: Special-Occasion Chocolate Cake
Learn how to make a chocolate layer cake that is sure to impress all your party guests. This decadent dessert has it all: chocolate, ganache, buttercream and crunchy almonds to top it all off.
3
/
46
Arizona: Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole
Bacon, cheddar and sour cream turn ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary twice baked potato casserole. It's one of our family's beloved standards for the holidays. —Kyle Cox, Scottsdale, ArizonaCheck out more of our favorite Christmas side dishes you’ll want to make this year.
4
/
46
Arkansas: Peanut Butter Christmas Mice
With their black licorice tails, candy noses and peanut ears, these chewy "mice" were always a hit at classroom parties. My children are in their teens now, but they still ask me to make these cookies for the holidays. —Nancy Rowse, Bella Vista, Arkansas
5
/
46
California: Christmas Meatballs
The perfect tasty holiday party appetizer that your guests will absolutely gobble up.Start your Christmas celebration off on the right foot with these tasty apps.
6
/
46
Connecticut: Beef Tenderloin with Pomegranate Chutney
When I want to show family and friends some culinary love, I roast a tenderloin and serve it with a sweet-tart pomegranate and apple chutney. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
7
/
46
Delaware: Double Whammy Eggnog Cookies
These cookies are an amazing way to use extra eggnog. They've become a new family classic. — Teresa Morris, Laurel, Delaware
8
/
46
Florida: Amber's Sourdough Stuffing
All my kids and grandkids absolutely love this sourdough stuffing, but especially my daughter-in-law Amber. I usually make a big batch at Thanksgiving so I will have leftovers for my husband. But this recipe is perfect for two. —Kathy Katz, Ocala, FloridaYou can feel good about loading your plate with these healthy stuffing recipes.
9
/
46
Georgia: Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin
This herb-crusted Italian pork loin is an easy-to-make entree that will impress everyone who gets to enjoy it.
10
/
46
Hawaii: Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream
You’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, HawaiiTake a look at 30 more pies that would look great on your dessert table.
11
/
46
Idaho: Eggnog Cutout Cookies
I created this cookie recipe because my sons liked eggnog so much. After frosting the cookies, you can add to their festive flair by sprinkling them with colored sugar. —Glenna Tooman, Boise, Idaho
12
/
46
Illinois: Buttery Spritz Cookies
Spritz cookies are perfect for holiday cookie trays, or for any time during the year when you want a soft and delightful treat!You’re going to want to sneak a peek at our ultimate gingerbread guide.
13
/
46
Indiana: Bacon Cheese Wreath
My grandmother makes this smoky bacon and Parmesan spread for parties and holiday get-togethers. For a pretty yuletide presentation, decorate the cream cheese wreath with green parsley and red pimientos. —Lisa Carter, Warren, Indiana
14
/
46
Iowa: Holiday Brunch Casserole
If you'll be having overnight company during the holidays, you may want to consider this hearty casserole. Guests will be impressed with its bountiful filling and scrumptious flavor. It's the perfect Easter breakfast or Christmas casserole. —Nelda Cronbaugh, Belle Plaine, Iowa
15
/
46
Kansas: Banana Pancake Snowmen
Both kids and adults will love these yummy pancakes. Invite your little ones to help decorate their snowmen and they'll jump out of bed in a hurry! —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
16
/
46
Kentucky: White Chocolate Peppermint Crunch
This is my favorite confection to make at Christmas. Not only is it easy, it's delicious as well. I like to fill small bags with the crunchy candy to place in gift baskets.—Nancy Shelton, Boaz, Kentucky
17
/
46
Louisiana: Contest-Winning Sweet Potato Bake
This is an easy dish to prepare and is a perfect addition to that special holiday meal. The topping is flavorful and gives a nice contrast of textures. —Pam Holloway, Marion, Louisiana
18
/
46
Maine: Orange-Glazed Pork Loin
This is one of the best pork recipes I've ever tried. My family looks forward to this roast for dinner, and guests always want the recipe. The flavorful rub, and the glaze brightened with orange juice, are also outstanding on pork chops. —Lynnette Miete, Alna, Maine
19
/
46
Maryland: Gingerbread Men Cookies
These festive gingerbread men cookies are soft and chewy, are filled with cozy winter flavors and hold their shape perfectly after baking. Grab your favorite frosting and decorate to your heart's content!
20
/
46
Massachusetts: Sweet Potato Cranberry Bake
In October, my husband helps harvest cranberries at a friend's bogs, so I have access to the very freshest ingredients. Their bold autumn flavor pairs up perfectly with sweet potatoes to make a seasonal side dish my family looks forward to. —Jill Doyle, Kingston, Massachusetts
21
/
46
Michigan: Peppermint Meltaways
Welcome the most wonderful time of the year with a batch of these festive peppermint meltaways.
22
/
46
Minnesota: Santa Cupcakes
My kids leave out at least one cupcake for Santa on Christmas Eve. These seemed appropriate! —Sharon Skildum, Maple Grove, Minnesota
23
/
46
Mississippi: Spruced-Up Cheese Spread
A neighbor who’s a wonderful cook gave me the recipe for this zippy cracker spread. It’s easy to shape into a Christmas tree for a festive occasion, but it looks enticing in a bowl or on a plate, too. —Judy Grimes, Brandon, Mississippi
24
/
46
Missouri: Easy Potato Rolls
Homemade potato rolls have a distinctively delicious flavor and moist, fluffy texture.
