30 Nearly Forgotten Christmas Recipes

Orange Chocolate Mousse Mirror Cake

Roast Christmas Goose

I have such fond childhood memories of Christmas dinner and my mother serving a golden brown Christmas goose. To flavor the meat, Mom stuffed the bird with peeled and quartered fruit that’s discarded after baking. —Rosemarie Force, Heathsville, Virginia

Cherry Chiffon Gelatin

I've made this recipe so often, I can hardly read the card any longer. It's a beautiful salad or dessert, but beware. Once you've made this, they'll ask for it again and again! —Michelle Smith, Sykesville, Maryland

Cornbread Dressing with Oysters

My father's dressing bakes separately from the turkey and is simply delicious. The secret is to prepare the corn bread first, let it cool and then crumble it to form the base for the rest of the ingredients. My father always added oysters to give the dressing a special flavor. —Nell Bass, Macon, Georgia

Pear and Pomegranate Lamb Tagine

Pomegranate, pear and orange go together so well that I decided to use them to prepare a Middle Eastern-themed tagine with lamb. This tastes delicious served over couscous, polenta or cauliflower mashed with feta cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Plum Pudding

Perfect for holidays or special meals, this chewy plum pudding recipe is packed with sweetness and warm, inviting spices.

Cranberry Fluff Salad

It wasn’t the holidays without my grandmother’s cool and tangy cranberry fluff. With only four ingredients, it’s a cinch to make. Now my siblings and I carry on her tradition. —Leah Nicholes, San Diego, California

Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze

These smoky-sweet meatballs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty. I like setting them out when folks come to visit. —Janet Zeger, Middletown, Pennsylvania

Creamed Pearl Onions

When our children were small, we always celebrated Christmas at our house. This was one of many recipes I relied on that could be prepared a day in advance, which gave me more time to spend with guests. Everyone expected to see this vegetable dish on the table every year. —Barbara Caserman, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Orange and Olives Salad

My grandmother made sure this orange and olives salad was on our holiday table every year. It’s so light and simple to make. And it looks pretty on the table! —Angela David, Lakeland, Florida

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary

Herbs, garlic and butter give this hearty meal in one a classic flavor. It's a lot like pot roast, except it uses chicken instead of beef. —Isabel Zienkosky, Salt Lake City, Utah

Dried Cranberry Sharp Cheddar Cheese Balls

These personal-size cheese balls are a pleasure to pass around a party. They’re much easier to eat than their large-scale counterparts. And with their bacon, pecans and berries, they’re probably more delicious too! —Donna-Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Sparkling Fruit Salad

Pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, strawberries and grapes are treated to a dressing of wine and sparkling club soda in this delightful salad. Serve in dessert dishes or set the whole bowl on the table for a fetching presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Best Deviled Eggs

Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab.—Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia

Hot Mushroom Spread

I’ve made this creamy, hearty mushroom appetizer for years—it’s a big hit every time.—Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia

Cherry Tomato Salad

In this cherry tomato salad, juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes are dressed lightly with a little oil, vinegar and herbs and given their moment to shine.

Rosemary Roasted Lamb

Who knew so few ingredients could result in such an elegant and savory entree? One bite will make this no-fuss main dish memorable. —Matthew Lawrence, Vashon, Washington

Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding

This comforting dessert is a wonderful way to end any meal. As a girl, I always waited eagerly for the first heavenly bite. Today, my husband likes to top his with a scoop of ice cream. —Sandra Melnychenko, Grandview, Manitoba

Orange Spritz Cookies

Brown sugar gives these spritz cookies a lovely light caramel tint. This variation has a rich buttery shortbread taste and texture with a hint of orange flavor. They are a delightful addition to my holiday cookie tray. -Sean Fleming, St. Charles, Illinois

Slow-Cooker Applesauce

Slow-cooker applesauce comes together easily, given the appliance's even heat, which transforms sliced fruit into soft homemade applesauce with little more prep than it takes to peel and slice the fruit.

Oyster Fricassee

I oversee the gardens at Colonial Williamsburg. We've learned that the colonists had a ready source of oysters from Chesapeake Bay. I enjoy this rich, creamy casserole, a special dish from this area's holiday recipe collection. —Susan Dippre, Williamsburg, Virginia

Dad’s Creamed Peas & Pearl Onions

While I was growing up, it was our family tradition to make creamed peas with pearl onions for every Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. My dad was not a happy camper if he didn't see this dish on the table. It was his favorite! I made it for my own family while our kids were growing up, and now my daughter makes this dish for her family. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Chestnut Stuffing

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a serving of my family's favorite stuffing. If you can't find jarred chestnuts at your grocery store, check gourmet cooking shops or order them online. —Lee Bremson, Kansas City, Missouri

Crystallized Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is the best of twp worlds—gingerbread and chocolate chip cookies. Since they're combined, you don't have to choose between them. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb

For those who enjoy a main course of lamb, here's a quick and delicious treatment for it. The easy preparation gives me the extra time I need to focus on other menu items. —Carolyn Schmeling, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Baked Cranberry Pudding

This is an old-fashioned pudding that's a cranberry lover's delight. Serve warm topped with whipped cream for an elegant look, or in bowls with rich cream poured over for a homey touch. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado

Mom's Roast Beef

Everyone loves slices of this fork-tender roast beef with its savory gravy. The well-seasoned roast is Mom's specialty. People always ask about the secret ingredients. Now you have the delicious recipe for our favorite meat dish! —Linda Gaido, New Brighton, Pennsylvania

Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad

Salty pretzels pair nicely with the sweet fruit in this refreshing layered salad. It’s a family favorite that is a slam-dunk at potlucks. —Peggy Boyd, Northport, Alabama

Garlic-Rosemary Brussels Sprouts

This is my go-to Thanksgiving side dish. It is healthy and easy, and it doesn't take very much time or effort to make. I usually use rosemary for my turkey, so this lets me use some of the leftover herbs. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Garlic-Mashed Rutabagas & Potatoes

My family absolutely loves mashed potatoes. I created this recipe to lighten up the calories and sneak in a serving of rutabagas. If you have the time, boil the potatoes in chicken broth to add even more flavor. —Rosemary Tatum, Sterlington, Louisiana