Host Your Best Holiday Ever

Go beyond the cheese board with these impressive and easy goat cheese appetizers.

The party's on with this collection of popular gluten-free appetizers, including some top-rated dips that you can serve with fresh fruits and vegetables instead of bread slices and crackers, tartlets loaded with seasonal vegetables and creamy cheeses, and even a few sweet, nutty options.  Recipes that are tagged as “gluten-free” do not include products that normally contain gluten. However some recipes with the gluten-free tag may call for ingredients such as sauces or mixes that may or may not contain gluten, so be sure to read ingredient labels carefully.

Brie makes for an amazing addition to any appetizer table and also works wonderfully on all kinds of entrees, from sandwiches to pizza. Take a look at some of our favorite ways to use this mild and creamy cheese. 

If you’re seating a host of guests for dinner, you’ll need side dishes that will feed a crowd. All of these side dishes serve 8 people or more.

Look no further for a perfect sweet potato casserole recipe. We've got 20+ top-rated sweet potato casserole recipes to suit your side dish style. These sweet potato casserole recipes are ideal for Thanksgiving--you can choose between marshmallow or pecans, or insist on having both, or neither! But don't forget that sweet potato casseroles are a great addition to the dinner table all during the fall and winter. Kids love sweet potatoes, so serve them a casserole side dish that's both delicious and nutritious. The classic recipes are great, but don't sleep on the Cranberry Sweet Potato Bake. We're drooling just thinking about it. 

When you need a green bean casserole recipe for your holiday meal or covered dish dinner, look no further than this collection that includes traditional green bean casseroles as well as more daring versions featuring fresh mushrooms and onions, pecans, and cheese.

From brownies to sugar cookies to pecan bars, we've collected some of our best holiday cookies. Warning: You may feel the urge to eat your screen!

Gooey, chewy, and straight-from-the-oven, these tried-and-true cookie recipes warm tummies and hearts.

Our top holiday cookies are gorgeous, delicious, and guaranteed show stoppers at any cookie swap or holiday party. Whip up a batch or two of these holiday cookies for teachers, hostess gifts, coworkers, or for your family to enjoy on a cozy night in. Drop cookies, meringues, traditional holiday cookies, cut outs, bars, balls, and bonbons all make their way into our top rated holiday cookie list, so browse, drool, and pick your favorite to bake this holiday season. Don't forget to pick a special one for Santa!

Impress your holiday guests with a show-stopping cake that tastes as great as it looks on the dessert table. Our favorite festive cake recipes are the perfect way to finish your meal and also transform your dinner table into a jaw-dropping display. From fun fillings and decorative designs to luscious layered cakes and delicate trifles, these gorgeous white cakes are loaded with delicious flavor and spirited holiday fun. Pick your favorite recipe from our collection and get started on a new holiday tradition this year.

Fall in love with these irresistible autumn pies, from Pumpkin Streusel to Pecan Cheesecake.

There's nothing quite like unveiling a luscious, irresistible cheesecake at the holiday table. Eyes will widen and jaws are sure to drop when you present these showstopping cheesecakes at your next festive fete.

Get tips for buying, cooking, and carving your Thanksgiving bird from the experts at Cooking Light, Real Simple, and Sunset.

Serve a main dish guaranteed to garner rave reviews. Ham is a great entree option year round, but typically hits the menu around Christmas and Easter. There's no need to splurge on a store-bought glazed ham. You can pick up a ham at your grocery store and we'll help you bring out the best of its flavor with simple ingredients. Once you've picked your perfect ham recipe, don't forget the ideal side dishes to go with it. 

If you're expecting company (or even if you're not) these beef tenderloin recipes make a really impressive platter to serve for dinner. This cut of beef is tender, juicy, and perfect to use on sandwiches, appetizers, and of course, by itself as the main dish. Great sauces really bring out the flavor of this irresistible cut of beef and serve to catapult this dish to new heights. Impressive enough for a holiday or special occasion, but versatile enough for a weeknight, these beef tenderloin recipes are bound to become family favorites.