It’s the best time of the year!
When you close your eyes and think back on the holidays, where does your mind go? Milk and cookies for Santa? Grandma’s famous pie? Hot cocoa and presents by the fire? There’s nothing better than getting together with friends and family over the holidays (except for maybe the food we get to eat), and there’s no better way to do it than with dairy.
So, if you truly want to get in the spirit, check out some of our favorite holiday recipes below, and let’s start cookin’!
Appetizers & Drinks
Kick off the season right with these delectable dairy drinks and appetizers that are sure to make it feel like the holidays are in full swing. Nothing brings more cheer than dairy and these delicious bites will definitely prove it.
Baked Brie With Caramelized Apples
Brie and apples just belong together, don’t you agree? If you’re looking for something to snuggle up with next to the fire, this Baked Apple Brie is a perfect choice. It’s sweet, savory, easy to share, and will quickly become a new family favorite. If you still haven’t gotten your fill, try the Honey, Rosemary, & Walnut Baked, too! Made with Honey, Toasted Walnuts, Brie, Fresh Rosemary, Dried Fruit, Crackers, or Fruit (for serving), this dish is sure to please.
Cheesy Cauliflower
Cheesy Cauliflower is perfect as a side or an appetizer! It’s warm, comforting, and a great complement to any family meal—this dish is great because it’s substitution friendly, and really doesn’t take a lot of hands-on cooking!
Beer Cheese Fondue
Easy, delicious, and legen-dairy—this Beer Cheese Fondue from Executive Chef Geoffrey Caliger of Liberty Food & Wine Exchange is a crowd favorite (and will be a family favorite soon enough, too!). Made with two of our favorite ingredients, Great Basin Wildhorse Amber and a shredded cheese blend of serrano cheddar, gruyere, provolone, and yellow cheddar, this appetizer will be gone before you know it.
Peppermint Mocha
Skip the lines and make the perfect holiday coffee at home! Perfect for sipping after dinner or with your favorite holiday treat, this Peppermint Mocha is made with espresso (or brewed coffee), peppermint syrup, chocolate (or white chocolate), milk, whipped cream, and then your favorite toppings! Try peppermint sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or cocoa powder!
Pumpkin Spice Latte
A Pumpkin Spice Latte. Perfect for the morning, delicious all day, and made with brown sugar, pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and water—this is definitely happiness in a cup! Check it out on our Insta to follow along!
Breakfast
Need help deciding what to make for Christmas morning? We’ve got you covered. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, there’s nothing better than waking up to the smell of your family cooking breakfast—coffee, bacon, eggs; family and friends slowly making their way to the kitchen to gather and enjoy a meal together. Some of our favorite things to wake up to are:
Winter-Inspired Bagel Board
This Bagel Board has something everyone will like. Made with whipped cream cheese, raspberry jam (or your favorite jam!), pomegranate seeds, oranges, and of course bagels, this versatile and easy-to-make treat is not only healthy but delicious! Check out the video to follow along with the recipe.
Buttermilk Biscuits & Country Gravy
Is there anything better than Buttermilk Biscuits & Country Gravy? We actually teamed up with our friends at BJ’s Nevada Barbeque Company to learn a thing or two about how they make their famous biscuits and gravy, and they definitely delivered! Follow along with the video or print out the recipe to see how it’s done!
Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast
French toast is a holiday morning staple in so many households, and we can definitely see why, especially if you’re making this recipe! Hunter Renfrow of the Las Vegas Raiders and Chef Brad Burdsall of EggWorks and Egg & I Family Restaurants show us how to whip up this delicious breakfast treat, Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast! Follow along with them here to get the recipe.
Lunch
Whether you and your loved ones prefer to have a lazy lunch (snacking and small bites until the grand finale dinner) or you’d like to have a larger dish to tide you over, you really can’t go wrong with these holiday bites.
Fried Mac & Cheese With Tomato Jam & Sriracha Mayo
Crunchy and crave-worthy, this oh-so-easy and cheese Fried Mac & Cheese is a mouthwatering shareable that no one will be able to get enough of. The Tomato Jam & Sriracha Mayo not only makes this appetizer elevated
Holiday Charcuterie Board
Making a Holiday Charcuterie Board is a quick and simple way to create a beautiful holiday presentation that’s unique to you and your family. You can include candy canes, chocolates, a variety of different cheeses, meats, and so much more. Holiday Boards like this one give everyone in your family the ability to taste-test new and exciting foods, too!
Roasted Veggie Winter Salad
If you want to keep it light for lunch so you can really dig into the main holiday course, check out a refreshing and hearty veggie dish that will keep you satisfied and full until dinner time. The Roasted Veggie Winter Salad is a delicious holiday meal packed with nutrients, fiber, protein, vitamins A and C, and so much more.
Dinner
Dairy has always been a huge part of our most memorable holiday celebrations—in fact, it fuels them! The cheesy casseroles that have been made every year from our loved one’s passed-down recipes to the traditional ham or turkey, dairy is such an important part of creating the perfect holiday meal. Try sinking your teeth into a few of these delicious dishes!
Smith & River Fresh Pasta Carbonara
Take on Smith & River’s Fresh Pasta Carbonara. Created by owner and executive chef Colin Smith, this dish is made with Nevada cream and cheese, fresh veggies, and so much more. It can also be eaten as a side OR the main course, perfect for a holiday buffet!
Italian Meatballs
Flavorful and sure to put a smile on everyone’s face, these beautiful Italian Meatballs are tender, juicy, and will melt in your mouth! You seriously can’t go wrong with irresistible ingredients like onion, garlic, parmesan cheese, ground beef, and it can be served in just 30 minutes!
Easy Lasagna
Classic, delicious, and something every family loves. This beautiful and easy-to-make dish is perfect for any holiday table. This Easy Lasagna is made with tomato basil pasta sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and fresh basil. It’s definitely an easy win!
Dessert
Arguably the BEST part of the holidays are the treats! From drinks and pastries to homemade chocolate, pies, candies, and so much more, you can’t celebrate the holidays without something sweet.
Frozen Hot Chocolate
This Frozen Hot Chocolate takes less than 5 minutes to make and doesn’t have to only be enjoyed around the holidays! Whether it’s Christmas or July, this party pleaser is perfect day or night, rain or shine, sun or snow. Made with hot chocolate mix, chocolate ice cream, whole milk, ice, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream, this beauty is absolutely delicious!
Fried Sugar Dough Balls
This sugary Columbian treat is bound to be a people-pleaser! Soft, doughy, and perfectly sweet, these fried dough balls perfectly pair with coffee, hot chocolate, tea, warm milk—you name it! Get the recipe! And speaking of coffee…
Ricotta Filled Cannoli
Want to wow your friends and family? They are going to fall in love with these Ricotta Filled Cannolis! Chef Tim of Calafuria shows us how to make a delightfully-dairy cannoli with ricotta filling! It’s a beautiful delicious dish that’s great for the holidays. Follow along with the video to get started!
Make This Holiday Season Legen-Dairy
With a little help from dairy, this holiday season will be your best one yet. And, if you’re looking for more recipes, tips, tricks, or nutrition facts, we have so much more on our site! Check out some of our favorite Coffee & Tea Beverages from our friends at Old World Coffee and don’t forget to check out our recipes page for more delicious dairy ideas.
