5 Delicious Christmas Recipes for the Holiday Season

Welcome to the heartwarming time of the holiday season. The air is filled with the sweet aroma of joy and the warmth of family gatherings. As we approach Christmas, there’s a jolly mood that overwhelms us, creating moments of togetherness and celebration. If you are looking for delicious Christmas recipes for a family gathering, you have come to the right place. Not only that, but we have also included some suggestions that will make your kitchen adventures more delightful. Or perhaps you might find a gift idea or two!  We invite you to explore these delightful recipes that add flavor to your Christmas festivities. Invite your loved ones to prepare delightful meals, creating cherished memories and fostering connections during this festive season. Share the joy of Christmas through the simple yet meaningful act of coming together over these special dishes.

Turkey: A Grand Centerpiece for Christmas 

No Christmas feast is complete without a roast Turkey taking center stage. Roasted to perfection, this iconic dish is a symbol of festive and joyous gatherings. Explore the steps and ingredients below:  

Ingredients:

• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage), a handful of each, finely chopped
• 3-5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large onion, quartered
• 3-4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3-5 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
• 1 whole turkey (size of your choice)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to the desired temperature, typically around 325°F or 165°C.
• Prepare the Jata Oven – Rotisserie: Ensure the Jata Oven – Rotisserie is set up for use. This appliance offers a 45 L capacity and provides four cooking modes: rotisserie, oven, grill, and convection.
• Prepare the Turkey: Rinse the turkey thoroughly inside and out.
• Pat Dry: Pat the turkey dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
• Season the Cavity: Season the cavity of the turkey with salt and pepper.

Herb Butter:

In a bowl, mix softened butter with chopped fresh herbs and minced garlic.

Rub the herb butter mixture under the turkey skin and over the entire surface.

Vegetable Bed:

Place quartered onions, chopped carrots, and celery in the roasting pan.

Turkey Placement:

Put the turkey with its back on the vegetable bed in the roasting pan.

Roasting:

1. Tent the turkey with foil for the first part of roasting.
2. Baste the turkey with pan juices or broth every 30 minutes.
3. Remove the foil for the last part of roasting to achieve a golden skin.

Temperature Check:

1. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe level (165°F or 74°C).
2. Let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Enjoy a festive Christmas with a delicious roast turkey at the center of your celebration. With these simple steps, your holiday table will be adorned with a golden and flavorful turkey, making your Christmas feast complete. Happy cooking, and Merry Christmas!

Quick & Easy Cinnamon Rolls: A Sweet Start to Christmas 

Begin your Christmas morning with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked Cinnamon Rolls. These soft, gooey delights are a perfect blend of sweetness and spice, creating a heavenly treat for your taste buds. With just a few simple ingredients and a touch of love, you can bring the magic of these cinnamon swirls to your holiday table.

Preparation Time: 2-3 hours including the time for preparing the dough and letting it rise.

Dough Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter(115 g), melted
• 2 cups whole milk, warm to the touch
• 100 g granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 4 cups flour(500-600 g), divided
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 2 teaspoons of salt

Frosting Ingredients 

• 4 oz of softened cream cheese 
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar(120 g)

Filling Ingredients 

• ¾ cup butter(170 g), softened
• ¾ cup light brown sugar(165 g)
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Preparation:

1. Grease two disposable foil pie/cake pans generously.
2. In a large bowl, combine warm milk, melted butter, and granulated sugar, ensuring the mixture is between 100-110˚F (37-43˚C). If too hot, allow it to cool slightly.
3. Sprinkle yeast evenly over the warm mixture and let it sit for 1 minute.
4. Add 4 cups (500g) of all-purpose flour to the milk mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon until just combined.
5. Cover the bowl and let the mixture rise in a warm place for 1 hour until it almost doubles in size.
6. After 1 hour, uncover the bowl and add an additional ¾ cup (95g) of flour, along with baking powder and salt. Stir well.
7. Turn the dough onto a floured surface.
8. Knead the dough lightly, gradually adding more flour until it loses stickiness.
9. Roll out the dough into a ½-inch (1 cm) thick rectangle, ensuring sharp and even corners.
10. Spread softened butter over the dough evenly.
11. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over the buttered dough, pressing the mixture into the butter.
12. Roll up the dough, pinch the seam closed, and place seam-side down, trimming any uneven ends.
13. Cut the log into halves, then each half into 7 pieces (about 1½ inches or 8cm thick each).
14. Arrange 7 cinnamon rolls in each cake pan.
15. Cover the pans with plastic wrap and let the rolls rise in a warm place for 30 minutes.
16. Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
17. In a medium-sized bowl, prepare the frosting by whisking together cream cheese, butter, whole milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth.
18. Remove the plastic wrap from the pans.
19. Bake the cinnamon rolls for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
20. While still warm, drizzle the frosting evenly over the cinnamon rolls.

