10 Best Christmas Dinner Recipes
From juicy roasts to creamy sides and festive desserts, these Christmas recipes make planning your holiday menu easy.
Mix and match these mains, sides, and desserts to build your perfect Christmas dinner menu. They’re inspired by classic roast beef, turkey, ham, potatoes, and show-stopping sweets that appear again and again on holiday roundups.
1. Herb-Crusted Prime Rib
Prime rib is one of the most popular centerpieces on Christmas tables, often rubbed with garlic, rosemary, and thyme, then roasted until perfectly pink inside.
- Why it’s great: Feels luxurious, feeds a crowd, and pairs perfectly with potatoes and rich sauces.
- Serve with: Yorkshire puddings, creamy horseradish, and roasted vegetables.
2. Glazed Christmas Ham
Glazed ham, often baked with honey, brown sugar, or fruit and spices, is a classic alternative to turkey and appears in many “best Christmas main” lists.
- Why it’s great: Easy to carve, beautiful on the table, and perfect for leftovers and sandwiches.
- Serve with: Scalloped or roasted potatoes, green beans, and rolls.
3. Roast Turkey with Gravy
Golden roast turkey with pan gravy remains a go-to centerpiece and appears in most Christmas dinner collections alongside stuffing and cranberry sauce.
- Why it’s great: Traditional, festive, and stretches easily for large gatherings.
- Serve with: Stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and buttery rolls.
4. Creamiest Mashed Potatoes
Ultra-creamy mashed potatoes loaded with butter and cream are a staple side highlighted in many Christmas menu guides and “Ultimate Christmas Dinner” tutorials.
- Why it’s great: Comforting, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for soaking up gravy and sauces.
- Serve with: Any roast—turkey, beef, or ham.
5. Crispy Roast Potatoes
Roast potatoes with crunchy edges and fluffy centers are often called out by chefs as a must-have Christmas side, especially in British-style menus.
- Why it’s great: An easy crowd-pleaser that pairs with any main and adds texture to the plate.
- Serve with: Roast beef, lamb, or turkey plus a rich gravy.
6. Green Bean Bundles or Casserole
Green beans show up as bacon-wrapped bundles or creamy casserole-style sides in many Christmas lineups and video menus.
- Why it’s great: Adds a green element and balances heavier mains and potatoes.
- Serve with: Any roast, especially ham or turkey.
7. Baked Mac and Cheese / Potato Bake
Rich, cheesy baked mac and cheese or creamy potato gratin often feature in “super easy Christmas menu” guides as comforting starch sides.
- Why it’s great: Crowd-pleasing, cheesy, and a favorite with kids and adults.
- Serve with: Beef, ham, or turkey for a complete comfort-food plate.
8. Festive Christmas Salad
Holiday salads often feature greens with bright toppings like pomegranate, citrus, nuts, or cheese and appear as “quick Christmas salad” options in video menus.
- Why it’s great: Adds color, freshness, and acidity to cut through richer dishes.
- Serve with: Any main; great starter or side. [web:336]
9. Yule Log or Christmas Cake
Chocolate Yule logs and traditional Christmas cakes are iconic desserts that appear in many top holiday dessert roundups and chef compilations.
- Why it’s great: Visually impressive, make-ahead friendly, and a festive way to end the meal.
- Serve with: Whipped cream, custard, or ice cream.
10. Christmas Cookies & Peppermint Desserts
Sugar cookies, gingerbread, and peppermint-themed desserts like cheesecakes or bark feature heavily in Christmas dessert collections.
- Why it’s great: Easy to share, kid-friendly, and perfect for cookie trays and gifts.
- Serve with: Coffee, hot chocolate, or eggnog.
Watch: Easy Christmas Dinner From Start to Finish
This Allrecipes video walks through a complete Christmas dinner, including creamy potatoes, an impressive beef tenderloin, green bean bundles, salad, and dessert ideas—great visual support for the recipes listed above.
