The Best 15-Minute Holiday Recipes of All Time
Updated: Nov. 30, 2022Make things easy on yourself this holiday season with these festive recipes. From appetizers to mains, desserts to drinks, you'll be able to whip up an entire spread in a flash.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
This festive dip is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, TX
For the yummiest version, these are the best cream cheese brands.
Homemade Irish Cream
Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash or two of this nonalcoholic Irish cream. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, MN
Here are our favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes.
Holiday Cornflake Cookies
I can’t seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths around the holidays. The cookies firm up quickly, so you’ll need to place the Red Hots right away. —Kathleen Hedger, Fairview Heights, IL
For more holiday joy, here are the best DIY Christmas wreath ideas.
Homemade Gelt
Giving chocolate coins to children, and sometimes teachers, for Hanukkah is a long-standing tradition. This homemade gelt recipe uses a miniature muffin pan to mold the coins into shape. The sliced almonds add a nice crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pomegranate Ginger Spritzer
Conveniently, a pitcher of this nonalcoholic beverage can be made hours before holiday guests arrive. Add the club soda just before serving. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Candy Snack Mix
Chock-full of raisins, peanuts and M&M’s, this crunchy salty-sweet mix stays fresh for weeks. I keep it on hand to serve to unexpected guests or to fill decorative containers to give as last-minute gifts. —Mary Newsom, Grand Ridge, FL
Caprese Salad Kabobs
Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs. In addition to preparing these for get-togethers, I often make them as snacks for my family. And because assembly is so easy, the kids often ask to help. —Christine Mitchell, Glendora, CA
For more veggie-based recipes, try these healthy party foods your guests will love.
Peanut Butter Snowballs
This recipe for peanut butter ball cookies is a nice change from the typical milk chocolate and peanut butter combo. It’s also an easy one for children to help with. I’ve made them for a bake sale at my granddaughter’s school and tucked them into holiday treat boxes for neighbors. These are easy peanut butter balls no baker should go without. —Wanda Regula, Birmingham, MI
This is the science behind why milk and cookies taste so darn good together.
Cranberry Orange Mimosas
Mimosas are just so elegant for Sunday brunch. My recipe uses tart cranberries to balance the sweetness of champagne and orange juice. —Shannon Stephens, Lake in the Hills, IL
Cranberry Honey Butter
If you’re traveling to a friend’s or loved one’s for the holidays, bring them something even better than a bottle of wine—this easy-to-whip-up treat! —Arisa Cupp, Sherwood, OR
Stovetop Hot Chocolate
My mom created this stovetop hot chocolate recipe to serve large groups of carolers and frozen sledders. I take it to the lounge during winter to warm their spirits! This economical recipe could easily be warmed and served in a slow cooker. Flavor extracts could be added to the hot chocolate too. —Mary Nine, Indianapolis
Honey-Lemon Asparagus
Everyone who tastes my glazed asparagus takes a second helping, so I usually double the recipe. For another option, try using a root vegetable like turnip or parsnip. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
Turkey-Cranberry Bagels
Use deli meat or take care of that leftover Thanksgiving turkey in a way your family loves. It’s good with all sorts of cranberry sauces and chutneys, so have fun playing around. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Orange Pomegranate Salad with Honey
I discovered this fragrant salad in a cooking class. If you can, try to find orange flower water (also called orange blossom water), which perks up the orange segments. But orange juice adds a nice zip too! —Carol Richardson Marty, Lynwood, WA
Tropical Candy Cane Freeze
When winter gets stormy, I try to imagine a tropical beach. This creamy beverage is frosty cold, but it warms me as if I’m in paradise. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, IA
Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie
Although it looks like you fussed, this pretty layered pie is easy to assemble with convenient canned pumpkin, store-bought candy bars and a prepared crust. “This make-ahead dessert is delicious any time of year,” reports Suzanne McKinley of Lyons, Georgia.
