29 Festive Recipes So Simple, You’ll Have Time for Cake and the After Party
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Celebrating should be fun, not stressful, and these festive recipes make it easy. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the party. Whether hosting or bringing a dish, these recipes let you impress without the hassle leaving you plenty of time for cake and the after-party.
Honey Mustard Salmon
Impress your guests without breaking a sweat with this honey mustard salmon. The glaze is the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors, creating a simple dish that looks and tastes gourmet. With an easy mix, brush, and bake method, you’ll have dinner handled and still have time for dessert.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Let your slow cooker do the work while you focus on celebrating. This mulled wine simmers red wine with citrus, warm spices, and honey for a cozy, festive drink that fills your home with holiday magic. Just toss in the ingredients and let the slow cooker handle the rest, simple, stress-free hosting at its best.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf
This cheese and bacon cob loaf is the ultimate party dip, melty, creamy, and loaded with crispy bacon. It’s baked right inside a crusty loaf of bread for easy serving and even easier cleanup. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a warm, gooey appetizer that disappears fast, giving you more time to relax and enjoy the party.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Bacon Cob Loaf
Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
This simple baked potato soup delivers all the cozy, comforting flavors you love with minimal effort. Loaded with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar, it tastes like it simmered all day but it’s ready in no time. Perfect for a relaxed holiday meal that lets you spend less time cooking and more time celebrating.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato Soup (Chili’s Copycat)
Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets
All the flavor of classic apple pie, none of the fuss. These puff pastry apple pie pockets wrap warm, cinnamon-spiced apples in flaky pastry for a handheld dessert that’s as easy and simple as it is delicious. They come together easily, so you can serve a homemade treat without missing a moment of the fun.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets
Peanut Butter Fudge
This peanut butter fudge is rich, creamy, and unbelievably easy to make. Just a few simple ingredients melt together into a perfectly smooth treat, no candy thermometer required. It’s the kind of dessert that’s ready before you even have time to stress about making it, leaving you more time to enjoy the party.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge
Cranberry Margarita
A cranberry margarita is the perfect festive cocktail that’s as easy and simple to make as it is to sip. With its sweet-tart flavor and vibrant red color, it’s a showstopper that comes together in just 5 minutes. Pour, mix, and toast to an effortless celebration leaving you plenty of time for cake and the after-party.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Margarita
Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
These simple puff pastry cinnamon rolls take all the best parts of classic cinnamon rolls and make them even easier. Buttery, flaky pastry swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze without the long rise time. It’s a no-fuss holiday treat that gives you all the flavor and time with none of the wait.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Make your morning effortless with this simple overnight breakfast casserole. Prep it the night before, then just bake in the morning for a hearty, flavor-packed dish that serves a crowd. You’ll enjoy a stress-free start to the day and have time to enjoy your party without any worries.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple
These bacon-wrapped pineapple bites are proof that simple recipes can steal the show. Sweet, juicy pineapple wrapped in crispy, salty bacon makes for the perfect balance of flavors. With just 10 minutes of prep, this two-ingredient appetizer lets you spend less time in the kitchen and more time celebrating.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple
Cranberry Brie Bites
These cranberry brie bites are the easiest fancy appetizer you’ll ever make. Buttery puff pastry, creamy brie, and tangy cranberry sauce come together in a bite-sized snack that looks stunning yet so simple and takes almost no effort. With just 10 minutes of prep, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser ready while still having plenty of time to enjoy the party.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
Cranberry Chicken Salad
This cranberry chicken salad is a fresh, flavorful twist on a classic that’s so simple, that you’ll have time for cake and the after-party. With tender chicken, crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, and a creamy dressing, it’s a stress-free dish that’s ready in minutes. Serve it on croissants, crackers, or lettuce wraps for easy, impressive addition to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon
This bacon-wrapped filet mignon is the kind of meal that feels fancy et so simple and takes almost no time to prepare. The filet is wrapped in crispy, savory bacon, seared in herb butter, and baked to perfection. It’s an effortless way to serve an elegant dinner and still have plenty of time to enjoy the celebration.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignon
Bruschetta al Pomodoro
Nothing says effortless elegance like a tray of fresh bruschetta al pomodoro. Juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and toasted bread come together in minutes for a simple appetizer that feels straight out of a gourmet kitchen. It’s light, fresh, and the easiest way to impress guests with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta al Pomodoro
Bacon Cheddar Dip
This bacon cheddar dip is the ultimate no-fuss crowd-pleaser. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with crispy bacon, it’s the kind of dip that simple but disappears fast. You only need 5 minutes to mix it up, so you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the party.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Cheddar Dip
Saltine Toffee
Saltine toffee is a simple homemade candy that tastes like you spent hours preparing it. This delicious treat combines buttery caramel, salty crackers, smooth chocolate, and crunchy pecans, making it dangerously addictive. It’s so easy to make that you’ll have time to prepare a second batch for the after-party.
