27 Holiday Classics My Mom Got From Her Mom That I’ll Never Stop Serving

Some recipes last for generations because they just work, and the holiday classics I learned from my mom are exactly that. They’re comforting, reliable, and make hosting easier because you know they’ll turn out right every time. If you want a holiday table that feels warm, easy, and sure to please everyone, these are the recipes to keep.

Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Homemade chicken pot pie is a recipe that’s been in my family longer than I’ve been alive. I still use the same crust with celery seed, my Grandma insisted on, and it delivers that unmistakable holiday comfort every time. Serving it makes me feel like I’m honoring the women who taught me how to cook.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Cranberry Chicken Salad

Cranberry chicken salad brings a fresh twist to the kind of crowd-pleasing dishes my mom leaned on during busy holiday seasons. The mix of tart cranberries, creamy dressing, and crunchy pecans reminds me of the textures she always worked into her winter menus. It’s quick to prep, which means I get the same comfort without spending the whole day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Pineapple cheese ball was one of my mom’s signature holiday party tricks, and I’ve proudly adopted it as my own. I mix the creamy cheese with fruit and crunchy bits until it forms that familiar sweet-savory combo everyone expects. Rolling it out each year keeps her holiday spirit right in the center of my table.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peanut butter blossoms remind me of the cookie trays my mom and Grandma used to set out before guests arrived. I love how the warm peanut butter cookies and chocolate kisses create an instant sense of nostalgia. Baking a batch always feels like I’m keeping their tradition alive in the sweetest way.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

Parmesan Potatoes

Parmesan potatoes always remind me of the crispy potato sides my family refused to have a holiday meal without. I roast the baby potatoes until the cheese turns golden and irresistible. Bringing them out of the oven feels like reviving the same comforting crunch I grew up loving.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes

Almond Crescent Cookies

Almond crescent cookies are the first treat I learned to make with my mom, and they still disappear faster than anything else I bake during the holidays. The buttery crescents dusted in powdered sugar bring back the exact cozy feeling of Christmas mornings at my Grandma’s house. Every batch helps me carry that tradition forward in my own kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes always take me straight back to the holiday dinners my mom and Grandma made together. I mash the fluffy potatoes with butter, warm milk, and just enough garlic to make the whole kitchen smell like home. A bowl of it on the table instantly feels like keeping a long-loved tradition alive.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Poached Pears

Poached pears feel like a fancy version of the fruit desserts my mom used to make for holiday dinners, but without the stress. I simmer the pears in wine, honey, and spices until they’re tender and elegant. Bringing them to the table keeps the tradition of simple, warm desserts alive in a fresh way.
Get the Recipe: Poached Pears

Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Slow cooker spinach and artichoke dip always reminds me of the kind of appetizer my mom would set out when family filled the house during the holidays. I love how the creamy, cheesy blend warms up slowly in the pot and gives me time to focus on everything else going on. With only a few minutes of prep, I end up with a nostalgic, party-ready dip that fits right into our long-standing traditions.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry brie bites look fancy, but to me, they feel like a modern update to the holiday appetizers my family has always loved. The warm brie, flaky pastry, and tart cranberry jam come together in a bite that takes me right back to our crowded holiday tables. I love serving them because they add a festive touch without pulling me away from the celebration.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

Cornbread with Bisquick

Cornbread with Bisquick is one of those recipes that instantly takes me right back to childhood dinners around my mom’s table. I love how soft and golden it bakes up, just like hers always did. No holiday or family dinner feels complete without a warm slice on the side.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread with Bisquick

Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

Parmesan roasted green beans make me think of the simple veggie sides my Grandma always baked alongside big holiday meals. I toss the frozen green beans with seasonings and parmesan, and they roast into something that tastes way more special than the effort suggests. Bringing them to the table helps me keep the balance of comfort and ease that my family always appreciated.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

