Who doesn’t love receiving all the Christmas goodies?! I especially love the good dark chocolate, the expensive stuff, high quality. I am kind of a chocolate snob. I more enjoy baking all the Christmas treats for neighbors, co-workers and friends, rather than receiving them. I mean I love sweets, I will be honest, but sometimes it’s hard for me to completely devour the treats.
Why? Because I don’t know what was used in the baking process, and what preservatives, what kind of sugar, etc were used. I do allow myself to splurge though, and typically it results in an immediate headache, but sometimes chocolate, double stuffed brownies are worth it.
I am not a fan of sugar cookies or even gingerbread cookies, so you won’t find recipes for those here. I can be picky about my cookies. I like them soft and chewy, not hard. I rather eat them hot out of the oven, with a cold glass of almond milk, then cold. Breads are my favorite, and chocolate of course.
Then there’s the great holiday fare. Every family has their own traditions, and I love taking traditional dishes, and re-creating them. Like cranberry sauce and the sweet potatoes. Two dishes I have recreated and now are made each year at least once throughout the holidays.
You’ll find some great recipes for Christmas below. These are some of our family favorites, and are made nearly every year over the holidays. Some are sweets, while others are great for Christmas day dinner. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!!
- Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl Bread – I make at least a dozen loaves of this bread over the holidays. Everyone from my husband to my co-workers to my neighbors love it. It’s vegan and has a great cinnamon taste, and very moist.
- Spiced Cranberry Sauce – My grandma has her traditional recipe, but I branched out and made an easy, simple recipe myself. Homemade cranberry sauce is healthier and easy to make. Most canned cranberry sauce don’t have real cranberries. This has a orange zest and ginger, for a festive flare.
- Creamy Garlic Sweet Potato Au Gratin – These are a healthier version to the candied yams. They have a creamy, garlic sauce. My aunt made them with whipping cream, and I made a vegan version that’s just as good.
- Ginger Molasses Cookies – I love to use crystallized ginger in these cookies and have a recipe for a completely vegan version as well here. These are always requested among friends and family. The perfect texture for a cookie.
- Vegan Coconut Sweet Potato Pie – Doesn’t have to be pumpkin pie served at dinner, and it can be just as good too!! Try this version to mix it up a bit. Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A too.
- Honey Dijon Sweet Potato Salad – You don’t always have to go traditional for Christmas dinner. Enjoy a favorite, sweet potatoes, with a creamy honey dijon dressing and nuts.
- Pumpkin Mousse – If you are a pumpkin fan, you’ll love this easy pumpkin mousse. I forgot all about this recipe, until I was going through my old recipes. It’s vegan. Definitely making this for Christmas Eve dessert. You can add chia seeds or try this Pumpkin Chia Seed Pudding Bake, great for breakfast.
- Roasted Parmesan Butternut Squash – Trying to stay away from potatoes? Then this will be a great substitute. Roasted butternut squash with an easy parmesan and oil toss, will be enjoyed by all.
- Roasted Creamy Cashew Cauliflower – Cauliflower is versatile, and this is a great addition to any dinner!! Use a cashew nut butter and some cashews, with curry.
- Vegan Creamy Power Greens Salad – Dress up the traditional salad with a great creamy, vegan dressing low in calories and fat. This sauce is loved by many, a vegan version of Cesar dressing.
The Christmas countdown has begun for us, mainly my countdown until I get to be in Montana with my family. There’s still time for checking off your Christmas list and making some of the recipes above….so don’t delay!!
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
What’s your favorite holiday recipe?
I can’t wait to try these recipes! We (mostly me) have already devoured your vegan dessert bread and ginger molasses cookies- so dangerously delicious!
I am glad you have enjoyed them!!