Get the Recipe: Saltine Toffee
Herb Cheese Ball
A cheese ball is the perfect way to add a touch of sophistication to any gathering so simple, you’ll have time for the celebration. With creamy cheese, fresh herbs, and a hint of garlic, this no-cook appetizer takes just minutes to prepare. Roll it, chill it, and serve, it’s as effortless as it is delicious.
Get the Recipe: Herb Cheese Ball
Lobster
Cooking lobster at home may sound fancy, but it’s actually quite simple if you have the right tips. Whether you’re boiling, steaming, or grilling, this guide will help you achieve perfect results with minimal effort. Impress your guests without spending all night in the kitchen, allowing you to be more present during your celebration.
Get the Recipe: Lobster
Candy Cane Martini
This candy cane martini is a festive drink that’s as easy, and simple as it is delicious. Creamy, minty, and beautifully holiday-inspired, it takes just minutes to mix up, no bartending skills required. Sip, enjoy and you’ll have plenty of time for cake and the after-party.
Get the Recipe: Candy Cane Martini
Peppermint Ice Cream
This homemade peppermint ice cream is the perfect holiday treat cool, creamy, and packed with festive flavor. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip it up in no time and serve it in cones, bowls, or alongside your favorite holiday desserts. Effortless and delicious, leaving you more time for the celebration.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Ice Cream
Honey-Glazed Carrots
These honey-glazed carrots are an easy, simple yet elegant side dish that adds the perfect pop of color and flavor to your holiday table. With just a few minutes of prep, you’ll have a dish that looks like you spent hours on it. Leaving you more time to enjoy the party.
Get the Recipe: Honey-Glazed Carrots
Salmon Quiche
This salmon quiche is a low-effort, high-impact dish that’s perfect for brunch or a light dinner. Flaky crust, creamy eggs, and tender salmon come together in minutes, making it look fancy and taste amazing. With simple and minimal effort, you still have more time for the celebration.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Quiche
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This simple slow cooker pot roast is comfort food made so easy. Tender beef, soft veggies, and rich gravy come together with almost no effort. Just toss in the ingredients, let it cook while you enjoy the party, and serve up a classic dish that’s sure to impress, all without the stress.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Beer Cheese Soup
This rich, creamy beer cheese soup is a simple yet flavorful way to warm up your holiday spread. Made in one pot with easy ingredients, it’s a fuss-free dish that’s perfect for a cozy gathering. Serve it with crusty bread and you’ve got a comforting meal in no time, leaving you more time to relax with your guests.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Soup
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These simple garlic mashed potatoes are a side dish that might just steal the show. Fluffy, buttery, and perfectly garlicky they take any meal to the next level. They’re so easy to make, you’ll still have time to enjoy the festivities.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs wrapped in crispy bacon what’s not to love? This simple recipe takes minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor, making it perfect for both busy nights and special occasions. Serve them up and watch them disappear in no time, leaving you more time to entertain your guests.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs
Eggnog Martini
Turn the simple and classic eggnog into a festive cocktail with this easy eggnog martini. A splash of vodka and a hint of amaretto make it creamy, smooth, and full of seasonal flavor. Five minutes and a quick shake, and you’ve got a drink that’s worthy of any holiday celebration and still time to enjoy the fun.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Martini
Stuffed Dates
These goat cheese-stuffed dates are the perfect no-cook appetizer that feels fancy with barely any effort and super simple. Sweet dates, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts make for the perfect sweet and salty bite. Put them on a platter, enjoy the party, and let your guests think you worked harder than you did.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates
Gingerbread Loaf
Cozy up with a slice of homemade gingerbread loaf that smells like the holidays and tastes like pure comfort. Simple to make and perfect for sharing with coffee or tea, it’s an easy treat that feels extra special and still leaves you time for cake and the after-party.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Loaf
