https://wholefully.com/holiday-recipes/christmas-recipes/ Fresh Family Meals - Made for Everyday Life Thu, 14 Dec 2023 21:56:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wholefully.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/favicon-150x150.png https://wholefully.com/holiday-recipes/christmas-recipes/ 32 32 https://wholefully.com/vegan-spinach-artichoke-dip/ https://wholefully.com/vegan-spinach-artichoke-dip/#comments Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:00:29 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=49518 I have such a love/hate relationship with dairy. My tastebuds love it, but my body does not. Insert sad trombone. Because of my body’s rebellion against all things cheese, I’ve made it my life’s goal to try to make really freaking good dairy-free options of some of my favorite foods. We’ve tackled Parmesan cheese, ice cream, sour cream, coffee creamer, and even eggnog! And today, I’m showing you how I made the king of the appetizer circuit—Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip—totally dairy-free, vegan, and plant-based.

How do you make spinach artichoke dip vegan?

Regular hot spinach artichoke dip is typically made with tons of cheese (both shredded and cream cheese) and heavy cream or milk and sometimes even sour cream. But in my version, I use a garlicky, plant-based cashew cream sauce that thickens up to a gooey, creamy, can’t-believe-it’s-not-cheese dip that you’re going to love! There are two secret ingredients that give this vegan version its cheesy flavor and texture:

• Nutritional Yeast: If you’ve been around the dairy-free or vegan world for awhile, you probably have nutritional yeast (or “nooch” as some folks call it) in your pantry. This all-natural, plant-based yeast has a slightly cheesy, nutty flavor that can help add some depth of flavor to vegan cheese sauces. You can buy it online, or most major supermarkets carry it with the spices.
• Tapioca Starch: To get the thick, fatty texture of a cheese sauce without any dairy, this dip uses tapioca starch. This gluten-free, grain-free thickener is available online and at most major supermarkets with their gluten-free flours. It’s also sometimes called “Tapioca Flour.” It’s great to have on hand for grain-free recipes like pizza crusts and chocolate chip cookies.

Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/vegan-spinach-artichoke-dip/feed/ 2 https://wholefully.com/awesome-cheese-board-minutes/ https://wholefully.com/awesome-cheese-board-minutes/#comments Tue, 12 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=28393 Cheese boards are always crowd-pleasers! Learn how to make a cheese board in just a few minutes with our no-fuss tutorial.

Cheese boards are my JAM for holiday entertaining. They are delicious. They are impressive. And they are crazy easy to put together. I'm a big fan of dishes that have a high oooh-and-ahhh to elbow grease ratio. And cheese boards are the epitome of a great return on investment. They take just a few minutes to put together, and man, do they ever look sharp. So much so, that when you bring one out, more often than not, one of your guests will say, "Oh, you didn't have to go to that much hassle for me!" To which you will then laugh and tell them it took you like three seconds to put together. Or you'll let them continue to feel impressed. Depending on how much you like your houseguest. Now, there are a lot of cheese board ideas out there. So let me tell you why mine is different—it isn't ridiculous. Some of the cheese boards you see that are making the rounds on Instagram have hundreds of dollars worth of ingredients put into them, tons of food styling time, and so many moving parts, it seems almost impossible to wrap your brain around. That isn't my cheese board. I'm so not that kind of girl. Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/awesome-cheese-board-minutes/feed/ 38 https://wholefully.com/crockpot-hot-chocolate/ https://wholefully.com/crockpot-hot-chocolate/#respond Mon, 11 Dec 2023 07:44:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=76488 If you’re craving chocolate on a cold winter’s day, try this creamy crockpot hot chocolate recipe! It’s a quick, easy recipe, perfect for a chilly night.

Winter is the season of warmth and comfort, and what better way to embrace it than with a steaming mug of creamy, velvety hot chocolate? Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or simply want to treat your family to a cozy evening in, look no further than crockpot hot chocolate. This slow-cooked delight is not only a breeze to prepare but also guarantees a creamy, dreamy cup every time. Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/crockpot-hot-chocolate/feed/ 0 https://wholefully.com/fried-goat-cheese/ https://wholefully.com/fried-goat-cheese/#respond Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:45:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=76446 Crispy exterior, creamy interior—fried goat cheese delights with a perfect blend of textures and a rich, tangy flavor.

Do you ever crave that perfect combination of crispy and creamy? Look no further than fried goat cheese balls, a delightful dish that brings together the rich, tangy flavor of goat cheese with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior. Fried goat cheese balls have the ability to elevate any occasion. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, a game night, or just treating yourself to a culinary adventure at home, these little morsels are sure to steal the spotlight. Their bite-sized nature also makes them a fantastic addition to grazing boards, bringing a touch of gourmet flair to casual gatherings. Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/fried-goat-cheese/feed/ 0 https://wholefully.com/perfect-frosted-sugar-cookies/ https://wholefully.com/perfect-frosted-sugar-cookies/#comments Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:00:55 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=53888 These Easy Rolled Sugar Cookies with Icing bake up beautifully every time, with a soft, tender texture that doesn’t crumble. They're cut-out cookies without all the fuss! I know there are a lot of sugar cookie recipes floating around out there. And I know you probably have a tried-and-true sugar cookie recipe passed down from your great-great-grandma. But I'm telling you, you can throw those all in the recycling, because this is the perfect sugar cookie recipe for cutouts. I've been using this recipe for years, and it has never, ever failed me—and since I originally shared it years ago, you guys have been telling me that you come back to it again and again, too! That's because it's a total no-fail rolled sugar cookie recipe. This recipe results in soft, tender, fluffy cookies that don't spread in the oven—making them absolutely perfect for cut-out sugar cookies. And the cookies have the most beautiful mild vanilla flavor! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/perfect-frosted-sugar-cookies/feed/ 27 https://wholefully.com/jingle-juice-christmas-punch-recipe/ https://wholefully.com/jingle-juice-christmas-punch-recipe/#respond Tue, 05 Dec 2023 11:00:24 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=53758 Dust off your punch bowl and whip up a batch of Jingle Juice! This simple Christmas punch is a hit at any holiday party. Just don't be fooled by it's sweet flavor and festive bubbles, this punch certainly packs a punch! I adore a good hot cocktail—especially around the holidays—but when it comes to a raucous Christmas party packed with folks rocking around the Christmas tree? Hand me a cup of something cool, frosty, and refreshing so I can keep partying without breaking a sweat! Our Jingle Juice is the perfect Christmas punch to serve at any holiday party. It's cool, sweet, bubbly, and it's beautifully festive in a punch bowl or drink dispenser. And maybe the best part about Jingle Juice is just how incredibly simple it is to make! Just pour together a few ingredients, give it a swirl, and—TADA!—you've made a drink that'll be the talk of Christmas! Let me show you how.

