Our Most Popular Recipes in December
Updated: Apr. 14, 2024
Check out the amazing recipes that Taste of Home readers can't stop rating, sharing and cooking in December. From pinwheels to prime rib and Christmas cookies, you'll want to make these recipes all month long.
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Aunt Rose's Fantastic Butter Toffee
I don't live in the country, but I love everything about it—especially good old-fashioned home cooking! Every year, you'll find me at our county fair, entering a different contest. This easy toffee recipe is a family favorite. —Kathy Dorman, Snover, Michigan
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Standing Rib Roast
This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado
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Corn Pudding
This sweetheart of a side is delicious, rich and perfect on a weeknight table or as part of a holiday spread. If you want to step up your side dish game, this triple-corn pudding is an excellent choice.
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Martha Washington Candy
Martha Washington candy is a nostalgic confection that’s been passed down for generations. Don’t let the word “candy” intimidate you! This confection is very easy to make, with zero fancy tools required.
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Au Gratin Potatoes
Once you've tried homemade au gratin potatoes, you'll never reach for the boxed stuff again.
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Big Soft Ginger Cookies
These ginger cookies are soft, easy to make and loaded with the flavors of fall.
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Ham Chowder
This ham chowder recipe is chock-full of ham, bacon, potatoes and cheese—all ingredients we love on their own, but even more so together. A warm bowl will warm you up from the inside, out!
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Homemade Eggnog
Is there any drink more Christmassy? We spill our top tips and tricks with our best-ever homemade eggnog recipe.
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White Chicken Chili
Our white chicken chili recipe is a flavorful twist on traditional red-tinged chili. It's an easy one-pot meal that delivers tender chicken and creamy white beans in a rich, savory broth.
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Italian Christmas Cookies
A single batch of these ricotta cheese cookies is never enough. I usually make one to give away and two more to keep at home. The ricotta cheese makes the morsels extra moist. —Doris Marshall, Strasburg, Pennsylvania
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Crustless Spinach Quiche
This crustless spinach quiche could not be easier to make, or more delicious. There's no crust to roll out, so it's ready in a snap, perfect for weekend brunches and impromptu get-togethers.
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Peanut Butter Snowballs
This recipe for peanut butter ball cookies is a nice change from the typical milk chocolate and peanut butter combination. I once prepared them for a bake sale at my granddaughter's school, and I've also put them in gift boxes to share with neighbors at Christmas. —Wanda Regula, Birmingham, Michigan
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Herb-Crusted Prime Rib
Use a meat thermometer, and this herb-crusted prime rib will rival the one served at your favorite restaurant. Prime rib doesn’t have to be intimidating!
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Homemade Bread Recipe
Here's a step-by-step guide to kneading, shaping and baking yeast bread for the freshest, fluffiest homemade loaves.
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Chicken Noodle Soup
You don’t need a whole chicken to make homemade chicken noodle soup. Here's how to make it with bone-in chicken, chewy egg noodles and an aromatics-infused broth.
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Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Our vanilla ice cream recipe is perfect for those who have never made ice cream in their life, as well as ice cream aficionados looking for a go-to, tried-and-true recipe to keep in their back pocket.
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Chicken Fajitas
Sizzling chicken fajitas are super easy to make and full of flavor. The secret is in the skillet, which can go from stove to table for restaurant-quality presentation.
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Grape Salad
This grape salad has it all: juicy grapes, creamy dressing, crunchy pecans and a sweet brown sugar topping. It’s kid-friendly and perfect for potlucks.
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Layered Christmas Gelatin
Christmastime always means that this recipe comes out of my recipe box. The traditional holiday colors in this salad make the buffet table look so pretty. —Diane Schefelker, Ireton, Iowa
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Sausage and Egg Casserole
This easy overnight sausage and egg casserole will become your new go-to recipe any time you have company in town.
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Saltine Cracker Candy with Toasted Pecans
My kids and grandchildren love this saltine cracker candy recipe. The neighbor kids rush right over when they find out I have them. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
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Cauliflower Soup
This is the cauliflower soup recipe we reach for on a cold winter day. It only takes 30 minutes to transform a head of cauliflower into a cheesy, creamy, ultra-comforting soup.
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Chicken Potpie
Learning how to make chicken potpie from scratch is 100% worth it. This chicken potpie recipe features a flaky, buttery crust packed with chicken, vegetables and a creamy sauce.
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Peanut Butter Fudge with Marshmallow Creme
With only five ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time, creamy peanut butter fudge with marshmallow creme is one of the easiest treats. It makes a great food gift, too!
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Slow Cooker Pot Roast
What if you could get the perfect pot roast with half the work, but double the flavor? Good news: You can. Here's how, with the help of our best slow-cooker pot roast recipe.
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Gingerbread Men Cookies
No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread men cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
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Cheeseburger Soup
Find out why this easy cheeseburger soup recipe is one of the top-rated recipes on our site!
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Apple Pie
Baking apple pie from scratch is a fall baking tradition we treasure. Perfect your technique with our apple pie recipe, full of all the tips and tricks you’ll need.