10 Best Christmas Dessert Ideas
From classic yule logs and trifles to modern cheesecakes and cookies, these Christmas desserts are perfect for your holiday table.
These dessert ideas draw from classic Christmas lists: think Yule log, trifles, cheesecakes, sticky puddings, festive cookies, and peppermint treats that show up over and over in top holiday roundups.
1. Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)
A rolled chocolate sponge cake filled with cream and covered in chocolate ganache, styled to look like a log, is one of the most iconic Christmas desserts in Europe and beyond.
- Why it’s great: Showstopping centerpiece that can be made ahead and decorated with “snow,” berries, and rosemary.
- Flavors: Classic chocolate, or twists like mulled wine or salted caramel.
2. Classic Christmas Trifle
Layered trifles with sponge cake, custard, fruit, and cream are highlighted in many Christmas dessert collections as a great way to feed a crowd.
- Why it’s great: Easy to customize, looks beautiful in a glass bowl, and can be assembled in advance.
- Variations: Berry trifle, chocolate trifle, panettone trifle, or gingerbread trifle.
3. Sticky Toffee or Festive Bread Pudding
Warm puddings—especially sticky toffee and cranberry-studded bread pudding—appear as cozy dessert ideas in modern Christmas lists.
- Why it’s great: Comforting, uses day-old bread or dates, and pairs beautifully with ice cream or custard.
- Festive twist: Add cranberries, orange zest, or spiced butterscotch sauce.
4. Candy Cane or Peppermint Pie
Whipped, no-bake peppermint pies are trending in Christmas dessert roundups, often made with a cookie crust and candy cane topping.
- Why it’s great: No-bake and easy, with nostalgic peppermint flavor that screams Christmas.
- Serve with: Extra whipped cream and crushed candy canes for crunch.
5. Gingerbread Cookies & Houses
Gingerbread men, intricate cookies, and build-your-own houses are some of the most beloved traditional Christmas bakes worldwide.
- Why it’s great: Doubles as a family activity and dessert; spices make it distinctly festive.
- Serve with: Royal icing decorations and hot cocoa.
6. Christmas Cheesecake
Cheesecakes—especially flavored with peppermint, cranberry, or chocolate—feature prominently in updated Christmas dessert lists.
- Why it’s great: Feels special-occasion and can be baked ahead and chilled.
- Ideas: Candy cane cheesecake, cranberry swirl, or gingerbread crust.
7. Christmas Cookies Platter
Mixed cookie trays—sugar cookies, thumbprints, spritz, shortbread—are staples in “easy Christmas desserts for a crowd” articles.
- Why it’s great: Perfect for parties, gifts, and cookie exchanges; lets you showcase several recipes at once.
- Tip: Mix textures: chewy, crisp, nutty, and chocolatey.
8. Peppermint Bark & Fudge
Simple tray candies like chocolate peppermint bark and two-ingredient fudge are popular in video compilations and easy dessert lists.
- Why it’s great: Minimal ingredients, no special equipment, and easy to package for gifts.
- Flavors: Dark chocolate + peppermint, or white chocolate swirl.
9. Fruit & Nut or Panettone-Inspired Cake
Fruit-and-nut loaves and cakes inspired by panettone or festive breads are recommended as modern alternatives to dense traditional fruitcake.
- Why it’s great: Feels traditional but lighter, with dried fruit, nuts, and warm spices.
- Serve with: Tea, coffee, or a drizzle of orange glaze.
10. No-Bake Tiramisu or Holiday Parfaits
No-bake tiramisu-style desserts and parfaits are often suggested as easier, elegant options for holiday entertaining.
- Why it’s great: Can be portioned in glasses, requires no oven, and feels sophisticated.
- Holiday twist: Use panettone, gingerbread, or spiced cookies instead of ladyfingers.
Watch: Christmas Dessert Recipe Compilation
This Well Done compilation covers 16 Christmas desserts—including peppermint bark, poke cakes, macaroons, brownies, and more—so you can visually follow along while choosing from the ideas above.
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