What’s in this Christmas punch?

The base of this jingle juice is moscato and cranberry juice for a sparkly, festive red punch. You’ll need:

• Chilled cranberry juice to give this Christmas cocktail its red color and a sweet-tart flavor.
• Chilled moscato to give your punch a nice amount of bubbles! We recommend red moscato, but white or pink will work too.
• Cointreau or Triple Sec for a bright citrus flavor.
• Vodka to add a little bit of a boozy boost to the Christmas punch.
• Sparkling apple cider or grape juice for even more bubbly and some sweetness to balance out the cranberry juice.
• Frozen cranberries not only look beautiful, but help chill the punch as well.
• Limes and fresh mint leaves add a festive pop of green color and a brightness in flavor.

Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/jingle-juice-christmas-punch-recipe/feed/ 0 https://wholefully.com/christmas-recipe-3-cinnamon-rolls-with-mocha-maple-icing/ https://wholefully.com/christmas-recipe-3-cinnamon-rolls-with-mocha-maple-icing/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:46:00 +0000 https://backtoherroots.com/?p=3123 Ooey, gooey cinnamon rolls are comfort food at their finest! Our no-fail recipe and tutorial makes homemade cinnamon buns easy for even a novice baker.

Get ready for a cinnamon-scented hug in the form of our very best cinnamon roll recipe! These gooey delights have been tested at dozens of family holidays to rave reviews. Best of all? They are a piece of cake to whip up thanks to our overnight rise—yes, even if you've never worked with yeast before. We've got your back every step of the way. Since you can easily make these cinnamon buns ahead of time (in fact, we recommend it with our overnight cinnamon rolls option), these make for an excellent holiday or special occasion breakfast! So, tie on your apron, grab a rolling pin, and let's roll into the world of irresistibly easy homemade cinnamon rolls that'll make you a baking hero in no time! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/christmas-recipe-3-cinnamon-rolls-with-mocha-maple-icing/feed/ 3 https://wholefully.com/buckeyes-recipe/ https://wholefully.com/buckeyes-recipe/#respond Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:00:15 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=53687 Buckeye balls are a classic Midwestern candy for a reason—they're a breeze to make, and they taste like peanut butter and chocolate heaven!

A lot of the hubbub that goes along with Christmas can be really time-consuming. Shopping and wrapping can take forever. Cooking that special holiday meal can require a full day (or two!) of effort. But here is one Christmas to-do that won’t suck away your entire afternoon—making Buckeye Balls! These super simple, chocolate peanut butter candies are a classic here in the Midwest because they are stupendously easy (and fast) to make. Plus, they are absolutely delicious! This is my family recipe for buckeyes, and I know you’re going to love them just as much as we do. Let’s get cooking! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/buckeyes-recipe/feed/ 0 https://wholefully.com/mint-chocolate-chip-nanaimo-bars/ https://wholefully.com/mint-chocolate-chip-nanaimo-bars/#comments Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:08:00 +0000 http://backtoherroots.com/?p=10326 These no-bake mint chocolate bars are a delightful holiday treat inspired by a classic Canadian dessert. These rich bars are perfect for satisfying a holiday sweet tooth.

Prepare to delight your taste buds with a twist on the classic Canadian Nanaimo bars – the irresistible, no-bake mint chocolate bars! Inspired by the beloved Nanaimo bars, these treats take the rich and creamy layers of the original but infuse them with a delightful minty freshness. If you're a fan of mint and chocolate, you're in for a real treat. Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/mint-chocolate-chip-nanaimo-bars/feed/ 25 https://wholefully.com/roast-beef-recipe/ https://wholefully.com/roast-beef-recipe/#respond Mon, 27 Nov 2023 07:02:00 +0000 https://wholefully.com/?p=76326 Cooking tender, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef is easier than you think! This delectable dish is great for holidays, and it takes just a few minutes to prepare.

Get ready to spread holiday cheer with a mouthwatering roast beef recipe that's perfect for Christmas dinner or any other festive occasion. This tender roast beef is surprisingly simple to prepare (less than 10 minutes of active prep time!), and the results are sure to impress your guests. Our easy-to-follow instructions will help you create this show-stopping centerpiece for your holiday celebration. Let's get cooking! Read the post »]]> https://wholefully.com/roast-beef-recipe/feed/ 0