Update: 9/2/06

We've updated our database to provide you with more christmas recipes. Search top rated christmas recipes as well as most commented recipes. Find all your christmas recipes here! 

Thank you for visiting Christmas Recipes online-HO HO HO! Or should I say Cook Cook Cook? We are well on our way to becoming one of the largest Christmas Recipe websites on the internet! New Christmas Recipes are being added weekly, if not daily. From Christmas dinner recipes, to Christmas dessert recipes, we have you covered.

Another great feature of our christmas recipe database is the fact that many of our christmas recipes have pictures associated with the recipes. This actually allows you to see the outcome of what you are baking/cooking. If you have any tips or tricks of your own, please don't hesitate to submit them when viewing a christmas recipe.

Our Christmas recipes are sorted by the recipe type in our database for easy viewing: Christmas Cookies, Christmas Candy, Christmas Treats, Christmas Drinks, Christmas Brunch, Christmas Appetizers, Christmas Desserts, and last but not least Christmas Dinners!

Christmas Recipes: Cakes & Tarts. No.2 of 7 - Prune, Apple & Calvados Tart

by Paul Curran

Christmas recipe serves: 8
calories per serving: 685
preparation time: 30 minutes + chilling
cooking time: 50 minutes
Suitable for freezing

Christmas recipe ingredients:

* white flour, plain 175 g (6 oz)
* butter, 225 g (8oz)
* caster sugar, 124 g (4 oz)
* orange, grated rind and juice from 1
* egg yolk, 1
* prunes, no-soak pitted 225 g (8 oz)
* eating apple, 1
* calvados, 60 ml (4 tbsp)
* almonds, ground 25 g (8 oz)
* eggs, beaten 2
* almonds, slivered or flaked 25 g (1 oz)
* apricot jam, 125 g (4 oz)
* Greek yogurt or fresh cream

Christmas recipe instructions:

1. Food process grated orange rind, caster sugar (25 g, 1 oz), chilled diced butter (125 g, 4 oz). Continue until like breadcrumbs, then pour into a bowl.

2. Blend mixed egg yolk and water (30 ml, 2 tbsp) into the mixture from step 1 and form a ball. Cover and chill for about 30 minutes.

3. Pour grated apple and chopped prunes over the calvados. Mix the remaing caster sugar, beaten eggs, ground almonds with the remaining butter (melted).

4. Line a 9 inch tin (1.25 inch deep with loose base) with thin rolled pastry . Bake until set.

5. Take the almond mixture from step 3 and add the prunes and apples. Sprinkle with almonds and bake for 30 minutes at gas mark 5 (190 degrees centgrade, 375 F) or until a light brown color. Cool for about 20 minutes.

6.Sieve a mixture of melted jam and orange juice (15 ml, 1tbsp) and brush over the top of the cooked tart. Serve cold or warm with fresh cream or greek yogurt.

About the Author

(c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Gifts-for-Christmas.com, bringing you christmas recipes and unique gifts for christmas including their online home collectibles, russian gifts, cookies, jewelry.

Christmas Recipes: Cakes & Tarts. Nos. 4 of 7 - Date & Ginger Cake

 by Paul Curran

Christmas recipe makes: 16 slices
calories per serving: 210
preparation time: 20 minutes
cooking time: 60 minutes
suitable for freezing

Christmas recipe ingredients:

* oil
* dates, stoned 125 g (4 oz)
* stem ginger, in syrup 50 g (2 oz)
* bicarbonate of soda, 2.5 ml (half tsp)
* milk, 50 ml (2 fl oz)
* butter, 125 g (4 oz)
* sugar, soft brown 125 g (4 oz)
* eggs, 2
* syrup, golden 150 g (5 oz)
* treacle, black 150 g (5 oz)
* flour, plain 225 g (8 oz)
* ginger, ground 7.5 ml (1.5 tsp)
* salt

Christmas recipe instructions:

1. Take a square 9 inch cake tin, grease and line with non-stick baking paper. Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the milk and chop the stem ginger and dates into rough pieces.

2. Blend together the sugar and butter, then add the beaten eggs. Stir in the stem ginger, dates, milk, treacle and syrup.

3. Blend in a pinch of salt the ground ginger and the sifted flour. Place intoi the cake toin and bale at gas mark 2 (150 degrees centigrade, 300 F) for about 60 minutes. Another test is to put a skewer into the mixture and it should come out clean. After baking leave the cake in the tin for 1 hour, then remove fron the tin and place on a wire rack.

4. Wrap in greaseproof paper when cool.

About the Author

(c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Gifts-for-Christmas.com, bringing you christmas recipes and unique gifts for christmas including their online home collectibles, russian gifts, cookies, jewelry.

Christmas Recipes: Cakes & Tarts. No.5 of 7 - Old Mince Pies

 by Paul Curran

Christmas recipe makes: 24 pies
calories per serving: 105
preparation time: 30 minutes
cooking time: 25 minutes
suitable for freezing

Christmas recipe ingredients:

* butter, 125 g (4 oz)
* white flour, plain 225 g (8 oz)
* mincemeat, 225 g (8 oz)
* egg, lightly beaten 1
* caster sugar
* cream

Fruity Mincemeat:
* lemon, grated rind and juice from 1
* raisins/sultanas, 125 g (4 oz) of each
* currants & dried peaches (or apricots, pears),125 g (4 oz) of each
* mixed spice, 1.25 ml (quarter tsp)
* sugar, light brown 100 g (3.5 oz)
* brandy, 100 ml (4 fl oz)
* eating apples, 200 g (7 oz)
* white grapes, seedless 125 g (4 oz)

Christmas recipe instructions:

1. Mincemeat: Combine the brandy, brown sugar, mixed spice, dried fruit, and lemon rind with juice. Add cubed apple and halved grapes. Mix and keep at about 5 degrees centigrade for a minimum of a day.

