Grandma's Best Christmas Recipes

Having a special celebratory breakfast on Christmas always makes it a more memorable holiday. This recipe was shared by Michael Yeo who says, "This is a recipe handed down from my Grandma Thayer. My family tradition is to make these old-fashioned cake donuts Christmas morning." If you want more depth from the recipe, stir in some allspice and cinnamon when you add the nutmeg.

Having a small slow cooker full of these meatballs makes for an easy appetizer that guests can help themselves to. The beef meatballs in this recipe, contributed by phosmane, get their flavor from a package of dry onion soup mix. They then simmer in a combination of apple jelly, ketchup, and red wine. If you want to offset the sweet notes a little, add a dash of Sriracha hot sauce.

Creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying, hash brown casserole is a classic grandmother dish around the holidays. Besides chopping the onion, all that's required is for you to mix the ingredients together and stick it in the oven. Have a vegetarian in the family? Substitute cream of mushroom or celery for the chicken soup and the dish will be veggie-friendly.

A wintertime classic, gingersnap cookies are a must-have for Christmas gatherings. This melt-in-your-mouth recipe by Marie Ayers relies on a mixture of dark molasses, cinnamon, and (of course) ground ginger for a rich flavor.

A staple for holiday dinners and potlucks, this cornbread dressing has Southern and savory notes that are sure to satisfy. The ingredients list for Amy's recipe is simple, relying mainly on the cornbread along with onions, celery, and sage, for the depth of flavor.

"This is an easy, delicious ham that my grandma has made every year for Christmas," Fawn says. "I got to make it for the first time last year for my family, and it is always wonderful and beautiful." Rubbed with brown sugar and studded with cherries and pineapple slices on toothpicks, this sweet ham cooks in ginger ale. 

A relatively labor-intensive dessert, due to chopping nuts and grating veggies, carrot cakes are just fine if limited to special occasions only. The recipe contributor, heybejay, says "This recipe has been a favorite in our family for three generations." Rich ingredients like crushed pineapple and flaked coconut help keep the cake moist, while a buttermilk glaze at the end takes the dish to another level.

Whether you love it or love to hate it, fruitcake is a Christmas requirement. This recipe doesn't rely on traditional eggs, but instead uses applesauce and oil to ensure a moist cake. With purely five-star reviews so far, it's sure to be a hit at your next holiday party.

While cabbage might not be the first on your list of Christmas foods, this buttery and comforting casserole may change that. The recipe by AMI13 claims to have converted cabbage haters to lovers, so even if you have a picky eater it's worth a try.

Spiced with whole cloves and sweetened with apricot nectar, this bone-in leg of lamb tastes worthy of a Christmas feast. "My grandmother's tender lamb melts in your mouth and the gravy is great on mashed potatoes or rice," recipe submitter Frann R. says. 

Deliciously decadent, Yorkshire pudding is a wonderful quick bread addition to your holiday spread. In this recipe by IBELLIBIE, reviewers described the baked goods as "perfectly golden" and "easy to make." This dish goes well with roast beef or pork since it requires the drippings for coating the pan, but you can substitute butter if animal fats aren't available.

Eggs, butter, milk, cream-style corn, and cornstarch contribute to this corn pudding's custardy consistency. As reviewer Judi Leaming says, it's "definitely the real old-time corn pudding."

"My grandmother found this recipe and makes it every year at Christmas. It is a family favorite, and kids love it," Angie V. says. Ginger beer gives this fruity punch a subtly spicy, fizzy kick.

Decorating cookies with Grandma is among the most cherished Christmas memories for many people. Make a recipe of these easy cutout cookies by smithgangMom and create them in any fun shape you'd like. Whip up a few batches of colored Sugar Cookie Icing and you'll be ready to set up a station for festive decorating.