To whisk the ingredients, you can ideally use a hand mixer. Solac hand mixer offers you some great features and benefits, especially for baking. Since it is a compact tool, this can be a great option for a Christmas gift. 

Alza’s Plat Four Carré can come in handy.

Tips for Smoother Baking 

• Use the five adjustable speed levels and turbo function for optimal mixing.
• Choose high speeds when whipping cream, beating egg whites, or making meringues.
• Utilize low speeds for mixing heavy dough, frosting, and batter.
• Adjust the speed settings based on your specific baking task for smoother and more consistent results.

English Trifle: Layers of Christmas Delight

The English Trifle is a delightful dessert that combines the richness of custard, fruits, and sponge cake. 

Cake ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups cake flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1 large egg yolk
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 
• 3 heaping tablespoons of seedless red raspberry jam or preserves
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon cream sherry

Instructions:

Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F (170C -180C) and prepare cake pans by greasing them and lining them with parchment paper circles. In a medium bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder, and salt, and set aside.
2. In a measuring cup or bowl, mix the milk with the vanilla and almond extracts and set aside.
3. Using a mixer on medium speed, cream the butter until smooth. Gradually add in the sugar until fully incorporated, then add the eggs and yolk one at a time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. On low speed, gradually mix in half of the dry ingredients and half of the milk mixture. Then add the remaining dry and wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes to aerate the batter.
5. Divide the batter between the prepared cake pans and bake for 22-32 minutes, or until a fork/cake tester comes out clean and the top of the cake springs back to the touch.
6. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and let them cool completely.

Custard:

1. Heat 4 cups of milk until simmering in the versatile Alza Century Sauteuse Fry Pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with sugar and cornstarch.
3. Temper the eggs by gradually adding some of the hot milk mixture while whisking continuously. Then, transfer the egg mixture back into the saucepan.
4. Cook the mixture in the saucepan until thickened. Add vanilla extract and butter, stirring until smooth.

Assembly:

1. Cut the cooled cake into cubes and place them at the bottom of a trifle dish.
2. Drizzle the cake with 1/2 cup of cream sherry.
3. Spread seedless red raspberry jam over the cake cubes.
4. Layer with sliced strawberries and fresh raspberries.
5. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cream sherry over the berries.
6. Pour the custard over the layers.
7. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
8. Top the trifle with the whipped cream.
9. Optionally, garnish with additional berries or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Enjoy this delightful English Trifle, made easier with the Century Sauteuse Fry Pan’s from Alza versatile features for various cooking steps in the recipe, such as heating the milk for the custard, simmering ingredients, and creating the sherry-soaked cake. Its versatility makes it a valuable tool for different cooking steps.

Gingerbread Cookies: Wholesome Christmas Joy

Get into the holiday spirit with these delightful Gingerbread Cookies! This simple recipe brings warmth and joy to your Christmas celebrations. Perfect for baking with family or friends, these cookies fill your home with the irresistible aroma of ginger and spices. Let’s dive into the magic of making these festive treats! Once again, the Solac hand mixer comes in handy.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until well blended.
4. Gradually add the dry and wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. You can use molds with different shapes.
5. Roll the dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set. Allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. 

This Gingerbread Cookies recipe is a true Christmas joy, capturing the essence of the season in every bite. Share these delicious treats with loved ones, and for an extra touch of holiday magic, serve them with a glass of milk. Wishing you a festive and delightful Christmas celebration!

Sharing Joy During this Jolly Season

As the delightful aroma of these Christmas recipes fills your home, may it bring forth laughter, joy, and the warmth of shared moments. From our kitchen to yours, we wish you a Christmas filled with love, happiness, and the taste of homemade delights. Merry Christmas! Check out our website for more useful kitchen equipment. We have a selection of quality items that can make Christmas preparations easy and fun.