The 12 Days of Christmas Recipes

This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my privacy policy.

The 12 days of Christmas recipes are amazingly delicious and festive! These recipes are classics for the holidays! You will have a hard time choosing which one to make first!

On the first day of Christmas the Recipe Critic brought to you….. the 12 days of Christmas! I chose 12 amazing Christmas recipes and great ideas for you this holiday season! Some of my favorites are Homemade Thin Mints, Christmas Fruit Salad, and Almond Joy Macaroons!

Classic Christmas Recipes

Christmas is the best time of year to break out the classic recipes. Cookies, punch and desserts galore! It’s not the holiday season if my counter is not overflowing with new and yummy treats! In fact, because I think that holiday food is the best, I rounded up all of my favorite recipes for the season! You can even try a new one each day to countdown to Christmas!

These tried and true recipes will ALWAYS be seen at our house! There are some sweet and savory options along with a few drinks that even the kids can enjoy! I don’t know that I have one favorite recipe for the holidays but these cookies and this roast are definitely at the top of my list. All of these recipes are easy enough for anyone to cook and bake! In fact, try baking these cookies with your kids. They will love them and have a lot of fun decorating them! Try out all of these delicious Christmas recipes and then pick your favorite. Then, you’ll have your own classic to come back to it year after year! Happy Holidays!

Italian Christmas Cookies

Italian Christmas Cookies are soft, buttery, fluffy and melt in your mouth delicious. Flavored with a hint of vanilla and a sweet glaze, these tasty treats are a perfect holiday treat. Take them to your next cookie exchange, party or just for fun occasion! 

Ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder, ricotta cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, milk, almond extract, Christmas sprinkles for topping

Make This Recipe

Christmas Punch (Cranberry Orange Punch)

This easy Christmas punch is delicious and so festive! It's the perfect punch to serve at your next gathering… It's for all ages, young and old!

Ingredients: orange juice, cranberry juice, lemon lime soda, orange slices for garnish, real cranberries for garnish

Make This Recipe

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cake

This Double Chocolate Peppermint Cake has two chocolate cake layers, white chocolate whipped cream and is finished off with crushed candy canes and chocolate shavings — this is the dessert you want to bring to the Christmas party!

Ingredients: granulated sugar, oil, vanilla, mint extract, milk, large eggs, salt, baking soda, baking powder, hot coffee or water, unsweetened cocoa powder, whole wheat flour, heavy whipping cream, white chocolate, package unflavored gelatin, cold water, powdered sugar, crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings

Make This Recipe

Roasted Cranberry Orange Pork Loin with Green Beans

Roasted Cranberry Orange Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans is such a flavorful and easy meal. The cranberry orange glaze is perfect on top of the pork and green beans. This will be the star of your holiday dinner table!

Ingredients: Smithfield Slow Roasted Golden Rotisserie Marinated Fresh Pork Tenderloin, olive oil, fresh green beans, Salt and pepper, + 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, apple cider vinegar, sweet orange marmalade, whole cranberry sauce, Optional: fresh cranberries and/or rosemary

Make This Recipe

Cranberry Apple Crisp

This Cranberry Apple Crisp have a sweet and tart fruit flavoring with a soft, buttery oat crumble overtop for the perfect combination. This is a sweet and savory dessert that will be a family favorite during the holidays! 

Ingredients: Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil, fresh cranberries, Granny Smith apples, sugar, flour, old fashioned oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, pecans, butter

Make This Recipe

Cranberry Salsa (The Best Holiday Appetizer!)

Cranberry salsa is a fresh cranberry mixture of sweet and savory that is laid over the top of cream cheese. This makes for the BEST holiday appetizer!

Ingredients: fresh cranberries, Granny Smith apple, green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, sugar, apple cider vinegar, juice of one lime, cream cheese

Make This Recipe

Gingerbread Cookies

Soft and chewy Gingerbread Cookies are my favorite Christmas treat to decorate with my kids. They’re just as delicious to eat as they are cute to look at!

Ingredients: Unsalted Butter, Dark Brown Sugar, granulated sugar, Molasses, vanilla extract, Egg, All-Purpose Flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, salt, baking powder, milk, Frosting and candy for decorating

Make This Recipe

Christmas Cornflake Wreaths

Christmas Cornflake Wreaths are a classic, beautiful wreath that is always made with love.

Ingredients: butter, mini marshmallows, green food coloring, cornflake cereal, Handful of red cinnamon candies

Make This Recipe

Gingerbread Sugar Cookie Bars

Theses soft and chewy spiced cookie bars topped with smooth cream cheese frosting is divine!

Ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, butter melted, granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, egg, vanilla extract, butter softened, cream cheese softened, powdered sugar sifted, vanilla extract, purple or navy food coloring, Sprinkles

Make This Recipe

Non Alcoholic Eggnog

If you have milk, cream, sugar and eggs, you can make this incredibly easy eggnog recipe where the eggs are cooked. This non alcoholic eggnog is a cozy holiday drink that's perfect to share with the family.

Ingredients: Eggs, Sugar, whole Milk, heavy Cream, Vanilla Extract, freshly grated Nutmeg

Make This Recipe

Grinch Cookies

Brightly colored Grinch Cookies for your holiday cookie tray!

Ingredients: unsalted butter softened, sugar, large eggs, vanilla extract, drops bright green food coloring*, all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, red and green M&Ms

Make This Recipe

Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are a combination of buttery orange infused shortbread and jam, as pleasing to look at as they are to eat. These festive treats are perfect for any holiday or special occasion.

Ingredients: unsalted butter, granulated sugar, orange zest, egg yolk, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, almond flour, kosher salt, cinnamon, jam, Powdered sugar for finishing

Make This Recipe