2. Make a dough with water (60 ml, 4 tbsp), the butter and flour. Knead until smooth and roll out a layer of thin pastry. Cut out 48 round pieces of pastry using a cutter (5.5 cm, 2.25 inch).

3. Place some mincemeat in the middle of each and seal with another round piece wetting the edges before closing. Pierce the top for ventilation purposes.

4. Bake the mincepies until set but not browned at gas mark 6 (200 degrees centigrade, 400 F).

5. When ready, remove from the oven, brush with beaten egg white and sprinkle withg caster sugar. Bake again for an additional 10 minutes or until well browned.

6. Serve warm with cream.

About the Author

(c) Paul Curran, CEO of Cuzcom Internet Publishing Group and webmaster at Gifts-for-Christmas.com, bringing you christmas recipes and unique gifts for christmas including their online home collectibles, russian gifts, cookies, jewelry.

Planning a Christmas dinner party

by Rose Lenk

Entertaining friends and family in your home during the Christmas holiday is one of the most popular activities of the holiday season. Many people choose to host small, informal gatherings in their home, while others plan extravagant dinner parties which are destined to generate more than one urban legend in the community in which they are held.

While many of us do not aspire to such heights as those held by the socialites in our community, we would still like to host an unforgettable Christmas dinner party that will be remembered fondly among our closest friends and family for years to come.

If you are like me, and many are if they would just admit it, the thought of all of the work and skill that goes into throwing a successful dinner party leaves you a little weak in the knees and wondering how in the world you are going to pull it all off without a hitch.

But don't let the fear of juggling the tasks involved with putting on a dinner party keep you from hosting the event that your family and friends will talk about for a long time into the future. It's really not that hard if you follow a few simple steps and guidelines for putting on a successful dinner party.

Here's how to plan the perfect Christmas dinner party:

Make your list, check it twice, and invite, invite, invite. The first thing you need to do when planning a dinner party is to create your guest list. Keep in mind that not all invited will attend. So, if you want to have 50 guests at your party, you will have to invite quite a few more than that. Send out invitations no less than three weeks in advance so that people will have a chance to RSVP.

Plan to cook your own meal or plan for others to plan it for you. If you are no Betty Crocker, admit it to yourself before signing on to make a large homemade meal. Having someone cater your dinner party or ordering takeout is perfectly acceptable depending on what type of atmosphere you want to create. Remember that buffets are informal and a sit down dinner is more formal. I'm not saying that you are not capable of cooking a large meal for your guests. If you are and want to take on the work load of cooking for multiple guests, then by all means do so. Just keep in mind your limitations and time constraints. Doing so will save you a great deal of headache in the end.

Menu planning. When planning your individual dishes to serve at your Christmas dinner party, choose dishes that are both delicious and easy to make. Choose recipes that can be made ahead of time or that require just a little heating right before the party to be finished. The last thing you want to be doing during your dinner party is slaving over a hot stove sequestered away from your guests. Another important thing to remember when planning your menu is to never, ever attempt to cook a recipe for the first time. Trust me.

Take inventory. Create a list of all of the supplies that you will need to host your dinner party. Items may include tables, chairs, service pieces, cutlery, plates, candlesticks, decorations, table cloths, etc. Do not forget your food items from your menu as well. Shop and Clean till you drop. About a week before your dinner party, you should take the time to do your party shopping and give your house a thorough cleaning.

Cook and decorate. Cook and prepare as many foods as you can ahead of time, preferable the day before the party. Save the day of the party for setting up your tables and adding the finishing touches to your décor.

See, hosting a memorable Christmas dinner party is not so hard after all. In fact, I'm sure that you can do it. So, get out there and start planning, and if at any time you feel overwhelmed, simply hire a caterer.

About the Author

By Rose Lenk
For more Christmas and holiday tips and articles visit me at Christmas Visions

Have a Christmas Party- a planning guide

  by M Johnsona

This is a favorite time of the year for many people. Why not take one night in December and set up a nice holiday party. Plan a small get together with family and friends.

It is a great excuse to get together. Plan it early in December so it doesn't conflict with all the Christmas Day events. Before you get too deep in the planning see how many people will be able to come. Then base your plan off that number.

I like to make it a simple potluck meal with everyone bringing part of the meal. Whatever works, Then you can fill in the blanks.

All you need for a small get together is a few decorations, set the table and chairs up, refreshments, music and some fun games to play.

Try to set up a couple of different seating areas, so people can just sit and talk while others play games.

It is a great night and really is nice to see everyone while they are in the holiday spirit. Here is a short guide to give you some ideas of what a party entails:

1. Pick a night 2. Invitation phone calls 2. Plan food needs based on what others are bringing 3. Shopping for food, refreshments, decorations and games 4. Verify with phone calls 7 days prior to party 5. Clean house 6. Decorate and set up chairs 7. Any last minute cooking and food prep 8. Set table 9. Greet the guests 10. Relax and enjoy the Christmas Party, it is just a casual event.

About the Author

M Johnsona operates the www.funchristmasideas.com website A great source for Christmas tips and ideas.