25
/
46
Montana: Roast Turkey with Sausage-Cabbage Stuffing
This turkey and trimmings recipe is a staple in my family. No one guesses that there's cabbage in the stuffing! — Alma Winberry, Great Falls, MontanaThese are the best recipes from Montana, hands down.
26
/
46
Nebraska: Mocha Yule Log
This eye-catching dessert is guaranteed to delight holiday dinner guests. Chocolate lovers will lick their lips over the yummy cocoa cake, mocha filling and frosting. For a festive touch, I garnish the yule log with marzipan holly leaves and berries. —Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska
27
/
46
New Hampshire: Cranberry-Almond Apple Pie
My grandmother made this treat every year for Christmas. It’s much better than everyday apple pie. The recipe is a family treasure. —Maxine Theriauit, Nashua, New Hampshire
28
/
46
New Jersey: Christmas Eve Confetti Pasta
This easy Christmas dinner has become a holiday tradition in our home. All the prep is done before we attend Christmas Eve service. On returning, I just boil water and saute. It's so colorful with a tossed salad and garlic bread — and always gets raves! — Ellen Fiore, Ridgewood, New Jersey
29
/
46
New Mexico: Eggnog French Toast
This recipe is a favorite of our family and not only at Christmas. We especially like to prepare this hearty breakfast when we go camping. —Robert Northrup, Las Cruces, New Mexico
30
/
46
New York: Touch-of-Gold Christmas Trees
You can decorate these pretty Christmas trees with other types of sprinkles if you don't have the gold dust. The filling alone makes the cookies special and so delicious! —Linda Sweet, Cornwall, New York
31
/
46
North Carolina: Swirled Mint Cookies
No one will believe that these rich and buttery cookies are light, but they are! With their colorful swirls, each one of these minty, sugary bites has its own look. —Lois Hill, Thomasville, North Carolina
32
/
46
North Dakota: Cranberry Fluff
Cranberry fluff is sweet, tart and creamy all at once. This Midwestern picnic salad (or dessert!) is also easy to riff on, so try the recipe once as is, then play around and come up with your own variations.
33
/
46
Ohio: Cranberry Layer Cake
I adapted a Bundt cake recipe to create this layer cake. Cranberries, walnuts and homemade frosting make it taste so delicious that you'd never guess it starts with a convenient cake mix. —Sandy Burkett, Galena, Ohio
34
/
46
Oklahoma: Pecan Meltaways
I love making these buttery, nutty cookies during the holidays. This snowball cookies recipe (also called pecan meltaways) is simple enough to make ahead and freeze, too!
35
/
46
Oregon: Cranberry Honey Butter
If you are traveling to a friend's or loved one's for the holidays, bring them something even better than a bottle of wine—this easy to whip up treat! —Arisa Cupp, Sherwood, Oregon
36
/
46
Pennsylvania: Italian Christmas Cookies
Ricotta cheese is the star of these ricotta cookies, traditionally served as Italian Christmas cookies. The soft ricotta cheese makes the treats extra moist, and the vanilla frosting seals in the sweetness.
37
/
46
South Carolina: Red Velvet Cheesecake
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
38
/
46
South Dakota: Easy Mini Caramel Apple Cheesecakes
Cheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
39
/
46
Tennessee: Almond Cherry Fudge
Cooked in the microwave, this fast fudge is a sweet addition to any holiday gathering. I make it when I need a quick treat for a school party or to take to a neighbor. —Shellie Tucker, Hendersonvlle, Tennessee
40
/
46
Texas: Lemon Snowflakes
You’ll need just four ingredients to make these delightful lemon snowflake cookies. Confectioners’ sugar highlights the cracked tops to give them their snowflake appearance. —Linda Barry, Dianna, Texas
41
/
46
Utah: Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies
Every time I make these wonderful cookies, the spicy aroma takes me back to my childhood. I helped Mom make them and delivered them to neighbors. —Kara Cook, Elk Ridge, Utah
42
/
46
Virginia: Sugar-Glazed Ham
Whip up a gorgeous holiday centerpiece with this easy glazed ham recipe. Our Test Kitchen experts share their best tips and tricks for how to cook a ham for special occasions.
43
/
46
Washington: White Chocolate Cranberry Blondies
Friends sometimes ask me to make these for wedding receptions. For a fancier presentation, I cut the bars into triangle shapes and drizzle white chocolate over each one individually. —Erika Busz, Kent, Washington
44
/
46
West Virginia: Eggs Florentine Casserole
For our Christmas brunch, I make this variation on a classic eggs Florentine recipe, adding sausage and spinach to make a snappy casserole. Sometimes I mix in fresh peppers or green chiles, so play with it. —Karen Weekley, Washington, West Virginia
45
/
46
Wisconsin: Chicken Crescent Wreath
Here's an impressive-looking dish that's a snap to prepare. Even when my cooking time is limited, I can still serve this delicious crescent wreath. The red pepper and green broccoli add a festive touch. —Marlene Denissen, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
46
/
46
Wyoming: Cinnamon Brownies
For Christmas one year, a friend gave us a pan of these delicious brownies. Before I figured out their secret was cinnamon, half the pan was already gone! —Gail Mehle, Rock Springs, WyomingOriginally Published: October 10, 2019
