52 Vintage Christmas Dishes Worth Trying Today

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

A handful of simple ingredients that go together in minutes, three fun flavorful options…these creamy cheese balls from our Test Kitchen are a darling, do-ahead delight for busy holiday hostesses! Why not whip up several batches? —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

There’s a nice chocolaty surprise inside these sweet kisses. They’re my husband’s top choice each Christmas.—Tami Henke, Lockport, Illinois

I make these handheld pies in advance, keep them in the freezer, then bake them the day of the party. They are always a hit at tailgate and potlucks. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California

I always make this bread pudding recipe for my dad on his birthday and on holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding with nutmeg he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, Missouri

These light, airy morsels are twice as nice with two meringue cookies and velvety ganache in between. —Donna Pochoday-Stelmach, Morristown, New Jersey

Sausage and sage add a gourmet taste to this stuffing. It’s perfect for large family gatherings, but you can also save some for later. —Lorraine Brauckhoff, Zolfo Springs, Florida

I use this recipe for special occasions with my wonderful family and friends. They’re so easy to make and pack a festive rum punch. — Diane Duschanek, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Pull out the punchbowl for this rosy thirst-quencher that dazzles at Christmas parties. This fun prep-ahead beverage makes any occasion a bit more special. It’s delicious with apricot gelatin, too. —Margaret Matson, Metamora, Illinois

You don’t need much seasoning to add flavor to this beef tenderloin recipe. The mild blending of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington

These whipped shortbread christmas cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I’ll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and ladies’ teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta

This amber drink is a champagne twist on the traditional old-fashioned. Try it with extra-dry champagne. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I like this quick and easy recipe because it doesn’t require a candy thermometer. It also makes a wonderful gift for nut lovers on your list. —Rhonda Glenn, Prince Frederick, Maryland

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 log with marzipan holly leaves and berries. —Jenny Hughson, Mitchell, Nebraska

This recipe is one of my family’s favorites. The ham chowder is chock-full of potatoes, ham and carrots. I like to make this comforting ham potato corn chowder at least once or twice a month during the fall and winter. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska

You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. It’s smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy winter days. —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, IN

Your holiday turkey will never turn out dry again if you reach for this recipe. Brining overnight and stuffing with apples results in moist, tender meat.—Michael Williams, Moreno Valley, California

I adapted a family recipe to come up with these melt-in-your-mouth caramels. My husband and daughter eagerly volunteer to eat any scraps from the pan! —Kelly-Ann Gibbons, Prince George, British Columbia

I added pecans and candied fruits to an apple cake recipe for my Texan take on traditional English fruitcake. —Daisy Corene McHorse, San Saba, Texas

The aroma of simmering chutney signals the start of the holidays and sets the mood for my seasonal baking. Try it as an appetizer along with cream cheese and graham crackers. —Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas

You’ll want to heat this traditional beverage before company arrives. Your home will have the scent of Christmas! —Lana Gryga, Glen Flora, Wisconsin

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your holiday dinner table, we suggest these Cornish game hens topped with a sweet apricot glaze. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My family has passed down this elegant dessert generation by generation. It started with my Russian great-grandmother, who traveled to America more than 100 years ago. I love continuing the tradition with her recipe. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida

I was making cranberry bread one day and wanted to try something a little different. I found a jar of apricot jam in the refrigerator and decided to spoon the jam into the center of the bread. It looked lumpy, so I took a knife and cut the jam into the bread. The end result was delicious. —Diane Roth, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

It’s hard to resist these adorable deviled trees on our buffet table. The avocado filling has pepperoncini and cilantro for extra zip. —Carmell Childs, Clawson, Utah

My mother and I tried many different types of rum cake to find the best one, and finally hit on this cake that doesn’t dry out and imparts the most flavor. For a really moist cake, brush rum over the individual sponge cakes before topping them with the filling. —Dona M. Hoffman, Addison, Illinois

Cranberry sauce and brown sugar create a tangy glaze for moist meatballs that are good as an appetizer or as a main dish over rice. We love them so much, I prepare them year-round. —Joyce Bentley, Redlands, California

