Inspire Festive Recipes for Christmas 2018

The holiday season is the busiest time of the year. You buy presents, bake Christmas cookies, sing carols, decorate gingerbread houses, and spend time with family and friends. Along the way, your social calendar quickly fills up with parties and family gatherings.

At these gatherings, you're usually required to bring a special treat. Sometimes, it can be difficult to decide what you should prepare, especially if you're hosting your own party. Luckily, I have five suggestions for easy, creative recipes for this holiday season. 

Be inspired to try these delicious, sweet, and savory recipes. 

1. Cinnamon Rolls 

Cinnamon rolls (photo/Kasy Long)

In our family, it's always a tradition to devour warm, sweet cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning after opening our presents. It's a nice treat before the large Christmas dinner. Well, these cinnamon rolls are the best I have ever had the pleasure of eating. They're not too overpowering with the sweet flavors, which I enjoy. 

I have to credit the Griffiths Family Recipes cookbook for inspiring this recipe. Thank you for allowing me into your kitchen this holiday season. 

To make these delicious cinnamon rolls, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 3 tablespoons yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup warm water
• 10 cups flour 
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups warm water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1 cup brown sugar

NOTE: Cut the recipe ingredients in half to make fewer cinnamon rolls. 

Cinnamon rolls (photo/Kasy Long)

In a small bowl, mix the yeast with one tablespoon sugar and one cup warm water. Stir until dissolved. Let the mixture rise until it's doubled (about 10 minutes). While you wait, add the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, and three cups of warm water into a large mixing bowl. In the center of the flour, pour the yeast mixture and add the oil and an additional three cups of warm water. Mix together and use your hands to get the dough off the sides of the bowl. 

Let the dough rest for 15 minutes and then knead the dough until the texture is consistent and smooth throughout. Then, allow the dough to rise in a warm area for about an hour. When the dough has doubled in size, punch it down. Knead it again and allow the dough to rise once again. 

Once the dough has doubled for a second time, punch it down. Cut the dough in half, working with one half at a time. Pour a small amount of vegetable oil onto your kitchen counter (or breadboard). Roll the dough out evenly to a little less than 1/2-inch thick. Spread butter across the entire surface. Sprinkle the dough with sugar, cinnamon, and a generous amount of brown sugar. 

Roll the dough into a long log. Cut the log into individual sections. Place the individual rolls onto a baking sheet. Repeat the process for the second half of the dough. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 20 minutes. 

To make the cream cheese frosting, cream together eight ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup butter. Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 cups of powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Drizzle the frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls. Enjoy!

Cinnamon rolls (photo/Kasy Long)

2. Christmas Tree Veggie Platter 

Christmas tree veggie platter (photo/Kasy Long).

This is probably the most creative treat on the list. Who wouldn't love a veggie platter arranged to resemble a Christmas tree? The broccoli and tomatoes make up the "tree" while the pretzels make up the "trunk." The cauliflower make up the "snow" while the yellow bell pepper makes up the "star" at the top of the tree. 

This is a pretty standard recipe, but it'll be an easy treat for a holiday party. To prepare this quick dish, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 14 small tomatoes 
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips 
• 1 1/2 cups cauliflower florets
• 3/4 oz (about 40) pretzel sticks 
• 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 16 oz. sour cream
• 1 packet Ranch mix 

Rinse and thoroughly dry the vegetables. Trim the broccoli and cauliflower floret stems. Then, arrange the broccoli on the serving platter to form a tree shape, adding the small tomatoes to form the garland. Next, arrange the yellow bell pepper strips to form the star and add the cauliflower to form snow. Arrange the pretzel sticks at the bottom of the tree to form the trunk. 

In a small bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese and Ranch mix. Then, add the sour cream and mix the dip ingredients together. 

Serve the veggie platter with the dip. Enjoy! 

Ginch sherbert punch (photo/Kasy Long).

3. Grinch Punch 

This is the easiest recipe on the list, but it's perfect for the holiday season. Of course, you can prepare this punch for basically any social gathering, but it's especially appropriate for this time of the year. This punch is sweet but has a slight bit of tangy taste at the same time. 

To prepare this basic recipe, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 2 liters of Sprite 
• 1 quart green sherbert ice cream, softened 

Yes, that's it! That's all you need. Pour the Sprite into a large punch bowl. Then, add the green sherbert ice cream. Mix until the ingredients are well combined. Serve in your favorite punch glasses. Enjoy! 

4. Cheese Ball 

Cheese ball (photo/Kasy Long)

Is there anything better than cheese ball at a holiday party? You can serve this snack at a Christmas party or when your friends are watching the ball drop at a New Year's Eve party. Either occasion calls for quick, easy-to-prepare snacks your friends can munch on while they talk and mingle. 

I have to credit the Griffiths Family Recipes cookbook, once again, for the inspiration for this recipe. Thank you for inviting me into your kitchen, and for sharing your wonderful, heartwarming stories. 

To prepare this easy cheeseball recipe, you will need the following ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup butter
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1 package of cheese of your choice (I used shredded cheddar cheese. Feel free to use whichever flavor of cheese you prefer!)
• Chopped nuts of your choice (I used pecans.) 

Mix the ingredients together, except for the nuts. Form the cheese spread into a ball. Roll the cheese ball in the chopped nuts. Serve with your favorite crackers. Enjoy! 

5. Popcorn Balls 

Popcorn balls (photo/Kasy Long)

Can you really have a holiday food blog without a dessert option? Of course not! These sweet, savory popcorn balls will be the highlight of your holiday party--for all the right reasons. They're easy to prepare, but here's a warning: It's a little messy. 

To prepare these festive red and green popcorn balls, you will need the following ingredients: 

• Microwave popcorn (Use your favorite brand.) 
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 24 large marshmallows
• Red and green food coloring 

Cook the popcorn in the microwave, according to the packaging's directions. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until well combined. Remove from the heat. Separate the marshmallow cream into two separate bowls. 

Then, add the red and green food coloring to the two separate bowls. Pour over the popcorn and stir until evenly coated. Finally, wet your hands and form the popcorn into balls. This will be messy, but it's worth it with this delicious, sweet, and savory dessert. Enjoy!

Popcorn balls (photo/Kasy Long)

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There are plenty of options for festive dishes to prepare during the holidays. These are just five suggestions and are some of my favorites to serve at parties with friends and family. I like to offer plenty of options and these dishes are suitable for just about everyone. 

If you want to be healthy, try the veggie platter. If you want to make an easy recipe, try the Grinch sherbert punch or the cheeseball. Or, if you prefer something sweet and savory, try the popcorn balls as a dessert option. Finally, if you want something comforting and sweet to have on Christmas morning, the cinnamon rolls are the perfect breakfast option to satisfy all of your hunger desires. 

Prepare the recipes that you love this holiday season. If you happen to try these five dishes, share your pictures with me on social media, either on Facebook (@kjlsdiary), on Twitter (@kjlwriter), or on Instagram (@kjlsdiary). Be inspired to try something new and share it with your family and friends. 

Happy holidays! 

-KJL-