I Asked Our Editors for the 10 Recipes They Refuse to Skip This December

It's time to sharpen your sweet tooth.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published November 29, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
A stack of chocolatecovered cracker candy pieces on a blue plate

Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Barrett Washburne

The holidays are just around the corner, and I for one am looking forward to the reset, to taking a break to celebrate another year with friends and family. My favorite way to celebrate is, obviously, with food, but that doesn't mean every day has to be (or can be) a big affair. When looking at the recipes selected by our editors this December, it's easy to see who's clearly in "celebration" mode and who's got an eye on the days in between.

With a fun collection of comforting weeknight favorites like Turkish Lentil Soup and Japanese Beef Curry, juxtaposed against a sweet, holiday baking backdrop featuring our No-Bake Maple Pudding Pie and Christmas Cracker Candy, no matter which side you find yourself on, there's a recipe worth saving this month.

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  • Donut Muffins

    Old-Fashioned Donut Muffins on a cooling rack, one broken open

    Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

    "As winter really starts to set in here in Maine, I'm ready to take on some cozy baking projects. I can't wait to make fellow Mainer Mark Beahm's new Donut Muffins. All the flavors and textures of a classic old-fashioned donut without the frying, and they take just 45 minutes to make!" —Afton Cyrus, Senior Editor

  • Mercimek Çorbası (Turkish Lentil Soup)

    Bowls of Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Lentil Soup) Topped with Greek Yogurt, Croutons, Pul Bibir Butter, and Parsley, and Next to It, a Small Bowl of Parsley, Slices of Bread, and Two Spoons

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "I am flat-out obsessed with this soup. I make it a few times (minimum) every winter, and this month will be no different. I serve it simply with a bit of crusty bread or naan, and it reheats beautifully for lunch the next day. Don't skip the drizzle of spiced butter on top!" —Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

  • Christmas Cracker Candy

    A stack of chocolatecovered cracker candy pieces on a blue plate

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Barrett Washburne

    "I am making cookie boxes for the first time this year, and Christmas Cracker Candy will be the perfect addition. It's all about variety in a cookie box, and this salty, sweet treat will add balance, and saltines will be a fun surprise. I'll probably add some flaky salt on top!" —Haley Scarpino, Associate Editor

  • Festive Beet Citrus Salad with Kale and Pistachios

    A plate with a a kale and beet salad on it, ready to eat

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "This is the best kind of salad to make around the holidays, when all kinds of citrus are in season and super flavorful. For a more full-bodied flavor, I use aged balsamic instead of rice vinegar. I find that even people who are skeptical about beets will eat a forkful and be pleasantly surprised!" —Lara Eucalano, Senior Editor

    Continue to 5 of 10 below

  • Grandma Bonnie’s Banana Bars

    Banana bars with frosting and sprinkled nuts arranged in a grid

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "I made these for my Friendsgiving this year, and they were a total hit! I love finding new, easy ways to use up ripe bananas, and this one just became my new favorite. I will definitely be making these again for another gathering before the end of the year!" —Mariana Gonzalez, Content Marketing & Operations Manager

  • No-Bake Maple Pudding Pie

    Pie with a whipped cream topping in a red dish and a slice missing

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Julia Gartland / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

    "Vanilla pudding brings me straight back to childhood—it was one of the first recipes I learned to make on my own. To be honest, my dessert skills haven't improved much since then, making this Easy Maple Pudding Pie perfect for me! I'll plan on whipping this up for one of the many holiday get-togethers on my calendar in December." —Victoria Seaver, Associate General Manager

  • Homemade Hamburger Helper

    homemade hamburger helper in a skillet at a table setting with two glasses of soda and a side salad

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "December is always busy with festivities, but there are still plenty of nights where I just need to get dinner on the table. I'm eyeing cozy, 30-minute recipes like Homemade Hamburger Helper. I'll probably stir in a bag of frozen veggies near the end to make it a one-pot meal." —Sarah Crowder, Senior Art Director

  • Japanese Beef Curry

    A pot of Japanese curry with vegetables and meat a spoon visible in the pot

    Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

    "It's cold out, and I'm reaching for something cozy! This Japanese Beef Curry fits the bill. It's quick and easy to make, coming together in just 30 minutes of cook time (if you're into making curries, you know this is fast). It's a hearty stew, jam packed with potatoes, carrots, and ribeye chunks. And most important, this stew is super flavorful. Serve it over rice for a filling meal." —Munni Pramanik, Editorial Projects Manager

    Continue to 9 of 10 below

  • The Best Pecan Pie

    Close up of baked pecan pie filling.

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "With Christmas around the corner, I find everyone else focused on apple or pumpkin pie (which I love too, don't get me wrong!). But my heart belongs to pecan pie. It's my favorite holiday pie and a must-make every year." —Devan Grimsrud, Contributor

  • 2-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Bark

    Chocolate chip cookie bark on a baking tray

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Ward / Prop Styling by Priscilla Montiel / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall

    "I never turn down a chocolate chip cookie, whether it's ooey gooey in the middle, or crisp and crunchy, like this 2-ingredient chocolate chip cookie bark. I think I'll add crushed candy canes on top of the melted chocolate to make this really feel festive." —Victoria Seaver, Associate General Manager

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