by Falyn Bonacore

As the winter approaches, students and families begin to unwind and embrace the holiday season. This time of year provides the perfect opportunity to escape from reality and indulge in activities that bring about relaxation, fun, and that sense of youthfulness that seems to rekindle in us around the holidays. One of these most fulfilling activities to partake in during the holidays is cooking and baking. Recipes vary from Santa shaped sugar cookies to consoling mashed potatoes, all of which contribute to bites of delight and nights of remembrance and gathering.

The holidays wouldn’t feel complete without the rich and comforting aromas of seasonal treats filling the air. Whether you’re planning an elaborate dinner or preparing an array of sweet snacks. here are some of the top holiday recipes to make your celebrations even more special. 

1. Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

These soft, fudgy cookies are packed with rich chocolate flavor and a refreshing peppermint kick. Rolled in powdered sugar, they bake up with a crinkled top that’s both pretty and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, then stir in flour, cocoa, and peppermint extract.
3. Roll dough into balls, coat in powdered sugar, and bake for 8-10 minutes.

2. Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken

A festive twist on classic roasted chicken, this dish uses a tangy cranberry-orange glaze that adds brightness and a touch of sweetness to the savory chicken.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a saucepan, simmer cranberries, orange juice, honey, and olive oil until the cranberries burst and the glaze thickens.
3. Roast chicken breasts for 25-30 minutes, basting with the glaze during the last 10 minutes.

3. Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

These creamy mashed potatoes are enhanced with roasted garlic and an abundance of Parmesan cheese, making them the perfect side dish for any holiday meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 head garlic, roasted
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 4 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
2. Mash potatoes with roasted garlic, sour cream, Parmesan, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth.

4. Maple Glazed Ham

This ham combines savory and sweet flavors. The glaze, made with maple syrup, brown sugar, and mustard, creates a sticky, caramelized coating on the ham.

Ingredients:

• 1 bone-in ham (5-7 lbs)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F . Score the ham and place it in a roasting pan.
2. Mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves. Brush the ham with half of the glaze.
3. Bake for 2-2.5 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the remaining glaze.

5. Pecan Pie Bars

The buttery shortbread crust and sweet, nutty topping make these bars a hit at any holiday gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F Press flour, butter, and sugar into a baking pan and bake for 10 minutes.
2. Mix corn syrup, brown sugar, eggs, and pecans. Pour over the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Many of these recipes are handed down from generation to generation, becoming part of family traditions. Recipes like these carry nostalgia and create memories around the table. Whether it’s Grandma’s famous ham or Aunt Lucy’s sweet potato casserole, these dishes help us stay connected to our roots and the joy of the season. As we pass them along to the next generation, we keep those family traditions alive and find ways to cherish them.