Home cooks showed some love to every holiday, not just Christmas. From St. Patty's Day soup to New Year's Eve bruschetta, you'll want to make these festive contest-winning recipes year after year.
Presenting the Winners from Our Holidays & Celebrations Contest
Updated on May 09, 2024
1/11
Grand Prize: Brandy Alexander Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I really enjoy a good brandy Alexander, so I thought it would be fun to create a cheesecake with the same flavors. It’s not necessary to use both the dark and white creme de cacao in this recipe; six tablespoons of either one may be substituted. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 528 calories, 33g fat (19g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 295mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
2/11
1st Place: Halva-Caramel Alfajores (Caramel Filled Sandwich Cookies)
Total Time
50 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
A modern twist on a Latin American classic, my delicate butter cookies have an irresistible halvah-caramel center. —Andrea Potischman, Menlo Park, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich cookie: 85 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 41mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
3/11
2nd Place: Peach Bourbon Shrimp
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
After a whiskey tasting in Kentucky, I decided to create this shrimp recipe. Peach bourbon whiskey has notes of caramel, and peach preserves add sweetness to this easy weeknight dish. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 shrimp: 55 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
4/11
3rd Place: Bacon, Blue Cheese & Fig Bruschetta
Total Time
20 min
Servings
40 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my decadent, robust version of bruschetta. I like to serve it at parties, especially on New Year’s or other winter holidays. If you don’t like blue cheese, you can substitute feta or goat cheese. —Kristyne Mcdougle Walter, Lorain, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 83 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 139mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
5/11
Runner-Up: Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Filling
Total Time
50 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I got engaged on Valentine’s Day, so the holiday is extra special in our house. Each year we go all out with fancy desserts. —Kristin Bowers, Gilbert, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cupcake: 336 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
6/11
Runner-Up: Meaty Wild Rice Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We celebrate Indigenous People’s Day in October. Native Americans in Minnesota have been harvesting wild rice for several hundred years. To honor them, I make these wild rice meatballs. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
3 meatballs with 1/4 cup sauce: 380 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.
7/11
Runner-Up: Minty Pea Soup with Lemon
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day meals that also tastes great other times of the year. You can add cayenne or lemon pepper for a little kick. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 100 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 583mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
8/11
Runner-Up: Mother’s Day Ham
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After one bite, my husband informed me this slow-cooker ham was the best I’ve ever made. I invented it because I’m always buying international condiments and finding ways to use them. Sumac is the secret ingredient here. —Molly B. Johnson, Stevenson, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked ham: 273 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1565mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
9/11
Runner-Up: Spicy Roasted Carrot Hummus
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a wonderful appetizer for Easter, Mother’s Day or any spring gathering. The roasted carrots give this hummus a bright, fresh flavor. Even those who don’t like hummus end up loving this version. —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 155 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 175mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 starch.
10/11
Runner-Up: Sea Salt Sticks
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my daughter was in school, her class had a recipe exchange party. The kids would bring a food and accompanying recipe to share with the class. My daughter liked these crunchy breadsticks so well, she wanted to make them for the family. Needless to say, they were a hit. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 breadstick: 102 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 97mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
11/11
Runner-Up: Spiced Squash and Fruit Crumble
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet and savory dish is a side made for cold weather and is amazing with any meal. It is versatile and great for potlucks and family dinners. —Joan Hallford, Fort Worth, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 187 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
