67 December Recipes to Cook Before 2023 Is Done
We’ve made it to the last month of the year, which means you may be looking to our best December recipes to prepare yourself for the winter holidays. While we always look forward to the cookies and pies we’ll bake, the latkes we’ll fry, and the elaborate feasts we’ll share with friends, not every night is a party. The rest of December, we’re just trying to make it through the shopping rush, the school choir performances, and the many inches of snow we’re bound to shovel. When life gets busiest, we’ll help you get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. When you need some comfort, may we suggest a bowl of fortifying chicken soup? Whether you have end-of-year events lined up for every weekend or you simply want to sip on a cup of hot cocoa on a cold evening, this list has you covered.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton4/67Stuffed Mushrooms
Sometimes the hors d’oeuvres are the star of a meal—and that certainly might be the case if you’re serving these Parmesan-graced, garlicky-breadcrumb-filled mushrooms. (Note: You may need to quadruple your batch.)
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Eliza Mozer6/67Rugelach
A flaky butter and cream cheese dough is spiraled up with apricot or raspberry preserves. Results? Likely the best version you’ve ever had. These make a fantastic addition to any cookie tin.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo7/67Simple Hot Cocoa for One
When the snow starts coming down and going outside seems less and less likely, snuggle up with this single-serving hot cocoa. Marshmallows are optional but highly encouraged.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne8/67Gourmet’s Best Gingerbread Cookies
If you didn’t make gingerbread cookies, was it really December? This crisp classic is the ideal vehicle for icing, sprinkles, and holiday cheer.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone9/67Our Favorite Cinnamon Rolls
Come Christmas morning, it’ll be a toss-up what your family runs to first: the presents or these cinnamon rolls.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich10/67Parker House Rolls
Photo by Peden & Munk11/67Baked Ham
Of all of our holiday ham recipes on Epicurious, this stalwart from The Joy of Cooking is the most popular every year. Sometimes you just can’t argue with a classic.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton12/67Chicken Pot Pie With Biscuit Crust
While topping this casserole with flaky pie dough or puff pastry is always an option, consider this biscuit-topped version instead. Sharp cheddar gets folded into the dough, boosting the flavor.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton13/67French 75
This simple, classic cocktail will add a burst of bright lemon and uplifting sparkle to your December get-togethers.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh14/67Mincemeat Pie
This Gourmet throwback is loaded with fruit and spices. While you cut yourself a slice, read more on the history of mince pies.
Photograph by Victoria Jane, Food Styling by Mallory Lance, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon16/67Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Photo by Linda Xiao18/67One-Pan Tartiflette With Bitter Lettuces and Pear Salad
This one-pan recipe is a bit easier than a traditional version, without sacrificing the rich flavors of melted cheese, onion, and bacon. Add bitter lettuces for balance.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton19/67Goat Cheese and Salami Stuffed Dates
Some of the best December dinners are made up of snacks, and some of the best snacks are the ones you can eat with one hand while you hold your drink in the other. These creamy goat-cheese-stuffed dates are winners all around.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert20/67Classic Whiskey Sour
Whiskey, lemon, simple syrup—and optional egg white—make this classic cocktail an easy, time-tested winner. Add a festive garnish or two for extra holiday spirit.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne22/67Roasted Carrots and Parsnips With Honey
A splash of balsamic vinegar is the perfect finishing touch on these honey-glazed charred root vegetables.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne24/67Spritz Cookies
Get your cookie press ready. Once you use this recipe, which includes cornstarch for an easier-to-handle dough, you’ll never go back.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell25/67Leg of Lamb With Garlic and Rosemary
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton26/67Basic Tamal Dough
Here’s the dough you need for making tamales. And here’s the tamale-making guide you need before you get started.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews27/67Crisp Roast Duck
This recipe for crispy roast duck is bound to become your new holiday tradition. Strain and reserve the rendered fat left in the pan for another use, like in this stunning potato galette.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton28/67Classic Eggnog
Go all out this year and make a batch of Gourmet’s favorite eggnog. This cocktail for a crowd is guaranteed to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne29/67Classic Sugar Cookies
We love to make boldly flavored molasses cookies, chewy pistachio cookies, and cookies you can throw your whole pantry at, but sometimes you just need a simple sugar cookie recipe. Here’s a classic one from Gourmet; because there’s no baking powder or baking soda, these cookies won’t spread in the oven.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova31/67Flourless Chocolate Cake
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog32/67Christmas Pork Tenderloin
Rubbed with garlic, rosemary, and allspice, this bacon-wrapped roast is rich with holiday flavor. The impressive but quick-cooking recipe (prep time is 25 minutes!) can easily be halved to serve a smaller crowd.
