Epicurious

Traditional pâte à choux—cream-puff pastry—gives these addictive cheese puffs their light and airy consistency. The recipe calls for Gruyère and crushed dill seeds, but experiment with different cheeses and seasonings to create your own signature appetizer. The gougères can be made ahead and frozen for up to a week. Simply reheat and serve warm, paired with a flute—or two—of Champagne.

Skip the side salad and serve these greens with a hot cup of tomato soup for an easy, comforting winter dinner. If meat is a must, add some fried bacon or prosciutto for a heartier bite.

An airy dessert, this creamy semifreddo can stand alone on the dessert platter or top a cake as a dreamy icing. Using whipped raw egg whites (be sure they are from very fresh eggs) adds lift to this easy dessert, and slowly folding the meringue into the cream gives it a light texture. Save time by freezing it the day before, and sprinkle some cracked pistachios on top for a crunch.

These super-simple, kid-pleasing treats are delicious any time of year, but make for an especially festive dessert at a winter wonderland–themed get-together. Best of all, the recipe calls for just four ingredients: vanilla ice cream, peppermint extract, peppermint hard candies, and chocolate wafers. Try strawberry, mint, or chocolate chip ice cream for a sweet twist.

These yeast rolls are the creation of legendary chef and cookbook author Edna Lewis. The mashed potato is traditional in yeast dough and tenderizes both the rolls and contributes to their airy rise. Serve piping hot from the oven, or bake them in advance and warm before serving.

Think the BLT couldn’t get any better? This recipe pumps up the flavors of the classic sandwich with gourmet Italian ingredients like pancetta and arugula. Burrata, which means “butter” in Italian, has an exterior similar to mozzarella but with a soft center that gives it a creamy, spreadable quality. Plain mozzarella will do, but try to find this extra-special cheese, sold at specialty foods stores, Italian markets, and cheese shops. It’s worth the effort.

This variation on the classic biscotti from home cook Andrea Daly in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which first appeared in Bon Appétit, integrates almond extract and dried cranberries, packing both sweet and tart flavors into each biscuit. The inclusion of fruit gives them a characteristic chewy-crisp texture. These visually appealing treats make great holiday gifts, excellent accompaniments to tea and coffee, and lovely endings for a holiday feast.

This salad is a beautiful chorus of peas and pods. Cook all the beans in the same pot so you boil the water only once.

Homey, comforting, chocolatey goodness: that’s Mama Braun’s Christmas fudge, as captured by her daughter and Epicurious member Meridith Braun Schmalz of Ontario, Canada. As one of seven children raised on a farm in Idaho, Schmalz grew up with this fudge recipe and considers it the best there is—maybe it’s the mellow butterscotch, maybe it’s the gooey marshmallow, or maybe it’s just the dense but crumbly fudge consistency. Any way you cut it, it’s a fabulous baked gift.

This bulgur salad makes a delicious and healthy side. It travels well, too.

This dish from Epicurious member Christopher Curtis of Halifax, Canada, pairs well with Mexican, barbecue, or various fish dishes. Easy to make, the rice is infused with natural smoke from the grilled corn and peppers. Add chipotles to enhance that smokiness, or throw in some sausage, such as chorizo, for a meaty main course.

A much-loved brainchild of the legendary cookbook author Dorie Greenspan, this recipe features a dense, peanut-studded cake topped with a creamy layer of peanut butter, which is in turn topped with a thick, rich ganache. The recipe yields 30 pieces, but you can cut the brownies into even smaller squares for larger parties.

Hazelnut and chocolate have long been dessert partners, and it’s easy to see why. They bring out the best in each other, as in this mousse, from Epicurious member Derrinl. If you don’t have Frangelico, you can substitute Amaretto.

This ice cream can be made up to a week in advance, which helps free up precious prep time during the always-hectic holiday season. The lovely aroma of freshly grated nutmeg will put you, and everyone who enjoys this treat, in the holiday spirit.

The most reviewed recipe on Epicurious, this is classic birthday cake material. Using premium chocolate gives this cake subtle sweetness and a refined taste. But, if you’re on a budget, a more affordable option still gets the job done.

The perfect slice of pecan pie delivers a dollop of nutty sweetness with every bite. Our version calls for orange zest, which adds a sprightliness to this holiday staple. The pecan halves will rise to the top of the rich custard filling for an attractive display. It’s fine to use frozen crust when you need to save time, but make your own pastry for a truly delightful dessert.

Freshly husked and oven-broiled, roasted tomatillos provide a smoky warmth you just won’t find in jarred salsa. To reduce the sodium here, use half the suggested amount of salt; the flavor will pick right back up with tortilla chips. While fresh tomatillos are an end-of-summer through fall item, you can use the canned variety to whip this up; and play around with the pepper selection to personalize your dip and control the heat.

This salad is low in calories and high in fiber, so why not double the recipe? The ingredients can be assembled in jars and stored in your fridge, making it easy to pack and carry to work or the beach. Simply mix it up and serve at room temperature with a side of toasted pita chips so you can scoop up every bit of the oregano and vinegar dressing.

Add a chipotle chile for a subtle kick to this chunky guacamole, then serve it with multicolored corn tortilla chips for a stunning platter. Double the recipe if you plan to serve a crowd.