The holiday season revolves around food. It all starts with a feast for Thanksgiving. Then, we jump right into a whole month of parties with plenty of tasty treats. That can add up to a lot of time in the kitchen. But sweet and savory party dishes don’t have to be difficult. From naturally red and green snack duos to edible Christmas tree creations, these surprisingly simple recipes are low stress and big on holiday cheer.
1. Caprese Salad Christmas Wreath
The classic tomato, basil and mozzarella combination works well for holidays thanks to its bright red and green ingredients.
Recipe: Cafe Delites
2. Christmas Tortilla Roll Ups
By filling tortillas with red and green peppers, these wraps fit right in during the festive season. They can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until it’s party time.
Recipe: The Pioneer Woman
3. Green Bean Bacon Bundles
Green beans aren’t just for Thanksgiving. Wrap them in bacon, crips them up and they’re ready for Christmas parties.
Recipe: How Sweet Eats
4. Pine Cone Cheese Ball
It only takes around a cup of toasted almonds and a few sprigs of rosemary to dress up a standard cheese ball for the holidays.
Recipe: Living Locurto
5. Ranch Snowman Cheeseball
What’s better than one cheeseball? Two of course. This adorable appetizer is doubly delicious with two ranch-flavored cheeseballs. With a tiny carrot nose and black peppercorns for eyes, mouth and buttons it is almost too cute to eat. Almost.
Recipe: Baking Beauty
6. Christmas Tree Pull Apart Bread
This cheese-stuffed tree can be made with store-bought or homemade pizza dough, depending on how ambitious you’re feeling. The herb garnish and marinara dipping sauce give it extra festive flavor.
Recipe: Eclectic Recipes
7. Joy Vegetable Platter
This platter of broccoli, tomatoes and cauliflower is as beautiful as it is healthy. Plus, it’s so easy to make even a four-year-old can help put it together.
Recipe: Clean Eats & Treats
8. Rosemary Wreath with Olives & Cheese
By arranging cubed cheese and olives in a circle atop fresh sprigs of rosemary, you can elevate hors d’oeuvres from simple to sensational. It’s also easy to switch up the types of cheese and olives to please any palate.
Recipe: Home is Where the Boat Is
9. Pigs in a Blanket Wreath
Wrapped up in flakey, buttery dough and arranged in a circle, these pigs never looked so cute. This recipe also includes cheese and bacon and a rosemary and cranberry garnish for a more grownup spin on the childhood favorite.
Recipe: Cute & Little
10. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Christmas Tree
This festive dessert is more craft project than recipe. Melted chocolate serves as the glue keeping all the strawberries attached to the cone base.
Recipe: Home Stories A to Z
11. Peppermint Fluff Dip
This quick 2-minute sweet dip is extra decadent. The main ingredients are cream cheese, marshmallow fluff and crushed candy canes. It pairs well with chocolate graham crackers or use it as a topping for a holiday cookie pizza.
Recipe: The Pinning Mama
12. Grinch Fruit Kabobs
Even the grumpiest of guests can’t help but smile when snacking on Grinch look-a-likes. These healthy skewers are just sweet enough with grapes, strawberries, bananas and a mini marshmallow topper.
Recipe: Clean & Scentsible
Bonus Buy
If you’re short on time, and who isn’t around the holidays, here are a few festive foods you can buy at the store for your next party. They’re only available around the holidays, so they are just as special as a homemade treat.