15 Last-Minute Christmas Recipes You Won’t Want to Wait An Entire Year To Make
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Christmas is here, and you’re short on time—but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for anything less than amazing. These last-minute recipes are festive, delicious, and so easy you’ll wonder why you don’t make them year-round. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just treating yourself, this list will save your holiday and might even steal the show.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Peppermint hot chocolate is a creamy, minty dream that works perfectly for Christmas or any cozy evening. It’s made in minutes with milk, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder, topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes for an indulgent touch. Once you taste this festive treat, you won’t want to wait an entire year to make it again—it’s simply too good to save for just the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Cranberry Brie Bites
These cranberry brie bites are the ultimate last-minute Christmas recipe that looks fancy but couldn’t be easier to make. With just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep, these buttery, cheesy bites bring big flavors to your holiday spread. They’re so delightful that you won’t want to wait until next December to enjoy them again.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites
Honey Mustard Salmon
Honey mustard salmon is the definition of last-minute holiday elegance. With a quick glaze and bake, this dish comes together in no time, delivering tender, flaky salmon with a sweet and tangy finish. It’s so flavorful and easy to make, you’ll wonder why you’d ever wait for another Christmas to enjoy it again.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Salmon
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms
These 3-ingredient peanut butter blossoms are a last-minute cookie dream for Christmas. They come together quickly with pantry staples and are topped with chocolate kisses for the perfect holiday treat. Once you see how simple and delicious they are, you’ll be baking them long before the next holiday season.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These garlic mashed potatoes are a foolproof last-minute addition to your Christmas table. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, this creamy and garlicky side dish is ready in no time. You’ll love it so much that you’ll want to work it into your menus all year long.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Pepper Gravy
Pepper gravy is a last-minute hero for your Christmas spread. It’s ready in minutes with just five ingredients, delivering a rich and creamy sauce with bold peppery flavor. This gravy is so versatile and satisfying, you’ll be finding reasons to make it well before the next holiday rolls around.
Get the Recipe: Pepper Gravy
Almond Crescent Cookies
Almond crescent cookies are an effortless last-minute addition to your Christmas baking list. With their crumbly texture and powdered sugar coating, they look and taste like they took hours to make, but they’re surprisingly simple. You’ll be making these buttery crescents again and again because waiting another year just isn’t an option.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies
Vodka Cranberry
Vodka cranberry is the perfect festive cocktail you can whip up in minutes, making it ideal for last-minute Christmas celebrations. With its refreshing sweet-tart flavor and festive garnishes, this drink is as impressive as it is simple. Once you’ve had it, you’ll be serving it all year round—because waiting for the holidays would just be too long.
Get the Recipe: Vodka Cranberry
Lobster
This lobster recipe is your secret weapon for last-minute Christmas elegance. With clear, simple instructions, you can prepare perfectly tender lobster in no time, impressing your guests without breaking a sweat. Once you master it, you’ll find yourself wanting to recreate this luxurious dish for every special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Lobster
Holiday Charcuterie Board
A holiday charcuterie board is the ultimate last-minute Christmas centerpiece that’s as easy to create as it is stunning. Simply arrange cured meats, cheeses, and festive accompaniments for a visually impressive spread. After one gathering, you’ll realize this masterpiece deserves a spot at every celebration—not just Christmas.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Charcuterie Board
Breakfast Sausage
Cooking breakfast sausage is as simple as it gets, making it a last-minute favorite for Christmas mornings. With multiple quick methods to prepare it, you can have hearty, flavorful sausage ready to serve without any stress. It’s so versatile and satisfying, you’ll find yourself whipping it up well before next Christmas morning rolls around.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Sausage
Starbucks Copycat Chai Syrup
Starbucks copycat chai syrup is the ultimate last-minute Christmas recipe for adding festive flavor to your favorite drinks and dishes. Made in just 15 minutes, this syrup enhances lattes, teas, and even pancakes with a rich, spiced sweetness. It’s so versatile and quick to make, you’ll wonder why you’d wait until Christmas to enjoy its cozy flavors.
Get the Recipe: Starbucks Copycat Chai Syrup
Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Parmesan roasted green beans are the perfect last-minute veggie side for your Christmas feast. Toss frozen green beans with a quick seasoning mix, roast until crispy, and finish with parmesan for a dish that’s as effortless as it is delicious. You’ll love them so much, they’ll become a year-round staple in your veggie repertoire.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
Matcha Sugar Cookies
These matcha sugar cookies are a last-minute delight that adds vibrant color and flavor to your Christmas cookie platter. With their earthy sweetness and easy-to-follow recipe, they’re perfect for bakers of all skill levels. These unique cookies will be making appearances in your kitchen far more often than just once a year.
Get the Recipe: Matcha Sugar Cookies
Eggnog Creamer
Eggnog creamer is a last-minute Christmas miracle that transforms your morning coffee into a festive treat. Whip it up in minutes with simple ingredients for a creamy, holiday-inspired addition to your favorite drinks. It’s so good, you’ll find yourself reaching for this seasonal favorite long before the next holiday season arrives.
Get the Recipe: Eggnog Creamer
