- Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is a classic drink worthy of the top spot. From Swiss Miss hot chocolate packets to your dad’s specialty recipe, hot chocolate is a delectable drink at any time of day. The warm drink, often served with whipped cream and marshmallows, is both comforting and tasty, making it the perfect drink to enjoy while snuggled up in a blanket and watching a Christmas movie.
- Eggnog
Eggnog is a classic Christmas drink. In almost every Christmas movie or show, eggnog is mentioned–and trust me, there’s a good reason why. The drink is made from egg yolks, sugar, cream, milk, and vanilla. Altogether, these ingredients create a delicious drink with notes of nutmeg and cinnamon, perfect for any holiday event.
- Sugar Cookies
A good sugar cookie is hard to beat. With its melt-in-your-mouth texture, it’s easy to finish a batch or a box in no time. The sugar cookie is a simple treat made from sugar, flour, eggs, and some type of fat. You can also add ingredients like vanilla frosting and sprinkles. A sugar cookie is a classic Christmas cookie that is always a welcome addition to any holiday gathering.
- Gingerbread
Even if you’re not a big Christmas fan, you’ve heard of gingerbread. During the holiday season, gingerbread is everywhere – you can’t escape the plethora of gingerbread-themed items: gingerbread houses, gingerbread cookies, and even gingerbread cakes. The sweet treat is made with ginger, brown sugar, cloves, and nutmeg. However, you don’t have to eat gingerbread to enjoy it. Many people love building gingerbread houses and decorating them with all sorts of sweets and snacks.
- Peppermint
You might not think of peppermint as a top Christmas food, but around the holidays, it’s everywhere. From candy canes to peppermint coins, peppermint flavors are ubiquitous. Even Starbucks uses peppermint in their drinks during the holidays. In fact, the Peppermint Mocha is one of their best-selling drinks in December. It just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without peppermint goodies.
- Sugar Cream Pie
There are many different types of pies, but the most popular pies vary from state to state. In Indiana, Sugar Cream Pie reigns supreme. Known as Hoosier Pie, it’s Indiana’s official state pie. This pie is made with cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and butter. It consists of a smooth vanilla custard beneath a flaky, thin layer of butter, topped with cinnamon. With that description, it’s no surprise that Sugar Cream Pie is a favorite during the holiday season.
- Turkey
While it’s Thanksgiving’s signature food, turkey is still popular around Christmas time. Turkey can be prepared in a variety of ways – from a whole turkey to just the drumsticks. Turkey is a perfect food to be the centerpiece of a Christmas dinner. It is usually made by being stuffed with herbs and aromatics. Then, the turkey is roasted in an oven until it is browned. Another addition is glaze. Glaze is an optional, but great, addition to this classic source of food coma. In all, the versatility of turkey makes it the best food to star at your holiday dinner.
- Ham
Ham is a close second to being the best centerpiece at a Christmas dinner. From glazed ham to spiral ham, it can be cooked or made any way while still tasting amazing. When you are buying a ham, you need to be careful of one thing – store-bought ham is usually pre-cooked. This is amazing if you don’t want to put in the many hours it takes to cook a ham, but if you’re trying to make a fresh, homemade entrée, make sure it is not pre-cooked. Whether you’re going to make a fresh ham or buy one from the store, there’s nothing better than it to complement your Christmas dinner.
- Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are the perfect comfort food. From instant mashed potatoes to mashed potatoes topped with caviar, the delicious dish can come in many forms. In my opinion, the perfect mashed potatoes are made with heart-stopping amounts of butter. The butter makes the mashed potatoes super creamy and smooth while not changing the flavor. However, if you want to add a little extra something to your mashed potatoes, gravy is your go-to. Gravy adds a deep, rich flavor profile, enhancing the creamy dish. All of this is optional, though; you can just have some simple mashed potatoes if that’s what you like. Because of its simplicity, mashed potatoes are the perfect comfort food.
- Green Bean Casserole
Whether you love it or hate it (although you probably love it), green bean casserole is a staple at Christmas. With crispy, fried onions, creamy mushroom sauce, and tender green beans, it’s hard to hate. It was first made in 1955 by Dorcas Reilly and was described as “The Ultimate Comfort Food,” which has held up since. Its complex, yet simple, nature makes it the perfect comfort holiday dish.
