Feel like you've stepped into a Charles Dickens novel with these uncommon and surprisingly tasty old-fashioned Christmas recipes.
30 Nearly Forgotten Christmas Recipes
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Orange Chocolate Mousse Mirror Cake
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Plum Pudding
Perfect for holidays or special meals, this chewy plum pudding recipe is packed with sweetness and warm, inviting spices.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Hot Mushroom Spread
I’ve made this creamy, hearty mushroom appetizer for years—it’s a big hit every time.—Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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