Marinated Mozzarella
I always come home with an empty container when I bring this dish to a party. It can be made ahead to free up time later. I serve it with pretty frilled toothpicks for a festive look. —Peggy Cairo, Kenosha, WI
Homemade Cherry Crisp
Our family loves this pretty, tasty dessert. It uses convenient pie filling, so you can make it in no time—and it takes mere minutes to heat in the microwave. —Laurie Todd, Columbus, MS
Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, FL
Breaded Sea Scallops
I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and now I love them. He says my breaded version is the best he’s ever had. A tip I learned was to put them on a paper-towel-topped plate to soak up excess oil. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, PA
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Artichoke Caprese Platter
I dressed up the classic Italian trio of mozzarella, tomatoes and basil with marinated artichokes. It looks so yummy on a pretty platter set out on a buffet. Using fresh mozzarella is the key to its great taste. —Margaret Wilson, San Bernardino, CA
Thymed Zucchini Sauté
Simple and flavorful, this recipe is a tasty and healthy way to use up all those zucchini that are taking over your garden. It’s ready in hardly any time! —Bobby Taylor, Ulster Park, NY
Honeyed Carrots with Citrus-Basil Gremolata
I love the scent of fresh basil. It’s even better when paired with fresh citrus peel! In this recipe, the carrots are sweetened with a touch of honey, then topped with a lively citrus-basil gremolata. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami
Tomato-Goat Cheese Spread
A good friend shared this recipe with me. It is super easy and so delicious. Guests will love it! It’s best served with crackers that aren’t strongly seasoned. —Linda Alexander, Madison, WI
Nutty Rice Krispie Cookies
My mom and I used to prepare these Rice Krispie cookies for Christmas every year. Making them with just the microwave means they’re super easy and fun to mix with the kids. —Savanna Chapdelaine, Orlando, FL
Cream Cheese Candies
These homemade mints make a perfect last-minute addition to holiday treat trays. Pretty much everyone in my neighborhood has this recipe now! —Katie Koziolek, Hartland, MN
Fruited Cranberry Relish
This recipe came from my aunt, who for many years invited our family to her home for Christmas dinner. I took great delight in helping myself to this relish because she always served it in one of her fancy dishes, used only on the holidays. —Ruth Collins, Blossvale, NY
Rudolph Treats
These adorable goodies are a fun treat for kids, neighbors and friends. Get the little ones involved and let them help you create a new holiday tradition. —Abigail Vandersaul, Saint Paul, MO
Apricot Fluff
When we were young mothers, I asked my best friend if she had a recipe for an easy ambrosia salad that I could take to a cookout later that evening. She shared this recipe with me, and it’s become a must-have at every barbecue I attend. It’s sublime with peaches and peach gelatin too. —Melissa Meinke, Fawn Grove, PA
Spicy Mixed Nuts
Cumin and chili powder give extra oomph to the classic homemade nut mix. It’s a smart solution for holiday snacking and gift giving. —Delores Hill, Helena, MT
White Christmas Sangria
This punch has a pleasant fruity flavor. It’s not too sweet, so everyone will enjoy it! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Zippy Curry Dip
Everyone eats their vegetables when this creamy dip is served alongside them. The curry flavor gets stronger the longer the dip stands, so I like to make it in advance. —Priscilla Steffke, Wausau, WI
Simple Macadamia Nut Fudge
My aunt now lives in Hawaii, and she keeps our family supplied with fresh pineapples, mangos and macadamia nuts—along with recipes like this one. When I run out of macadamias for candy making, I substitute pecans. Whichever nuts I use, neighbors like this fudge so much that they’ve started to call me the “Candy Lady of Cleveland.” —Vicki Fioranelli, Cleveland, MS
Spiced Cider Punch
I’ve shared this recipe with many friends. It never wears out its welcome and is so easy to make. It’s also delicious warm. —Charles Piatt, Little Rock, AR
