39 Timeless Gourmet Recipes for Your Holiday Table

When we think about Gourmet, we think about recipes clipped from old issues and cooked over and over each year until they become family traditions. The perfect spicy gingerbread. The roast that never fails. The Christmas breakfast everyone lingers over while the kids dive face-first into their presents. Epicurious readers seek out and save these classics in huge numbers, and it's so fun to see what everyone's cooking. Looking to start a new tradition this winter? Scroll down for our most popular holiday favorites from Gourmet.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo1/39
Simple Hot Cocoa for One
This recipe starts trending on our site as soon as the weather drops below 50°. And we'll keep making it until it's spring again.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews2/39
Crisp Roast Duck
For a memorable holiday main, there's no beating this duck recipe from September 2006.
- Photo by Andrew Purcell, Prop Styling by Paige Hicks, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell3/39
Leg of Lamb With Garlic and Rosemary
Gather 'round the table and slice into this rosy roast. Serve with these extra-savory porcini popovers and a green vegetable.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova4/39
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Cap off the meal with an intense chocolate experience.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh5/39
Duck à l’Orange
For an old school holiday, you need an old school recipe, like this impressive roast duck with a not-too-sweet orange sauce.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson6/39
The Simplest Roast Turkey
Making turkey for Christmas? This easy recipe is a reader favorite for a reason.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews7/39
Chocolate Mousse
Gourmet printed this luscious chocolate dessert back in 2002. It's been getting rave reviews ever since.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Simon Andrews8/39
Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
This rack of lamb doesn't take long to prepare—just a garlicky herb rub, a quick browning session, and less than 30 minutes in the oven.
- 9/39
Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes
For many folks, the sides are what makes a festive meal special. This layered potato dish calls for Cheddar, but you could also use nutty Gruyère, Emmenthaler, Fontina, or a mix.
- 11/39
Sweet-Potato Latkes
We love a traditional potato latke, but these sweet potato pancakes rank among our most popular recipes from Gourmet year after year. Maybe everyone is onto something…
- Photo by Marcus Nilsson12/39
Brandied Almond Biscotti
If you're thinking of making cookie boxes for shipping or sharing, this easy recipe is a great place to start.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton13/39
Stuffed Mushrooms
Thinking about Christmas appetizers or New Year's Eve bites? These stuffed mushrooms just might ruin everyone's appetite for dinner.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi14/39
Hot White Russian
Your list of classic holiday drinks may include eggnog, mulled wine, and coquito, but this steaming version of the White Russian could become a new family essential.
- Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova15/39
Belgian Buttermilk Waffles With Glazed Bananas
Treat everyone to a hearty breakfast over the holidays. This waffle recipe combines the crisp of Belgian waffles with the tang of buttermilk.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne16/39
Classic Sugar Cookies
Preheat your ovens—holiday baking begins now. No list of essential cookies could be complete without these simple stunners. Decorate them however you like.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances Boswell17/39
Manicotti
This cozy main dish is the perfect vacation project.
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Prop styling by Sean Dooley, Food styling by Taneka Morris18/39
Hot Buttered Rum
Another warm drink to sip by the fire.
- Photo by Martyn Thompson19/39
Crown Roast of Pork with Onion and Bread-Crumb Stuffing
This majestic cut of meat is worthy of any celebration. The pork's natural sweetness is coaxed forward by the herbs and onions in the stuffing.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne20/39
Gourmet’s Best Gingerbread Cookies
Not sure what to put on Santa's cookie plate? We've heard he loves this classic gingerbread.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes21/39
Pignoli Cookies
These cookies get their chewy texture from almond paste and egg whites and their crunch from the pine nuts.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson22/39
Butternut Squash and Creamed-Spinach Gratin
There's no better season than gratin season. Celebrate accordingly.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka23/39
Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Pancetta and Garlic
You'll need a side dish not matter what you decide to serve for your holiday feast. These perfectly browned brussels sprouts will disappear from the table fast.
- Lara Ferroni24/39
Tiramisu Yule Log
A flavorful, Italian-inflected spin on the classic bûche de Noël. Readers say it's “worth the work” and “always a family favorite.”
- Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh25/39
Butter Cookies
Restock those tins with crunchy, buttery cookies.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Pearl Jones26/39
Mulled Apple Cider With Orange and Ginger
Jumpstart your holiday season with this cozy hot drink.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich27/39
Parker House Rolls
The fluffiest Parker House rolls, as printed in Gourmet in 1999, have filled bread baskets ever since.
- 28/39
Sauteed Collard Greens
Don't skip the greens! This quick version of classic collards is great with a holiday goose.
- Chris Gentile29/39
Raspberry-Almond Linzer Cookies
These festive sandwich cookies make any Christmas cookie assortment look prettier.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne30/39
Chocolate Cream Pie
Creamy chocolate pudding fills a chocolate pie shell before it's all topped with a cloud of whipped cream.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Anna Hampton31/39
Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Serve with ham, serve with turkey, serve with whatever you're roasting for dinner.
- Photo by Lara Ferroni32/39
Citrus-Sage Roast Turkey Breast With Gravy for a Small Crowd
A smaller celebration needs a smaller roast. You'll still end up with plenty of leftovers for day-after turkey sandwiches.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad33/39
Sour-Cream Pancakes With Sour-Cream Maple Syrup
Dreaming of a cozy breakfast with the whole family? This tall stack of pancakes is a crowd-pleaser.
- 34/39
Cinnamon Palmiers
A liberal sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar in between the layers of the pastry here gives each cookie both sweetness and a hint of spice.
- 35/39
Dan's Baked Stuffed Shrimp
This reader favorite pairs buttery shrimp with a Ritz cracker stuffing.
- Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad36/39
Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole
Breakfast casseroles are a holiday staple, especially handy on a frenzied Christmas morning.
- Romulo Yanes37/39
Winter Minestrone
After the snowman-building and the ice skating, a steaming, savory bowl of soup will warm you from the inside out.
- photo by Lisa Hubbard38/39
Upside-Down Pear Gingerbread Cake
This wintry dessert combines everything that's good about gingerbread with everything that's great about upside-down cake.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes39/39
Peppermint Patties
Want to give out homemade gifts this year? These peppermint treats are refreshing and chocolaty. Click through for more Christmas candy ideas →

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