Photo by David Loftus36/67Bombay Rolls
Puff pastry always feels impressive—even when it’s very little work, as long as you start with the frozen stuff. While we have a whole collection of puff pastry recipes, this might be our very favorite.
Photo by Sophie Hansen37/67Caramelized Fennel and Brie Dip
Caramelized fennel, golden Brie, and fragrant thyme mingle in this showstopping appetizer. Light the fire, break out the bread, and Brie-ng on the dip. (Sorry, we had to.)
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell39/67Dry Martini
A crisp gin martini is our favorite partner for shrimp cocktail and other festive bites. Garnishing with an olive or lemon twist is the standard, but a pickled cocktail onion is welcome at this party, too, though technically that makes it a Gibson.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Zoe Denenberg & Mira Evnine40/67Vanilla Meringue Cookies
These simple sweet meringues offer the perfect opportunity to practice your piping skills. If you mess up, pick up the meringue with an offset spatula, add it back to your pastry bag, and go again.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Sean Dooley42/67Hasselback Potatoes
Turn simple spuds into crisp, cheesy baked accordions using a tool you probably already have in your utensil drawer.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson43/67The Simplest Roast Turkey
Turkey shouldn’t only make an appearance on your table during the month of November. Take advantage of the abundance of birds at the grocery store and roast another, either for a holiday centerpiece or just to make all the great dishes using leftover turkey.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele45/67Classic Champurrado
Made using melted chocolate and masa harina, this hot drink has a rich texture that you won’t find elsewhere.
Photo by Mark Weinberg47/67Shortbread Cookies Four Ways
One method, four ways to enjoy crumbly, tender shortbread cookies from baking maven Dorie Greenspan.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano and Stevie Stewart48/67Chocolate Swiss Roll
When you need an awe-inducing dessert this December, make this rolled cake following our simple guide. You can bake and assemble it the day of or a few days in advance, whichever suits your schedule.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich49/67Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower
Roasting vegetables is by far one of the best ways to impart lots of flavor without doing much work at all, aside from preheating the oven.
Melanie Acevedo50/67Parker House Rolls
It’s hard to imagine anything better than plump freshly baked rolls. These would be excellent on their own with a thick pat of butter, but we recommend dragging them through a pool of gravy or building mini ham sandwiches with them.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi51/67Classic Pecan Pie
This recipe is one of our favorite ways to fill a pie plate—and please a holiday crowd.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Judy Haubert52/67Pink Squirrel
We're always in favor of an after dinner cocktail. The Pink Squirrel is a low-ABV drink that’s just sweet enough to call dessert.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews54/67Chocolate Mousse
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh55/67Twice-Baked Potatoes With Cheddar and Garlic
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne56/67Easy Vegan Mac and Cheese
The sauce for this vegan macaroni and cheese comes together in a blender all while the pasta boils, making it a weeknight dinner that can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich58/67Lemon Curd
This lemon curd recipe uses equal quantities of fresh lemon juice and sugar, so that it’s bright and tart. Got your hands on other winter fruits? Read our guide to curd beyond lemon.
Photo by Sarah Kieffer59/67Triple Chocolate Peppermint Bark
If you’re considering making candies to give away this holiday season, start with this stunning, flavorful peppermint bark.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Mira Evnine60/67Dauphinoise Potatoes
What’s not to love about a cheesy, creamy side dish with thin layers of potato baked under a blanket of bubbly brown Gruyère cheese? Make this recipe or any of our other favorite gratins this winter.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne61/67Nanaimo Bars
A classic Canadian sweet, Nanaimo bars are excellent any time of year. But in December, we do recommend sprinkling some crushed candy canes or colorful sprinkles on top.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell62/67Strawberry Sufganiyot
Read our Hanukkah frying guide to dial in your technique before you make these jelly doughnuts.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Katherine Lough63/67Ponche a Crème
This traditional Trinidadian cocktail sings with the island’s most beloved ingredients and flavors. White rum meets citrus, spice, and creamy dairy, with a flurry of nutmeg on top for aroma.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Samantha Seneviratne & Jason Schreiber64/67Peanut Butter Blossoms, but Better
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton66/67Rumtopf
Rumtopf is a traditional German tipple that you build over the course of the entire harvest season. Once you’ve got it, serve the boozy compote over cake or ice cream.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Kim67/67Mid-Century Modern Cookie House
To wrap up this list of our best December recipes, we present a modern (midcentury modern!) spin on the classic gingerbread house. With a cardamom cookie dough foundation, this one’s a festive project that’ll keep you busy on stormy days.