3 Ingredient Shortbread

Three-ingredient shortbread is exactly the recipe my mom taught me because it’s simple, buttery, and never leaves leftovers for long. The crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture brings back memories of the cookie tins we passed around every December. I bake them now to keep that warm holiday tradition going with almost no stress.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Shortbread

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Stuffed chicken breast feels like the kind of comforting main dish my mom used to make when she wanted dinner to feel a little more special. The creamy cheese filling, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes turn simple chicken into something worthy of a holiday table. I keep it in my rotation because it delivers that same homey, celebratory feeling with minimal fuss.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Breast

Honey Glazed Carrots

Honey-glazed carrots bring the same bright pop of color my family always put on the table during holiday meals. I simmer the carrots in honey, garlic, and butter until they turn glossy and tender in that nostalgic, comforting way. Serving them alongside our classic dishes makes everything feel wonderfully familiar.
Get the Recipe: Honey Glazed Carrots

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast has been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember, especially on cold holiday evenings. I love watching the beef, vegetables, and gravy slowly melt together into that comforting flavor my mom nailed every single time. Bringing it back into my rotation keeps a special family ritual going.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

Puff pastry apple pie pockets deliver the same cozy aroma as my family’s classic apple pie, but with a fraction of the work. I love how the spiced apples tuck into flaky pastry and create a warm, handheld treat that feels perfect for holiday gatherings. Serving them keeps our apple dessert tradition alive even when I’m short on time.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Pie Pockets

Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Bruschetta al pomodoro has the same simple, fresh charm as the starters my Grandma used to serve during holiday gatherings. I pile the tomatoes and basil onto warm, toasted bread, and it tastes like the kind of recipe that’s been passed down without ever needing improvement. Every bite brings back the cozy chatter of family-filled kitchens.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Al Pomodoro

Old Fashioned Fudge

Old-fashioned fudge is a treat my Grandma made in huge batches, and I still get nostalgic every time I stir the chocolate and butter together. I love how a single square brings back the memory of her holiday cookie tins on the kitchen counter. Making it today feels like keeping a treasured family moment alive.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Fudge

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Slow cooker mulled wine fills my kitchen with the same warm citrus-and-spice aroma my mom’s house had every December. I toss everything in and let it gently simmer until the wine turns cozy and festive. Sharing it with friends and family feels like carrying on a holiday tradition we’ve held onto for generations.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Apple Tart with Puff Pastry

Apple tart with puff pastry gives me the same cozy aroma my mom’s pies used to fill the house with each fall. I layer the apples over the pastry, and the caramelization in the oven always feels like magic passed down through generations. Serving it warm with ice cream keeps the family tradition intact.
Get the Recipe: Apple Tart with Puff Pastry

Herb Cheese Ball

Herb cheese ball instantly brings me back to the holiday potlucks we had when I was a kid. I coat the cheese mixture in herbs, and it looks exactly like the appetizer my grandma passed down to my mom. Setting it out today keeps that familiar family recipe alive from one generation to the next.
Get the Recipe: Herb Cheese Ball

Holiday Ham

Holiday ham was the star of our family table growing up, and I love recreating that same sweet-and-savory centerpiece. I bake it with pineapple and brown sugar just like my mom taught me, and the caramelized glaze always takes me straight back to those big festive dinners. Serving it makes the whole meal feel rooted in tradition.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Ham

Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet cake has been in my family rotation forever, bringing those rich, nostalgic holiday flavors of cocoa, buttermilk, and cream cheese frosting to the table without fail. I still feel a little spark of excitement when I cut into that soft, vibrant crumb the same way I did at my grandma’s house. Baking it for gatherings keeps a beloved family tradition alive in the sweetest way.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake

3 Ingredient Fudge

Three-ingredient fudge hits the same nostalgic notes as the big batches my Grandma used to make for the holidays. I love how the chocolate and condensed milk melt together into a rich, velvety square that tastes like pure childhood. Sharing it with guests always feels like passing along a little piece of our family history.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Fudge