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Appetizer Wreath
I have lots of fun with this festive appetizer wreath. I often place a bowl of stuffed olives in the center. —Shirley Privratsky, Dickinson, North Dakota
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Scottish Shortbread
My mother, who is of Scottish heritage, passed this shortbread recipe, along with other favorite recipes, on to me. When I entered this treat at our local fair, it won a red ribbon. —Rose Mabee, Selkirk, Manitoba
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Amish Breakfast Casserole
We enjoyed hearty breakfast casseroles during a visit to an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the women told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it a bit to create this version that my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana
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Sandy's Chocolate Cake
Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
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Fiesta Pinwheels
Whenever I serve this make-ahead, easy pinwheel recipe, they disappear fast. When a friend at the office shared them with me, I knew in one bite I'd be taking her Mexican pinwheels home for the holidays. —Diane Martin, Brown Deer, Wisconsin
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Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies
I started making these treats after tasting a batch my friend whipped up. I immediately requested the drop cookie recipe and have been baking them by the dozens ever since. The icing is an ideal complement to the tart berries in the cookies. —Shirley Kidd, New London, Minnesota
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Broccoli Casserole
This classic cheesy broccoli casserole recipe is a timeless family favorite. It requires only five ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time for a quick and easy dinner.
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Cider Wassail
This traditional wassail recipe came from a dear friend in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where we lived for many years. Because it's warm, wonderful and non-alcoholic, we've even served it at church. This wassail drink is also perfect for a holiday open house. —Maryellen Hays, Wolcottville, Indiana
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Taco Soup
Love chili? Give our easy taco soup recipe a try. Filled with ground beef, chilies, beans and stewed tomatoes, this one-pot meal is a snap to put together. Everyone in the family will have fun adding their favorite toppings!
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Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie is a southern classic dessert that is popular both at the holiday table and any time you want a slice of sweet, lightly spiced pie. Here’s how to make it.
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Meat Loaf
This traditional meat loaf recipe creates a tender, juicy meat loaf topped with a caramelized glaze. The best part: It’s so easy to make, and it’s ready to eat in about an hour!
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Gingerbread Cookies
You can make a variety of festive holiday shapes with this gingerbread cookie recipe. Decorate each cutout with frosting or icing, sprinkles and gumdrops!
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Party Shrimp
The marinade for this dish makes the shrimp so flavorful, you won't even need a dipping sauce. Even those who claim they don’t like shellfish really dig this appetizer. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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First-Place Coconut Macaroons
These coconut macaroon cookies earned me a first-place ribbon at the county fair. They remain my husband's favorites—whenever I make them to give away, he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small enough batch for the two of us to nibble on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin
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Best Lasagna
What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.
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Buffalo Chicken Dip
It’s creamy, cheesy and packed with Buffalo hot wing flavors. This easy Buffalo chicken dip recipe is sure to be a party hit.
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Coconut Italian Cream Cake
I’d never tasted an Italian cream cake before moving to Colorado. Now I bake for people in the area, and this beauty is one of the most requested. —Ann Bush, Colorado City, Colorado
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Slow-Cooker Short Ribs
It is easy to learn how to cook short ribs in a slow cooker. The slow-cooker short ribs become so tender that you can cut the meat with a fork! The beef short ribs cook in a rich braising liquid that doubles as a gravy when it comes time to serve.
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Cinnamon Rock Candy
My mother taught me how to make rock candy with this hard cinnamon candy. Now I fix it for my own family and to give as gifts at Christmas. —Marganne Winter Oxley, Klamath Falls, Oregon
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Italian Sprinkle Cookies
Of all the Italian cookie recipes I make, this is my favorite. These sprinkle cookies take some time, but, believe me, they are well worth it! My husband and I used to operate an Italian American restaurant, and this recipe goes back generations. —Gloria Cracchiolo, Newburgh, New York
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight
This is a simple chocolate dessert recipe for any type of potluck occasion, and the pan always comes home empty. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho
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Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
My daughter gave me this recipe because she knows I love potatoes. The hearty casserole is loaded with a palate-pleasing combination of bacon, cheeses, green onions and sour cream. —Betty Miars, Anna, Ohio
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Best Ever Stuffed Mushrooms
At party time, I bring out a platter of my easy stuffed mushrooms. I like to make mine with reduced-fat sausage, but you can use regular for an indulgent treat. —Debby Beard, Eagle, Colorado
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Amish Sugar Cookies
The Amish seem to be master bakers, and they did not skimp on Amish sugar cookies.
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Pinwheels
Tortilla pinwheels are a crowd-pleasing, classic party food. Plus, the recipe is endlessly versatile!
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Christmas Fudge
Christmas fudge will be the richest and most decadent treat you’ll make this holiday season. Set the squares out on your Christmas dessert table or pass them out to loved ones for the perfect DIY gift.
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Fried Chicken
This crispy fried chicken recipe uses a batter instead of a flour coating. That helps the flour adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off after cooking!
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Snowball Cookies
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!
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Never-Fail Scalloped Potatoes
This rich, cheesy take on scalloped potatoes is deceptively simple to make. It comes together in just 25 minutes and then you have an hour to relax (or make the rest of the meal) while it bakes.
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Peppermint Meltaways
Welcome the most wonderful time of the year with a batch of these festive peppermint meltaways.
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Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod
After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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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!
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Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pot Roast
Slow-simmered and seasoned with rosemary, mustard and thyme, this tender and tasty crock pot roast and potatoes recipe is so easy to make and always a hit. Substitute burgundy or brandy plus a half-cup of water for the broth…the aroma of this English roast recipe is wonderful! —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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Vanilla Frosting
Don't know how to make icing for cake but don't want to settle for store-bought frosting? This four-ingredient easy vanilla frosting recipe is the perfect topper for your cakey creations. The homemade taste just can't be beat. —Mary Faulk, Cambridge, Wisconsin
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