I served this bread pudding at the first Christmas dinner I made for my in-laws. Everyone loved it! —Jennifer Dignin, Westerville, Ohio

Carrots slow-cooked with chutney, Dijon and ginger make a zippy side for a barbecue or potluck. We love serving these carrots with grilled chicken or beef roast. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Nothing is better at the holidays than a delicious ham baking in the oven. The preserves mixture will be sure to please all of your guests.—American Dairy Assoc, Stacy Duffy, Chicago, Illinois

No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread man cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I’m happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

My great-aunt made an incredible sweet potato casserole for our holiday dinners. I’ve lightened it up a bit, but we love it just the same. —Beth Britton, Fairlawn, Ohio

We like a touch of rum for the holidays, and this orangey rum cake is decadent alone or with big swoops of whipped cream. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Mashed parsnips and potatoes spread over a savory mixture of lamb and fresh herbs make this dish extra special. The recipe comes from the Scotch-Irish who put down roots in this area long ago. —Tina Price, Deep Water, West Virginia

A German holiday tradition, these fragrant cookies pack a warm rush of spices in every bite. Also called peppernuts, they go wonderfully with coffee or tea.—Joanne Nelson, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Cranberries grow in the coastal area about 50 miles from our home. When they become available, I always make this creamy salad. —Faye Huff, Longview, Washington

For an extra-special treat at Christmastime, I shape these little candies using homemade almond paste. The chocolate-coated logs have cute cherry and pecan decorations.—Margery Richmond, Fort Collins, Colorado

As family arrives for a get-together, I make sure this fruity and savory Brie is in the oven so the aromas of cinnamon and apples fill the house. —Alicia Gower, Auburn, New York

This creamy casserole is filled with tender cauliflower and topped with a sprinkling of crispy herb stuffing. It’s become a holiday classic that appeals to both kids and adults in our family. —Carol Rex, Ocala, Florida

These make-ahead mashed potatoes save me a ton of time on Christmas day. No more frantically whipping the potatoes while hungry family and guests hang around the kitchen! —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington

Crown roast makes a regal Christmas dinner. Flavored with rosemary, sage and thyme, it’s elegant and simple, a real blessing during the hectic holidays. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

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

Looking for a sweet ending to a special meal? This attractive pecan pie is bound to please with its traditional filling and honey-glazed pecans. —Cathy Hudak, Wadsworth, Ohio

The Yukon Gold potatoes my daughter shares from her garden make this soup incredible. Add some cheddar cheese and crisp croutons, and it’s just heavenly. Total comfort with the simplicity of good ingredients! —Cindi Bauer, Marshfield, Wisconsin

I came up with this recipe few years ago. The first time I served it, there wasn’t a speck of food left on the platter and I knew I had a winning recipe. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Many of our holiday traditions center around the foods my mother made while I was growing up. These cookies, which we called “Strufoli”, bring back wonderful memories. —Sue Seymour, Valatie, New York

Hearty helpings of these cheesy spuds will please hungry folks in a hurry. The rich, creamy sauce makes this recipe of my mother’s the one folks request most. The potatoes are just as delicious the next day, reheat in the microwave with a little added milk.—Debbie Carlson, San Diego, California

Try this green bean casserole and you’ll never go back to the old stuff. — Laura Fall-Sutton, Buhl, Idaho

These treats are such a snap to make, I almost feel guilty serving them. But nobody seems to mind I didn’t put in much effort—they just keep coming back for more. —Keslie Houser, Pasco, Washington

This salad pairs crunchy toppings with smooth vanilla yogurt, creating a combination you’ll love!—Kathy Armstrong, Post Falls, Idaho

My father loves lamb, so I make this dish whenever he visits. It’s the perfect main course for holidays or get-togethers. —Kristina Mitchell, Clearwater, Florida.

These rolls melt in your mouth. I loved them as a child, and I’m happy to make them for my kids because I know I am making for them the same wonderful memories my mom made for me! —Gayleen Grote, Battle View, North Dakota