Recipes Featured in this Article
Whether you're in search of some elevated appetizers or preparing the finishing touches for an entire winter feast, no holiday spread is complete without a few homemade treats in the mix. That doesn't mean you need to spend all day in your kitchen, though! As part of our Shop This List series, chef and cookbook author Laura Vitale stopped by TODAY to help make entertaining easier with special-occasion recipes that don't take more than 30 minutes to prep.
Level up your grazing table with a festive spin on two finger-food favorites. There are Gruyère bacon twists and cheddar sausage rolls that both call for store-bought puff pastry to save you time and effort. Hosting Christmas dinner? Vitale shared a cranberry chicken dish that can be cooked and served in a single, oven-safe skillet. And if you were considering running out for a last-minute dessert, think again. Her gingerbread tiramisu tastes best after 24 hours in the fridge, so you can quickly whip it up the day before the big gathering.
Ready for a hands-off holiday spread? We’ve made it even easier for you. Shop all the recipes — plus, a few tools you may need — below.
Laura Vitale’s easy holiday entertaining recipes
When you’re hosting for the holidays (or anytime!) you need an appetizer to hold over your guests before dinner. Enter: puff pastry. This pre-made dough is a miracle for me when I’m hosting company because it allows me to make easy apps and snacks like these Gruyère bacon twists. I love these so much — the combination of salty, cheesy and slightly sweet flavors makes for the perfect party day bite!
Any time of year, I love any recipe that has sausage involved, and these little rolls might actually be the perfect party food. They are so flavorful and perfect in every way. They are one of my biggest hits at every gathering!
Cranberries are truly the flavor of the season every holiday — from drinks to desserts, and now chicken! I love this seasonal take on a plain chicken breast. It’s tangy, juicy and glossy and the cranberries add a lovely tartness that balances really well with the honey.
I absolutely love any kind of tiramisu and this version is just giving a little holiday kiss to the Italian classic I grew up with. The gingerbread flavors give way to creamy mascarpone cheese, and together they make the perfect, light, after-holiday-dinner treat. There are also no raw eggs involved, which keeps this recipe really easy!
