Home > Blog > Holiday Food Hack: Stunning Recipes Without The Stress
4 creative (and fancy) holiday recipe ideas that don’t break the bank
By Sebastien Centner
Want to wow your guests this holiday season without the stress or high costs? In this blog, I’m sharing four creative holiday food hacks I showcased on Breakfast Television. These easy-to-make, budget-friendly recipes are perfect for elevating your holiday spread and impressing your guests. Read on to discover how to recreate these festive dishes and make your holiday gatherings extra special.
1. Mistletoe Martini
Bring instant holiday cheer with this interactive cocktail that looks as stunning as it tastes. Using a store-bought martini mix, you can craft a drink that feels custom-made for the season.
Ingredients:
- Cranberries
- Rosemary sprigs
- Ready-made cocktail mix (choose something red for festive flair)
Method:
- Rinse clear ornaments and use a funnel to pour in the cocktail mix. Replace the toppers.
- Add 5-6 cranberries and a rosemary sprig to each glass.
- Top the glasses with filled ornaments. Serve and let guests pour out their drinks when ready. It’s a delicious icebreaker that doubles as holiday decor.
2. Herbed Butter Candle
Impress your guests with this viral-worthy centrepiece that doubles as a delectable bread dip. This herbed butter candle trick is both a conversation starter and a culinary delight.
Ingredients:
- 2 bags soft pretzel bites
- 16 oz. unsalted butter
- 1 head of garlic, roasted
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary
- 1 edible wick
- 1 paper cup
Method:
- Melt the butter over low-medium heat. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Add roasted garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes to the melted butter and remove from heat.
- Cut a small hole at the bottom of the paper cup and string the edible wick through.
- Pour the butter mixture into the cup, ensuring the wick stays centred. Chill until firm.
- Bake pretzels at 400°F for 4-6 minutes.
- Remove the butter candle from the cup by peeling off the paper. Trim the wick if needed.
- Light the candle at the table and let guests dip pretzels into the warm, melted garlic butter.
3. Edible Donut Hole Tree
Turn store-bought donut holes into a spectacular dessert display that fits any budget. This edible tree is both decorative and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 80-90 powdered sugar or sour cream donut holes
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Method:
- Wrap a styrofoam cone in two layers of plastic wrap.
- Starting at the base, insert toothpicks halfway into the cone.
- Gently push donut holes onto the toothpicks, forming a ring around the base.
- Continue working upward in a spiral pattern until the cone is fully covered.
- Fill gaps with trimmed rosemary sprigs and cranberries.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy effect. This centrepiece is almost too pretty to eat—but your guests will gladly dig in.
4. Holiday Ornament Cheese Ball
Short on time for fancy appetizers? With this simple food hack, you can transform a classic cheese ball into a festive showpiece. This quick, last-minute trick will make your appetizer the standout star of your charcuterie board.
Ingredients:
- 1 block softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate seeds
- 1 wrapped Rolo candy
- 1 sprig of rosemary
Method:
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar, pecans, green onions, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Lay pomegranate seeds on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
- Place the cheese mixture on plastic wrap, gather the edges, and form a ball. Unwrap.
- Gently press pomegranate seeds all over the ball until fully covered.
- Attach the Rolo candy on top with a rosemary sprig to resemble an ornament hook.
- Serve with crackers or as the centrepiece of a holiday charcuterie board.