Thanksgiving tends to be the holiday most closely associated with big festive dinners, but Christmas has its own delicious food traditions to look forward to all year long. Christmas cookies are near and dear to our hearts, while cheese straws and gingerbread always make an appearance. Some aren’t fans of a traditional fruitcake, while others don’t think you can celebrate the holiday without it. We have more than a dozen dishes ranked. How did your favorites rank?
Credit:
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Although we love all Christmas cookies, there’s something so classic and delicious about a sugar cookie. Maybe it’s the royal icing or the sprinkles, perhaps it’s the festive shapes, but we can’t imagine celebrating Christmas without a batch (or two) of these around.
Credit:
Iain Bagwell
A great Christmas dinner needs a show-stopping centerpiece. Some prefer turkey, but coming just off the Thanksgiving holiday, roast beef is exactly what we are craving. A tenderloin is the special-occasion cut we reach for this time of year, especially when served with a Vidalia Onion-and-Vinegar Sauce.
Credit:
Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
We’ve never met a person who doesn’t love mashed potatoes—it’s a perfect food. While some prefer their Christmas potatoes roasted, we fall on team mashed as they’re the buttery vehicle for gravy.
Credit:
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
There is nothing we’d rather munch while dinner comes together than cheese straws. Plus, they make a great homemade gift alternative if you don’t want to make any more cookies.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
This dish is a smash hit at the kids table, but adults clamor for seconds of this ooey-gooey side just the same. Mac and cheese is the king of casseroles on the table, particularly when made with freshly grated cheese for the best velvety texture.
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Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Micah Morton, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner
Dressing, not ‘stuffing’, is mandatory on any Southern holiday table. We love a good cornbread dressing, but also love one made with crusty bread. Sausage is always a delicious addition, as are plenty of aromatics and fresh herbs.
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Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
Christmas layer cakes aren’t easy, but if there ever was a reason to flex those baking muscles it would be Christmas. Whether caramel, Red Velvet, or coconut, your guests will love a slice, just don’t be surprised if they start requesting these cakes all year.
Credit: Brian Woodcock
We make cornbread year-round, but it feels extra special when made around the holidays. We’re partial to it made in a skillet of course, but as any Southerner knows, pre-heating whatever pan you’re dropping the batter in, is absolutely mandatory.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
You can’t go wrong with this classic. Is it a dessert or a salad? We don’t particularly care as its on the Christmas table somewhere. Whether you used Grandma’s old-school recipe or opt for our fresh take on the dish, it wouldn’t be a Southern Christmas without some form of Ambrosia served.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Ranked lower than roast beef, sure, the humble ham is still a delicious Christmas dinner main dish especially when glazed in brown sugar. Salty and sweet, it’s perfect served with a biscuit or warm dinner roll, and makes great sandwiches as leftovers.
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
This can be a divisive drink, but we’re fans, especially with a little nip of bourbon. The store-bought stuff can be overly sweet and give the drink its bad reputation, but those who’ve made it from scratch know the wonder that is homemade, warm-spiced eggnog.
Credit: Joy Howard
Ranked last, as we know more than a few of you won’t go near it, we hope you reconsider the fruitcake this holiday season. It might not be the overall favorite, but made fresh and from scratch, this dried-fruit studded confection is more than meets the eye and a true Christmas classic.
Credit:
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford
Second only to caramel frosting in the pantheon of complex Southern desserts, divinity is often made around the holidays when the air is crisp and dry. Ethereal, crunchy, and oh-so-sweet, it’s the perfect confection for Christmas.
Dining and Cooking